Von ThunenVon Thunen’’s Model s Model of Agricultural of Agricultural

Land Use Land Use

Von Thunen Model: Von Thunen Model:

The first location The first location theory theory

A concentric A concentric modelmodel

Contains six assumptionsContains six assumptions 1.1. There is There is only one market availableonly one market available, self-, self-

sufficient with no outside influence. sufficient with no outside influence.

2.2. All All farmers are market orientedfarmers are market oriented, producing , producing goods for sale. (Not subsistence.)goods for sale. (Not subsistence.)

3.3. The The physical environment is uniformphysical environment is uniform; there ; there are no rivers or mountains. are no rivers or mountains.

4.4. All points at equal distancesAll points at equal distances from the from the market have equal access to the market. market have equal access to the market.

5.5. All farmers act to All farmers act to maximize profitsmaximize profits..

6.6. The The dietary preferencesdietary preferences of the population of the population are those of are those of Germanic EuropeansGermanic Europeans. .

Land rent Land rent The main concept is land rent or land The main concept is land rent or land

value, which will value, which will decreasedecrease as one gets as one gets farther away from central markets. farther away from central markets.

Rent is highest in the closest proximity to Rent is highest in the closest proximity to urban markets. (urban markets. (Bid-Rent TheoryBid-Rent Theory)) Thus, agricultural products that have Thus, agricultural products that have

intensive land use, have high transportation intensive land use, have high transportation costs and were in great demand would be costs and were in great demand would be located close to urban markets. located close to urban markets.

Major concepts: Major concepts:

Distance from the cityDistance from the city Preservation of foodPreservation of food Amount of space Amount of space

So……….So……….1.1. Dairying and gardening of fruits and Dairying and gardening of fruits and

vegetables would be closer to the urban vegetables would be closer to the urban market while…market while…

2.2. Timber and firewood for fuel and building Timber and firewood for fuel and building materials would be in the second zone. materials would be in the second zone.

3.3. Mixed farming, commercial grain and Mixed farming, commercial grain and orchards and orchards and

4.4. Extensive cattle ranching would be located Extensive cattle ranching would be located farther away. Transportation is cheap: the farther away. Transportation is cheap: the animals can walk to the city for butchering. animals can walk to the city for butchering.

Why?Why?

Some products spoiled more quickly, Some products spoiled more quickly, needed more sensitive transportation, or needed more sensitive transportation, or generate higher prices at marketgenerate higher prices at market

These products mean the farmer can These products mean the farmer can afford higher land rent. afford higher land rent.

It doesnIt doesn’’t always look the t always look the same: same:

Inference of Von Thunen’s Model to Continental United States

Vegetables

Dairy

Cotton andTobacco

Corn andSoybeansWheat

Beef Cattleand Sheep

Forest

Corn andSoybeans

Wheat

Beef Cattleand Sheep

Cotton andTobacco

Forest

SpecialtyCrops

SpecialtyCrops

Dairy

Vegetables

Assumptions1. New York City the only market2. Crops ranked by rent paying ability3. No terrain or climatic variation

Assumptions1. New York City the only market2. Crops ranked by rent paying ability3. No terrain variation 4. Climatic variation consideredA B

RSGC Metro Activity 2014 RSGC Metro Activity 2014 – Dairy, Juices and Eggs– Dairy, Juices and Eggs

Fruits and VegFruits and Veg

Canada’s farming patterns!Canada’s farming patterns!

TaskTask

Look at the several items from the store to anaylsis how von Thunen's theory no longer applies to Toronto.

Next, how could you or could you argue that von Thunen still applies using several items from a store…