commercial agriculture

1.) Describe the basic principles of several forms of crop based commercial agriculture.  What is the idea of "agribusiness" and how does this idea contribute to agriculture in the developed world? 

Agribusiness is the system of commercial farming found in developed countries because farming is integrated into a large food-production industry. 

2.) Identify and describe the 6 forms of commercial agriculture in the developed world. 

Grain farming- is heavily mechanized, conducted on large farms, and oriented to consumer preferences. these farms are also generally located in regions that are too dry for mixed crop and livestock agriculture

Mediterranean Agriculture- this type of agriculture exists primarily on the lands that border the Mediterranean Sea in Southern Europe, North Africa and western Asia. Every Mediterranean area borders a sea. Prevailing sea winds provide moisture and moderate winter temperatures which is good for the agriculture here. Most of the crops here are grown for human consumption rather than animal consumption.

Commercial gardening and fruit gardening-  this is the predominant type of agriculture in the southeastern US. This type of agriculture is also known as truck farming. This allows for crops to be sold all over the US.

Mixed crop and livestock- commercial farming characterized by integration of crops and livestock; most of the crops are fed to animals rather than consumed directly by humans

Dairy- a form of commercial agriculture that specializes in the production of milk and other dairy products

Ranching- a form of commercial agriculture in which livestock graze over an extensive area. 

3.) Explain the importance of access to markets and describe how this has impacted our organization of land use.

Because the purpose of commercial farming is to sell produce off the farm, the distance from the farm to the market influences the farmers choice of the crop to plant.