3: Agriculture and Foodways

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What you eat and where your food comes from are fundamental issues. Our foodways greatly affect agricultural practices both near and far away. In turn, agricultural practices have profound effects on the environment, the economy, our diets, and our health.

About half of all the land in the US is dedicated to the production of agricultural products. However, not all “agriculture” products are consumed as food. In fact, most agricultural lands in the US don’t grow human food. Some farmers grow things like trees, flowers, cotton, switchgrass (for biofuel), or even marijuana. In addition, millions of acres are dedicated to the production of food that is not eaten directly by people, but rather by chickens, cows, and pigs, which are in turn eaten by humans.

CHINO, CA.png — Figure 3-1: Chino, CA. These Holstein dairy cattle are part of a factory farm system created to deliver vast quantities of milk to Southern California. The constant demand for land suitable for suburbanization threatens to push agriculture further from Los Angeles, altering prices for milk and the likelihood people will buy cow’s milk for their cereal.

Everyone eats, so the landscapes of food production and food consumption are rich sources of information about human cultures. On the consumption side, restauranteurs, grocers, and other food vendors all vie for the attention of hungry customers. Together these landscapes represent a $300 billion industry that employs hundreds of thousands of people and feeds millions.

For most people in the world, farmlands and/or ranchlands are common scenes, and people have a deep knowledge of the processes by which their food comes to their bowls. In the United States though, most folks have a poor understanding of the systems that make our food so wildly abundant, and for many, very inexpensive. Only about 2 percent of Americans are employed in agricultural industries, so for the 98 percent who are not farmers, why we eat what we eat is a bit of mystery. It is important to our survival that the public knows something of the basics about the interaction between agriculture practice and dietary foodways. In this chapter, we will explore some of the factors that affect our diet by examining where and how the agricultural economy works, and how those processes affect what you routinely eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The landscape of food varies because of the diversity of farming techniques and the numerous ways in which we buy food at restaurants, grocery stores, and farmers' markets. As you move through the landscape, look for examples of food production. What types of farming exist near your hometown or college? What crops are grown to feed animals rather than humans? Are farmers growing staples; food meant for daily consumption, or are they growing non-staple items, perhaps for export, or mostly for rich people? What sorts of restaurants are popping up everywhere? What are trendy people eating? Where do you buy food? Where do you eat?

3.1: Why do we eat this stuff?
This page explores the complex factors influencing food preferences, such as geography and cultural history. It highlights how migration and the Columbian Exchange have shaped American diets, leading to diverse family tastes. While cultural food practices evolve slowly, lifestyle changes can cause disconnects, contributing to issues like obesity. Regions with limited diversity often retain traditional diets, exemplifying the concept of cultural lag.
3.2: The Geography of Barbecue (BBQ)
This page explores BBQ cuisine in the US South, highlighting how geography shapes local food traditions. Originating in the 1600s from Spanish influences, BBQ serves as a method for preserving meat, particularly in poorer communities. Unique regional styles have emerged, featuring different meats and flavoring techniques, such as sauces and rubs. Side dishes further enhance these BBQ styles, showcasing local ingredients and agricultural practices.
3.3: Agricultural Regions
This page explains how geographic factors shape farmers' agricultural choices across the U.S., with distinct regions like the Corn Belt and Wheat Belt focusing on specific crops due to climate and water availability. It highlights challenges in the Southeast and Pacific Northwest that lead farmers to adapt their crops, while specialized areas like Georgia and California reflect local conditions.
3.4: Von Thünen’s Model
This page explores Von Thünen's Model, highlighting how agricultural location, weather, and economics affect farming, particularly the value of nearby land for intensive crops versus distant land for grains. It discusses U.S. agricultural policies that keep sugar prices high while corn remains cheap, causing manufacturers to relocate and resulting in a reliance on corn for food.
3.5: Agriculture around the World
This page discusses global farming challenges, focusing on subsistence agriculture outside North America, where poor soil and harsh climates necessitate efficient techniques. It highlights the prevalence of plantation agriculture in developing regions, which faces market volatility and over-reliance on cash crops, driving food insecurity. Historical issues like colonial land tenure have created economic disparities.
3.6: Agricultural Landscapes
This page discusses the extensive arable land in the U.S. and its historical land division systems, including the metes and bounds and township and range methods. It highlights how these systems shaped local politics and economies, promoting democracy and middle-class growth. The text also compares long lot systems in France, which encouraged community and equal access to resources, with Spanish land grants that resulted in concentrated wealth.

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