1. Von Thunen’s Theories of LandVon Thunen’s Theories of Land
Use and AgriculturalUse and Agricultural
OrganizationOrganization
•How is agricultural land organized?How is agricultural land organized?
•How does this impact the cost of rent/purchasing land?How does this impact the cost of rent/purchasing land?

2. Land Use and AgricultureLand Use and Agriculture
TermsTerms
Fallow – the practice of farming land, harvesting,Fallow – the practice of farming land, harvesting,
tilling (but not planting), and repeating the cycletilling (but not planting), and repeating the cycle
CBD – central business district (town, city, hearth)CBD – central business district (town, city, hearth)
Bid rent – how much someone is willing to pay for aBid rent – how much someone is willing to pay for a
particular piece of landparticular piece of land

3. TermsTerms
Three-Field Farming—One third of the field isThree-Field Farming—One third of the field is
fallowed, while the other two parts arefallowed, while the other two parts are
harvested in Spring and Autumn. One third isharvested in Spring and Autumn. One third is
usually a grain—winter wheat or rye, one third isusually a grain—winter wheat or rye, one third is
crops like beans, peas or lentilscrops like beans, peas or lentils
Enclosed fields—you have crops in some fieldsEnclosed fields—you have crops in some fields
and animals grazing in others. The fields areand animals grazing in others. The fields are
enclosed—fenced—to keep the animals fromenclosed—fenced—to keep the animals from
wandering into the wrong areas. Then youwandering into the wrong areas. Then you
rotate the pasture and crop landrotate the pasture and crop land

4. Johann Heinrich Von ThünenJohann Heinrich Von Thünen
 Developed an agricultural model to explain the locations andDeveloped an agricultural model to explain the locations and
costs of agriculture in and around a CBDcosts of agriculture in and around a CBD
 He used mathematics to explain the cost of farming inHe used mathematics to explain the cost of farming in
multiple environmentsmultiple environments
 RR == YY((pp −− cc) −) − YFmYFm
 R = rentR = rent p = production costsp = production costs
 Y = yieldY = yield c = market pricec = market price
 F = transportation costsF = transportation costs
 m = distance to marketm = distance to market

5. ApplicationsApplications
By analyzing the consumer costs, production,By analyzing the consumer costs, production,
and geographic limitations, Von Thunen’s modeland geographic limitations, Von Thunen’s model
could help landowners and agriculturalistscould help landowners and agriculturalists
determine adequate rent for land and potentialdetermine adequate rent for land and potential
profitsprofits
This model can be been modified to takeThis model can be been modified to take
physical features into account (for instance thephysical features into account (for instance the
“model modified by river” diagram in your books“model modified by river” diagram in your books
on page 330)on page 330)

6. William AlonsoWilliam Alonso
 William Alonso used von ThunenWilliam Alonso used von Thunen’’s model to evaluate thes model to evaluate the
cost of land in an agricultural region (or industrial center)cost of land in an agricultural region (or industrial center)
 The farther away from the CBD, the less money peopleThe farther away from the CBD, the less money people
were willing to pay due to the limited access to the CBDwere willing to pay due to the limited access to the CBD
 How can this be applied today?How can this be applied today?

9. WeaknessesWeaknesses
 Assumed that all land had similar siteAssumed that all land had similar site
characteristics and uniform qualitycharacteristics and uniform quality
 Failed to consider that social customs andFailed to consider that social customs and
government policies influence the attractiveness ofgovernment policies influence the attractiveness of
plants and animals for a commercial farmerplants and animals for a commercial farmer
 Isolated state, surrounded by wilderness, no roads,Isolated state, surrounded by wilderness, no roads,
transport is by ox carttransport is by ox cart

10. More Weaknesses:More Weaknesses:
 Didn’Didn’t take into considerationt take into consideration
 RoadsRoads
 RailroadsRailroads
 Refrigerated TrucksRefrigerated Trucks
 Other modern technologyOther modern technology

11. Relevant?Relevant?
 Land costs are still more closer into citiesLand costs are still more closer into cities
 Transportation costs continue to be relevantTransportation costs continue to be relevant
 Consider the “Buy Local” movementConsider the “Buy Local” movement
**It does have application today, but probably a bit of**It does have application today, but probably a bit of
limited applicationlimited application

12. Art ProjectArt Project
 Make one ring for each of Von Thunen’s ringsMake one ring for each of Von Thunen’s rings
 Each ring needs to state WHAT is grown there and WHY it is inEach ring needs to state WHAT is grown there and WHY it is in
that ringthat ring
 Color each ring like the item that grows/pastures thereColor each ring like the item that grows/pastures there
 On the back of your largest ring, write down the failings andOn the back of your largest ring, write down the failings and
assumptions made in Von Thunen’s model. Why might it notassumptions made in Von Thunen’s model. Why might it not
work perfectly in every situation?work perfectly in every situation?

13. Art ProjectArt Project