Topic 5.8

Essential Knowledge

The Von Thünen Model of Agricultural Land Use 

The Von Thünen Model explains how agricultural land use is organized around a central market based on transportation costs, land value, and perishability of products. While the model provides a useful framework, real-world agriculture often deviates from its ideal pattern. 

 The Von Thünen model emphasizes transportation costs and distance from the market, but real agricultural regions do not always conform to the model. 

(1) Overview of the von Thünen Model 

Developed by Johann Heinrich von Thünen in the 19th century, the model explains how farmers choose what to produce based on profit maximization. 

Core Assumptions 

The model assumes: 

• A single, isolated city (the market) 
• Flat, featureless land 
• Uniform soil quality 
• No government intervention 
• Transportation costs increase with distance 

These assumptions create a simplified, idealized landscape. 

Concentric Rings of Agricultural Activity 

Moving outward from the central market: 

1. Market Gardening and Dairying
   • Highly perishable products 
   • High transportation costs 
   • Intensive land use 
   • Located closest to the city 
2. Forestry
   • Heavy, bulky goods (historically firewood) 
   • Transportation costs still significant 
   • Moderate land value 
3. Grain Farming
   • Less perishable 
   • Easier and cheaper to transport 
   • Requires larger land areas 
4. Ranching
   • Least perishable 
   • Lowest transportation costs 
   • Most extensive land use 
   • Located farthest from the market 

This pattern reflects decreasing land value and decreasing transportation costs per unit with distance. 

Why the Model Works (Conceptually) 

The Von Thünen Model helps explain: 

• Why intensive agriculture occurs near cities 
• Why extensive agriculture occurs farther away 
• How land value shapes farming decisions 
• The role of transportation costs in land use 

It reinforces bid-rent theory, showing that farmers closer to markets must produce high-value goods to afford higher land costs.  

Why Real-World Agriculture Deviates from the Model 

• Modern agricultural landscapes often do not form neat concentric rings. 

Technological Changes 

• Refrigeration reduces perishability 
• Improved transportation lowers costs 
• Global shipping allows long-distance trade 

Specialization and Cultural Factors 

• Regions specialize based on tradition or expertise 
• Climate and soil determine crop viability 
• Cultural food preferences shape production 

Global Markets 

• Agriculture is tied to international demand 
• Crops are produced far from consumers 
• Export agriculture disrupts local market orientation 

Government Policies 

• Subsidies influence what farmers grow 
• Zoning laws alter land use 
• Trade agreements shape agricultural regions 

Specialty Farming and Exceptions 

Specialty farming regions often break the von Thünen pattern. 

Examples include: 

• Vineyards located far from urban markets 
• Dairy operations outside expected zones 
• Export-oriented plantations disconnected from local markets 

These exceptions highlight the importance of resources, culture, and economic systems over simple distance-based models. 

Contextualization: 

Video #1: The Von Thunen Model 

Article #1: Contemporary addition to the Von Thunen Model 

In Practice

Essential Question: 

• Explain one way the von Thünen Model helps explain agricultural land use and one reason it does not always apply in the real world. 

Check for Understanding: 

 (copy these statements as you acknowledge they are true. If you don’t understand the topic, review it before moving on.) 

I can:  

• Explain why agriculture is becoming more corporate and large-scale 
• Describe the structure and assumptions of the von Thünen Model 
• Apply the model to hypothetical situations 
• Explain why real agricultural regions differ 
• Connect the model to bid-rent theory and commercial agriculture 

Vocabulary Review:  

Provide a shorthand working definition for each of the following terms. This means it needs to be in YOUR OWN WORDS. 

1. Von Thünen Model 
2. Global Supply Chain  
3. Commodity Dependency  
4. Global Food Distribution  

MCQ

(You only need to write the letter for the answer you select).

1. According to the von Thünen Model, which agricultural activity would be located closest to a central market?

A. Ranching
B. Grain farming
C. Market gardening and dairying
D. Forestry

2. Which of the following developments has most reduced the ability of the von Thünen Model to accurately predict modern agricultural land-use patterns?

A. Increased reliance on local markets
B. Improved transportation and refrigeration technologies
C. Growth of subsistence agriculture
D. Decreased international trade

3. A vineyard located hundreds of miles from a major urban market successfully exports wine around the world. This situation is best explained by which limitation of the von Thünen Model?

A. The model assumes multiple competing markets.
B. The model accounts for cultural traditions and global demand.
C. Real-world agriculture is influenced by specialization, global markets, and environmental conditions.
D. The model predicts that all agriculture should occur near cities.