Agricultural Territory

The image above is a wheat harvester. In Canada, wheat is a staple. Staple: is a crop that a territory can

produce very easily and makes lots of money from selling it (exporting).

The western provinces in Canada, especially Saskatchewan produce wheat.

Canadian wheat is exported (send goods or services to another country for sale) all over the world.

This generates large profits for Canada and its farmers.

Wheat is primarily used to make flour. The grains are grinded into a powder

and then treated in order to preserve the product.

Some products that use wheat include:1.Breads (white and whole grain)2.Pasta3.Any type of dough (pizza, pastries, etc.)4.Cereal5.Beer and liquors 6.Flour

Whole-wheat vs. White flours

• Not all flours are created equal: White flour is made from heavily refined and processed wheat grains, while whole-wheat flour is made from grains that have not undergone heavy processing. Whole-wheat and white flours differ in their nutritional value.

• Fiber Content• Effect on Blood Sugar• Vitamin Content• Eat More Whole-Wheat Flour

Sharing a territory All over the world, cities and farmland are

located at a short distance from one another.

It is important that farmland is preserved because humans need to consume food in order to survive.

Also, it would only be logical to conclude that food production will increase as the population nearby rises.

However, there is a problem with a growing population.

For example, in Quebec most of the population lives in the St. Lawrence Plain.

This is also where most of Quebec’s farmland is located.

As the Quebec population increases, more land will be needed to build new communities or expand existing ones.

The growing cities begin to take up space that would normally be used for farmland.

In the future, we may not have enough farmland to produce enough food for the entire population if cities continue to grow.

Agricultural Territories in Quebec

In Quebec, cities and farms have developed alongside one another for many years.

The first farms and cities were started in the St. Lawrence valley.

This area has a suitable climate and fertile soil, which made it ideal for farming.

Also, the river made shipping and travel very easy which allowed cities to develop.

Some crops are adaptable* to less fertile land.

*Adaptable: able to change or be changed in order to fit or work better in some situation

Also, these type of crops tend to survive in harsh climate too (ex: cold winters).

Unfortunately, they are less profitable for the farmers.

Farmers are concerned about this because they rely on profits from crop sales to cover their farming costs.

In Quebec, farmers make the most profit producing or selling the following: dairy products, cattle, pork and fodder*.

*Fodder: is crops used to feed livestock.

Over the years, cities in Quebec have been encroaching* on farmland.

Encroaching: to gradually move or go into an area that is beyond the usual or desired limits

Although Quebec’s land is considered fertile, its soil and climate are not suitable for the most profitable (moneymaking) types of farming.

Divided SpaceSeigneurial systemThis system of dividing farmland was used in many French colonies over 400 years ago (17th century).Land was given to a wealthy seigneur (landlord) by the king of France.The landlord would then divide up his land into a system of ranges*.*Ranges are long narrow rectangles that usually boarder a road and water.

Farmers would be allowed to farm the land.

Farmers would give the landlord a “tithe” (tax).

The ranges were very close together.

There was a strong sense of community and mutual help.

Today, disputes arise over farming techniques. For example: A farmer that uses a lot of chemical fertilizers may accidently contaminate the neighbouring farm which only grows organic crops.

Today, the number of farms in Quebec is decreasing.

However, the size of farms is getting bigger.

This means that wealthy farmers and large corporations are buying smaller family farms.

Many of these farms are producing high profit crops.

Quebec Dairy Production Farming has changed a lot over the last

few decades.

Today, most farmers use chemical fertilizers and “smart” crops (genetically modified).

However, dairy farming practises have not changed in any significant way over years.

Dairy farming is the most important agricultural industry in Quebec.

• In Quebec, one in four farms are dairy farms.• Quebec produces 1/3 of Canada’s dairy

production.• There are 3 major dairy producers in

Quebec.• Agropur, Saputo, and Parmalat produce

more than 75% of all of Quebec’s milk.

Organized Space Rural: countryside, farmland, less

developed, small population. Urban: city, highly developed, large

population

Farms contribution to the development of rural communities

• Farms provide jobs, development of retail (merchandise that is sold at a set price) and public services*.

*Pubic services: the business of supplying something to the members of a community

: something that is done to help people rather than to make a profit

Farming associations Veteran farmers (experienced) develop

groups to help young farmers.

They also set prices and allocate (set aside) money for the purchase of new equipment.

• FCC extends Young Farmer Loan Program• Regina, Saskatchewan, November 6, 2013 – Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has

extended its loan program designed to help young farmers purchase or improve farmland and buildings.

• “Young people are seeing a bright future in agriculture and we share that vision,” said FCC President and CEO Greg Stewart. “We listen to our customers and are committed to developing products and services tailored to young farmers and the unique needs of the agriculture industry.”

• Launched in March 2012, the Young Farmer Loan Program offers qualified producers who are under 40 years of age loans of up to $500,000 to purchase or improve farmland and buildings. The loan includes features and options that address this demographic and support their long-term success, including variable rates at prime plus 0.5%, a special fixed rate and no loan processing fees.

• FCC has approved more than $500 million in loans since the program was announced, and is now doubling its commitment to $1 billion for lending to young farmers.

Global Ties

• Quebec is linked to the larger global network.

• The system of importing and exporting connects most countries in the world.

• Today, a large portion of the food we eat comes from far away; especially outside of the growing season.

Concentration Phenomenon Concentration farming: It refers to big

corporations that buy farms to meet their own needs.

One example is McDonald’s Corporation.

It regularly buys farms in order to grow products such as wheat, potatoes, vegetables, and raise cattle/chicken.

Concentration also means that there will be less variety (less choice) in the types of farms found in a specific area.

Consequences of Concentration

1. Overall drop in the number of farms in a specific area.

2. Increase in size of the remaining farms.3. Loss of family farms and farming

communities.4. Less diversity of produce.5. Increase in food prices (because certain

foods will become rare).6. Higher pollution levels.

Agriculturally Zoned Land Since 1978, agricultural land has been

protected by law. Agricultural land is zoned as a “green

zone” In Quebec 6.4 million hectares* are

protected.*10,000 square metres (100 m by 100 m)

The law states that only farming and farming-related activities are allowed in these green zones.

The reason for this law is to protect farmland for future generations.

Why is this law necessary?

1. Keep family farms and farming communities alive.

2. Ensure food production (enough farmland to produce food!)

3. Protect against urban sprawl*

*When the city takes up more and more space for its activities, such as highways, housing, golf courses, etc., thus reducing farming space.

Are these laws effective?(Are they working?)

This law continues to remain controversial (debatable).

Those that agree with the law, say that it would put a stop to greedy developers buying and building over farmland.

Those that are against the laws say that they do not go far enough.

Production without destruction

• Many seem to associate farming with a “natural” and simple way of life.

• However, the creation of a farm means land and forests need to be cleared.

• Furthermore, an active farm requires the use of heavy machines, pesticides, and diversion (change the direction of) of steams and rivers.

Today farming has the following effects on the environment:

1. The use of heavy fertilizers and pesticides will erode the soil. The pesticides will make their way into streams and groundwater.

2. Destruction of animal habitats. This may lead to the extinction of certain plants and animals.

3. The use of heavy chemicals may be hazardous to the health of farm workers and consumers.

• Changes to farming occurred around the 1950’s.

• During this time farming became more intensive.

• Farmers started to produce crops and products that are more profitable; animal feed, livestock.

• These intensive farming practices also damage soil and pollutes water.

Three Sources of Pollution There are three types of pollution:

1. Agriculture2. Urban (city)3. Industrial sector

Industry and urban form “point source pollution”, which means the source of pollution is identified and well-known.

Laws have been put in place to help fix the situation.

Agriculture is “non point source pollution”, which means pollution spreads outside of farms.

Watershed Management

It is an area that is drained by a single lake or river.

They have natural borders usually hills or mountains. All the water that runs off these borders ends up in the water.

The problem is that farms are usually located within these borders.

Therefore, all of the waste, pesticides and fertilizers that are not absorbed by the crops will end up in the water.

Hog Farming in Quebec

Quebec is the largest producer of pork in Canada.

Hog farms produce a lot of waste.

Waste which eventually ends up in our watersheds.

Hog waste contains high levels of methane and other

types of chemicals that can damage our water supply.

In Quebec, the number of hog farms has been

increasing and crop farms have been decreasing.

Hog waste does make an excellent fertilizer.

However, Quebec is running out of farmland therefore, there is less land to spread this waste.

Another problem is that hog waste is liquid, which makes it very easy to end up in our water supplies.

Intensive vs. Sustainable Agriculture

Intensive Farming: • It is based on high productivity and high profit

over a short period of time.• Farms are larger and use fertilizers and pesticides.• Highly competitive • Usually one type of crop is grown on site.

Sustainable Farming:• It is based on meeting the food needs of a small

number of people (ex: family).

This type of farming uses natural seeds and environmentally safe farming methods.

One example is organic* farms.

*Organic means that farmers work as much as possible with natural products and practices.

Organic crops do not have any chemicals or genetic materials mixed into them.

Close to a third of Quebec farms have become organic.