AP Human Geography Flashcards: Challenges of Contemporary Agriculture
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 11 cards to help you master important concepts.
Define Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA).
CSA is a food production model where consumers pay a farm upfront for a "share" of the upcoming harvest, directly connecting producers and consumers and influencing food consumption patterns.
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Define Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA).
CSA is a food production model where consumers pay a farm upfront for a "share" of the upcoming harvest, directly connecting producers and consumers and influencing food consumption patterns.
What is aquaculture?
Aquaculture is an agricultural innovation involving the farming of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants, which has sparked debates over its sustainability and environmental impact.
What are the primary debates surrounding agricultural innovations like biotechnology and GMOs?
Debates focus on their sustainability, impact on soil and water usage, potential reductions in biodiversity, and the consequences of extensive fertilizer and pesticide use.
Identify two non-environmental challenges of feeding a global population.
Key challenges include a lack of food access (food insecurity and food deserts) and problems with food distribution systems that prevent food from reaching those who need it.
List three examples of movements that influence individual food choices.
Movements influencing food choice include urban farming, organic farming, fair trade, local-food movements, and dietary shifts.
How does suburbanization pose a challenge to contemporary agriculture?
Suburbanization causes a loss of usable agricultural land as cities expand, converting farms into residential or commercial areas and reducing the capacity for food production.
A consumer buys only produce grown within 50 miles of their home. What contemporary agricultural movement does this choice reflect?
This choice reflects the influence of local-food movements, which are patterns of food consumption that prioritize and support nearby food producers.
Besides location and economies of scale, what other economic factor affects food-production practices?
Government policies, such as subsidies, regulations, and trade agreements, have significant economic effects on how food is produced and distributed.
How do economies of scale affect food-production practices?
Economies of scale, where larger operations have lower per-unit costs, can give large food-processing facilities and farms a significant economic advantage, impacting market competition and the viability of smaller producers.
What is a food desert?
A food desert is an area characterized by a lack of food access, specifically limited availability of affordable and nutritious food, which is a key challenge in feeding a population.
What are value-added specialty crops?
These are crops that are processed in some way to increase their market value, such as turning fruit into jam or milk into cheese, often associated with local or organic farming.