Questions: 10 A Reading Guide Key Issue 1 Page 347 Where did agriculture originate? 1. Agriculture - 2. Cultivate - 3. Crop - 4. Discuss the differences in percentages of farmers in Developing countries compared to the U.S. 5. What percentage of people are hunter gatherers? Why do you think there are so few? (your opinion) 6. Agricultural Revolution - 7. Identify 4 crop hearth and list one main crop from each area. 8. Identify 2 animal hearths and what animals are associated with those hearths. 9. Subsistence agriculture - 10. Commercial agriculture -

Agriculture Origin: Agriculture is believed to have originated independently in several regions around the world. The Fertile Crescent in the Middle East is often cited as one of the earliest centers of agriculture, where wheat and barley were first domesticated around 10,000 years ago. Other early centers include the Yangtze and Yellow River basins in China, where rice was cultivated, and Mesoamerica, where maize was developed.

Cultivate: To cultivate means to prepare and use land for crops or gardening. It involves various activities such as plowing, sowing, and nurturing plants to ensure their growth.

Crop: A crop is a plant or plant product that is grown and harvested extensively for profit or subsistence. Examples include grains like wheat and rice, vegetables like potatoes and carrots, and fruits like apples and bananas.

Differences in Percentages of Farmers: In developing countries, a significant portion of the population is engaged in agriculture, often exceeding 50% in some regions. This is due to the reliance on subsistence farming and limited industrialization. In contrast, in the United States, less than 2% of the population is involved in farming. This is due to advanced agricultural technology, mechanization, and a focus on commercial agriculture, which allows fewer people to produce more food.

Percentage of Hunter-Gatherers: Today, less than 1% of the global population are hunter-gatherers. The decline in hunter-gatherer societies is largely due to the spread of agriculture, which provides a more stable and reliable food source. Additionally, modern societal structures and land use have limited the areas where traditional hunting and gathering can be practiced. In my opinion, the shift to agriculture and urbanization has made the hunter-gatherer lifestyle less viable in most parts of the world.

Agricultural Revolution: The Agricultural Revolution refers to the period when human societies transitioned from hunting and gathering to agriculture and settlement. This transformation began around 10,000 years ago and led to the development of civilizations, as stable food supplies allowed for population growth and the establishment of complex societies.

Crop Hearths:

• Fertile Crescent: Wheat
• Yangtze River Basin: Rice
• Mesoamerica: Maize (corn)
• Andes: Potatoes

Animal Hearths:

• Fertile Crescent: Sheep and goats
• Central Asia: Horses

Subsistence Agriculture: Subsistence agriculture is a type of farming in which the primary focus is to grow enough food to feed the farmer's family, with little or no surplus for sale. This form of agriculture is common in developing countries and often involves traditional methods and small-scale farms.

Commercial Agriculture: Commercial agriculture is the production of crops and livestock for sale in markets, often involving large-scale operations and advanced technology. This type of agriculture is prevalent in developed countries and focuses on maximizing yield and profit.