Chapter 3: Agriculture and Foodways

This chapter seeks to help you understand why we eat what we eat, partly by explaining why farmers grow what they grow. Of course, the question "Where?" figures prominently in the answers provided in this chapter.

Several case studies function to elaborate the geographic, or spatial aspects of farming and foodways, particularly in the United States.

FOURTH EDITION (2026)

Photo of a table heavily laden with carrots and beets and other root vegetables.

Chapter 3.1 Introduction to Agriculture and Foodways

Chapter 3.2

Agricultural Regions

Farmstead with white barns and blue silo

Chapter 3.3 Distance, Policy, and Food Systems

Sign with gears attached. It reads, "Historical Place Kahuku Sugar Mill" and below it Japanese and Chinese characters.

Chapter 3.4
International Agriculture

An aerial image of rice fields with a irrigation canal.

Chapter 3.5

Agricultural Landscapes

Third Edition

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updated July 1, 2020

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Chapter 3 Version 3.11.pdf

Second Edition

Chapter 3 (Google)

Chapter 3 (Dropbox)

You will need Adobe Reader, or similar software to properly read the file.