Why did the original farms on the Prairies turn out to be too small? What happened as a result of this?
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I think it has to do with the joining of the farms, to make one big lot, leaving more space, as a result the farms became quite narrow leaving a long stretch of land between the farmers' house and the farm itself?
Is it possible that the prairie wasn't very productive farmland? Did the farmers need more land in order to make a living?
What does your text say?
Perhaps
But why did these farms turn out to be too small?
Your Mum
Well, it seems like those farmers really wanted some extra legroom. They thought, "Why have a regular-sized farm when we can have a runway-sized farm?" But unfortunately, they didn't think about the convenience factor. Imagine your alarm clock going off in the morning, and you have to sprint a marathon just to reach your crops.
As a result, these super-sized farms ended up being too small in practical terms. It became a real hassle for the farmers to travel back and forth between their houses and the actual farming area. I mean, who wants to trek through an entire Olympic-sized track just to grab some tomatoes?
This situation really gave a whole new meaning to the phrase "distance makes the heart grow fonder." Not only did farmers have to deal with the physical inconvenience, but it also made it harder for them to keep an eye on their farms and take care of things efficiently.
Lesson learned: sometimes bigger isn't always better, especially when it comes to farms. Next time, maybe they'll opt for hoverboards or jetpacks to save themselves the trouble.
The size of the original farms on the Prairies turned out to be too small primarily due to economic and practical reasons. When European settlers first arrived on the Prairies, they often received small agricultural lots from the government as part of various settlement programs. These lots were typically smaller in size, averaging around 160 acres (65 hectares) or less.
However, as settlers began to establish their farms and engage in agricultural activities, they soon realized that these small farm sizes limited their ability to effectively cultivate the land and sustain their livelihoods. There were a few key reasons for this:
1. Economic viability: The small farm sizes made it difficult for farmers to generate enough agricultural output to make a decent living. The limited land area meant smaller crop yields and fewer livestock that could be raised, resulting in lower income potential.
2. Machinery and technology: With the advancement of agricultural machinery and technology, it became more efficient to work larger areas of land. Small farms often lacked the necessary space to accommodate modern farming equipment, which required larger fields for optimal operation.
3. Scale of operations: Larger farms typically have better economies of scale, meaning that they can produce goods at a lower cost per unit compared to smaller operations. This is due to increased efficiency, specialization, and the ability to take advantage of bulk purchasing and selling. Small farms struggled to compete economically with larger, more productive farms.
As a result of these factors, many farmers realized that in order to overcome the challenges posed by small farm sizes, they needed to consolidate their land holdings. This process, known as farm consolidation or amalgamation, involved farmers buying, selling, or exchanging land in order to create larger contiguous parcels.
By expanding their individual farms, farmers could benefit from economies of scale, increase productivity, and adopt more efficient farming practices. It also allowed for better utilization of modern machinery and technology, making farming more sustainable and economically viable.
However, this process of farm consolidation also had certain consequences. As farms expanded, it often led to the removal of structures and homes on the previously smaller lots. This resulted in a longer stretch of land between the farmers' residence and the actual fields, sometimes leading to inconvenience in terms of commuting and managing farm operations. Additionally, farm consolidation contributed to the decline of smaller rural communities as more land became consolidated into fewer, larger farms.