Final answer:
Agricultural land or farmland is used for growing crops and keeping animals, encompassing a variety of practices from crop cultivation to livestock grazing, heavily influenced by factors such as climate, water, and soil quality.
Explanation:
An area used for growing crops and keeping animals is known as agriculture land or farmland. In the United States, about half of the land is dedicated to the production of agricultural products. Interestingly, not every product grown on this land is for human consumption. Some farmers cultivate non-food products such as trees, cotton, and biofuel crops, like switchgrass, or even plants like marijuana for other uses. Additionally, a significant portion of this land is utilized in raising livestock, such as chickens, cows, and pigs, whose feed may consist of grains and other products not directly consumed by humans.
Agricultural landscapes in the U.S. are diverse, covering approximately 400 million acres with crops and over 600 million for grazing livestock. The land can be affected by suburban and commercial development but remains a cornerstone of economic activity and a critical element of our daily existence.
Apart from the U.S., different parts of the world also use land for agriculture uniquely. For instance, the savanna is traditionally used for grazing livestock. In Africa, management practices differ significantly, with some farmers managing the land sustainably by rotating grazing animals and allowing the land to rest, in contrast to nomadic practices that do not plan for sustainability, leading to soil erosion and environmental degradation.
Factors influencing agricultural decisions include climate, water availability, soil quality, and economic considerations, which together dictate the types of crops grown and animals raised.