Vol. 33, No. 1, Spring/Summer 1995- "Agriculture"
THE AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE OF SUMMIT COUNTY, COLORADO
(pp. 3 - 22)
Sandra F. Pritchard
West Chester University
West Chester, Pennsylvania
Abstract
Ranching began in the early 1860s when herdsmen drove their cattle and sheep over the Continental Divide in the summer to graze on the lush grasses of the Blue River Valley. Ranches tended to be large because of the acreage needed to raise sufficient food for winter feed. Because of Summit County's dry summers, a steady water supply was a necessity. Water was purchased through local courts. Ranchers dug water ditches to irrigate as well as to drain pastures and meadows. Residents experimented with a variety of crops, choosing those that could mature in the short frost free growing season. Markets for local produce such as mountain head lettuce stretched across the country. Cattle and sheep left Dillon daily by rail for Denver feed lots. The biggest problem facing ranchers in Summit County was not the weather, which they had learned to deal with, but the prices they received for their agricultural products. In this, they were at the mercy of situations beyond their control.
(pp. 23 - 43)
James P. Lewandowski
Department of Geography and Planning
West Chester University
West Chester, Pennsylvania
Abstract
Gains in farm productivity, net farm income, and indirect farm income are more closely tied to agricultural exports than ever before. Hence, farm prosperity increasingly depends on large and growing markets for agricultural exports. Pennsylvania is the nation's 11 th leading agricultural exporter. Mexico is growing more important as a destination for Pennsylvania's agricultural exports, accounting for 38% of the state's total volume increase between 1987 and 1992 despite Mexico's protectionist policy structure. The signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement has revised that structure. The NAFTA immediately removes tariffs on 57% of Mexico's total agricultural imports from Pennsylvania. This paper estimates the impact on Pennsylvania's agricultural exports of the NAFTA. A basic Armington-type model is employed to estimate the additional dollar volume of Pennsylvania's agricultural exports to Mexico resulting from the NAFTA's tariff adjustments. Results are statistically significant, and indicate substantial gains in export volume.
(pp. 44 - 70)
Anthony J. Vega
Department of Geography and Earth Science
Clarion University
Clarion, Pennsylvania
Abstract
This study examines all North Atlantic tropical cyclones which made landfall in the contiguous United States between 1930 and 1989. The study period was stratified into two time periods and a comparative analysis was made of the frequency and intensity of East Coast versus Gulf Coast tropical cyclones. Significant trends were found concerning both the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones along both landfall regions. Tropical cyclone frequencies were significantly higher for both landfall zones during the first temporal period (1930-59). Additionally, cyclone intensities were significantly higher in East Coast cyclones than in Gulf Coast cyclones, especially during the period 1950-69. Both landfall regions showed a decrease in tropical cyclone frequency during the Sahel drought years (1970 - mid 1980s) which gives evidence that global circulation anomalies are responsible for tropical cyclone trends in the climatic record. Reasons for these trends remain speculative and are discussed in detail. However, equatorward displacement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone and the Atlantic Subtropical High Pressure system are thought to be critical factors in the development and movement in this cyclogenesis region.
EXPECTED IMPACT OF TOURISM ON THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY OF WINDBER, PENNSYLVANIA
(pp. 71 - 89)
Veronica R. Wilson
Department of Geography and Planning
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana, Pennsylvania
Abstract
This survey-based study questioned residents, public officials, and business owners in Windber/Scalp Level on their perceptions concerning how proposed tourism would affect the business community. While most respondents felt the tourism would be beneficial to the community, the public officials were most optimistic and the business owners were the least optimistic. There was also some disagreement within the three groups about the steps needed to prepare for the changes