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Chapter 2
is one of our country’s leading producers of
milk andmilk products, such as ice cream.
Our state has many kinds of
livestock
farms. These are farms where animals and
their products are raised and sold. Livestock
farms include beef cattle, chickens, hogs,
sheep, and turkeys. Some farms are even
trying to raise emus! Our state also is a
leading producer of eggs. Millions of
chicken and turkey eggs are produced each
year. Corn, hay, oats, and wheat are our
chief field crops grown to feed the animals.
Thevalleysof southernPennsylvaniaand
the Lake Erie Plain also are well known for
their fruit farms. These farms are called
orchards. Our state is a leading producer of
apples and peaches. Other important fruit
products are pears, cherries, strawberries,
and blueberries. The rich sandy soil of the
Lake Erie Plain is well suited for grapes.
Our state has other kinds of special farms.
A farm that raises vegetables or fruits for sale
is known as a
truck farm
. Important crops
are potatoes, onions, and tomatoes. Chester
and Delaware counties are well known for
mushroom farming. Our state ranks first in
producing mushrooms. Another kind of
farm is a tree farm. Indiana County is a
leading producer of Christmas trees.
Forests
Y
ou have learned in Chapter 1 that
our state is covered in forests. Forests
are a renewable natural resource.
Many of our forests are located in the
Allegheny Plateau and the mountain
ridges in the Ridge and Valley region.
Pennsylvania hasmore forest land set aside
for the public than all the other states in
theNortheast region.
Our forests are amixture of
hardwoods
and
softwoods
. Hardwoods are oak,
maple, elm, and sycamore. Softwoods are
hemlocks and different kinds of pine trees.
Forests are very important to the people
of Pennsylvania. Forests provide great
beauty for people. Many people enjoy
hiking, picnicking, or taking pictures of
nature scenes. Forests provide a home for
manyplants andanimals. Tree rootshelp to
A typical farm in the Ridge and Valley region.
