Understanding Rural and Agricultural Terminology

Rural or Agricultural Area: Undeveloped land traditionally used for farming, livestock, and forestry.

EAGGF (European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund): Supports the link between multifunctional agriculture and land, increases agricultural competitiveness in rural areas, encourages diversification of rural activities, helps maintain rural populations, and preserves the environment, landscape, and heritage.

Extensive Husbandry: Relies on the natural environment, with livestock grazing on natural grasslands in wetter regions (northern Spain and mountainous areas) or pastures in drier regions. Associated with native breeds and traditional methods. While still important in certain areas, it is increasingly mixed with intensive farming.

Intensive Livestock Farming: Animals are housed and fed with prepared feed, often located near urban centers (northeastern Spain and Mediterranean coast), especially for pigs and poultry. Associated with foreign breeds, modern techniques, and high dependence on imported feed, which can experience price fluctuations.

Traditional Livestock Farming: Involved raising various livestock species together in the same area, using indigenous breeds, older techniques, and extensive systems, resulting in lower yields.

Rural Settlements: Composed of houses and other units, their morphology varies depending on construction materials and layout.

Greenhouse: Glass or plastic structure used to grow plants at higher temperatures than the outside environment.

Latifundio: A large farm often characterized by inefficient resource use. The size considered large varies by context; in Europe, it can be a few hundred hectares.

Masia (Catalan Farmhouse): A type of rural building common in eastern Spain, particularly in the former Kingdom of Aragon, originating from ancient Roman villas. These isolated structures are traditionally linked to family-owned farms.