Agroforestry

Enriching our lives with trees that work

This presentation was developed by the USDA National Agroforestry Center

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What is Agroforestry?

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What are the benefits of agroforestry?

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Where can I get more information on agroforestry?

Presentation Objectives

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+

What is agroforestry?

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…..the

intentional

working trees to create sustainable farming and ranching systems.

combining of agriculture and

What is Agroforestry?

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• • • • • • If you are interested in:

Clean water and air Safe and healthy food Abundant wildlife Beautiful places Clean renewable energy Sustainable family farms and ranches

Why Agroforestry?

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Produces salable products

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Provides value-added opportunities

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Diversifies risk Increases property values Increases crop yields & livestock production May be eligible for cost-share & land rental payments

Why Agroforestry?

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Here, do this!

Use forestry!

Here, do this! Use agriculture!

Forestry Agriculture

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Putting the right plant, in the right place, for the right purpose!

Agroforestry Practices

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Plantings of single or multiple rows of trees or shrubs that redirect or modify the wind and are established for one or more environmental purposes.

Windbreaks

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           

Reduce energy costs Screen unsightly areas Reduce erosion and pesticide drift Protect plants Manage snow Improve irrigation use Increase crop yields Shelter livestock Mitigate odors and dust Provide wildlife habitat Enhance aesthetics Sequester carbon

Windbreak Benefits

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Growing an annual or perennial crop simultaneously in the alley ways between rows of a long term tree crop. The agricultural crop generates annual income while the longer-term tree crop matures.

Alley Cropping

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Diversify farm enterprise

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Reduce erosion

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Improve water quality

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Protect crops

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Improve utilization of nutrients

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Enhance wildlife habitat

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Improve aesthetics

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Store carbon

Alley Cropping Benefits

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Combines timber, livestock and forage production on the same acreage. Trees provide longer-term returns, while livestock generate an annual income.

Silvopasture

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     

Improved plant vigor Lower animal stress Reduced wildfire risk Improved wildlife habitat Annual income (e.g. grazing, hay, pine straw, hunting) Long-term income (timber)

Silvopasture Benefits

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The intentional manipulation, integration, and intensive management of woodlands under a managed forest canopy to produce non-timber products.

Forest Farming

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Improve economic value of existing forests Diversify income Increase cash flow

Forest Farming Benefits

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Medicinals

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Handicrafts

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Decoratives

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Food Products

Forest Farming Products

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Chestnuts

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Pecans

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Pawpaw

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Persimmon

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Syrup

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Mushrooms

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Black cohosh

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Ginseng

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Goldenseal

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May apple

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Witch-hazel

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Pacific yew

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Bittersweet

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Red-twig dogwood

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Forsythia

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Corkscrew willow

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Pine Straw

Foods Medicinals Decoratives

Specialty Forest Products

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Riparian forest buffers are natural or planted woodlands adjacent to water bodies. They are designed with trees, shrubs, and grasses to protect water resources from non-point source pollution.

Riparian Forest Buffers

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Clean water

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Protect aquatic habitat

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Enhance wildlife habitat

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Protect stream banks

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Income source (timber and specialty products)

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Flood protection

Riparian Forest Buffer Benefits

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Benefits:

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Reduce on farm energy costs

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Reduce reliance on fossil fuels

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Income source

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Improve soil health

Special Applications (Energy Crops)

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Agroforestry on the farm or ranch

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• • • • • • Agroforestry Means:

Clean water and air Safe and healthy food Abundant wildlife Beautiful places Clean renewable energy Sustainable family farms and ranches

Summary

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A number of web sites are available to provide more detailed information on agroforestry systems. Here are a few:    

USDA National Agroforestry Center

http://www.unl.edu/nac/

The Center for Agroforestry

http://www.centerforagroforestry.org/

Association for Temperate Agroforestry

http://www.aftaweb.org/agroforestry-introduction.php

The Center for Subtropical Agroforestry

http://sfrc.ifas.ufl.edu/cstaf/

For Additional Information

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Acknowledgements

This presentation was developed by the USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC), Lincoln NE.

NAC is a USDA partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

A partnership of: National Agroforestry Center

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