Agroforestry Enriching our lives with trees that work This presentation was developed by the USDA National Agroforestry Center

Presentation Objectives What is Agroforestry? What are the benefits of agroforestry? Where can I get more information on agroforestry? 2

What is agroforestry? + + 3

What is Agroforestry? …..the intentional combining of agriculture and working trees to create sustainable farming and ranching systems. 4

Why Agroforestry? Clean water and air Safe and healthy food Abundant wildlife Beautiful places Clean renewable energy Sustainable family farms and ranches If you are interested in: 5

Why Agroforestry? Produces salable products Provides value-added opportunities Diversifies risk Increases property values Increases crop yields & livestock production May be eligible for cost-share & land rental payments 6

AgricultureForestry Here, do this! Use agriculture! Here, do this! Use forestry! 7

Agroforestry Practices Putting the right plant, in the right place, for the right purpose! 8

Windbreaks 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. 9

Windbreak Benefits 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 10

Alley Cropping 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. 11

Alley Cropping Benefits Diversify farm enterprise Reduce erosion Improve water quality Protect crops Improve utilization of nutrients Enhance wildlife habitat Improve aesthetics Store carbon 12

Silvopasture Combines timber, livestock and forage production on the same acreage. Trees provide longer-term returns, while livestock generate an annual income. 13

Silvopasture Benefits 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) 14

Forest Farming The intentional manipulation, integration, and intensive management of woodlands under a managed forest canopy to produce non-timber products. 15

Forest Farming Benefits Improve economic value of existing forests Diversify income Increase cash flow 16

Forest Farming Products Medicinals Handicrafts Decoratives Food Products 17

Specialty Forest Products Chestnuts Pecans Pawpaw Persimmon Syrup Mushrooms Black cohosh Ginseng Goldenseal May apple Witch-hazel Pacific yew Bittersweet Red-twig dogwood Forsythia Corkscrew willow Pine Straw MedicinalsDecorativesFoods 18

Riparian Forest Buffers 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. 19

Riparian Forest Buffer Benefits Clean water Protect aquatic habitat Enhance wildlife habitat Protect stream banks Income source (timber and specialty products) Flood protection 20

Special Applications (Energy Crops) Benefits: Reduce on farm energy costs Reduce reliance on fossil fuels Income source Improve soil health 21

Agroforestry on the farm or ranch 22

Summary Clean water and air Safe and healthy food Abundant wildlife Beautiful places Clean renewable energy Sustainable family farms and ranches Agroforestry Means: 23

For Additional Information USDA National Agroforestry Center The Center for Agroforestry Association for Temperate Agroforestry The Center for Subtropical Agroforestry A number of web sites are available to provide more detailed information on agroforestry systems. Here are a few: 24

Acknowledgements "The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C or call (202) (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer." "The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C or call (202) (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer." 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 25