There are 5 accepted agroforestry practices, each has a corresponding factsheet providing additional information. They are briefly listed and defined below:
Forest Farming – incorporating high value specialty crops that are cultivated under the forest canopy. These are typically shade tolerant plants such as: mushrooms, ginseng, pawpaws, etc.
Silvopasture – the combination of cultivated trees and pastureland for livestock. This can be done with either trees for timber or fruit and nut bearing trees.
Alley Cropping – creates alternating rows of trees and crop production. The cultivated trees are grown in wide alleys that provide space for crops production.
Windbreaks – are designed and managed to create ‘living’ barriers between agricultural activities or to protect agricultural activities from wind, snow livestock, etc.
Riparian and Forest Buffers – are established vegetation areas adjacent to river and streams or in upland areas that are designed to reduce erosion/runoff by stabilizing stream banks and creating areas that excess water may be absorbed.
The chosen practice is intentionally included into the farm operation.
The practice is functionally a good fit for the locality and the human manager.
The practice is actively managed.
The practice includes the production of at least two products.
The practice is considered perennial and occurs over the course of more than one year.
It is inherently more ecologically diverse in comparison to singular agricultural activities.
It is ultimately valued greatest by the landowner or steward.
Agroforestry practices can be beneficial to both the landowner and the greater environment as they are holistic in nature and adhere to ecologically sounds principles. Any landowner looking to derive greater value from their lands whether through improved economic livelihood or local biodiversity, should consider learning more about and possibly implementing these types of land stewardship practices. (3)
U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2019). Agroforestry Strategic Framework. – Fiscal Years 2019-2024. Retrieved from https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-agroforestry-strategic-frame
University of Missouri – The Center for Applied Agroforestry. (2018). Training Manual for Applied Agroforestry Practices 2018 Edition. Retrieved from http://www.centerforagroforestry.org/pubs/training/FullTrainingManual_2018.pdf
Hill, D. (2009). Agroforestry and Non-Timber Forest Products. [Fact sheet]. Retrieved from http://forestry.ca.uky.edu/sites/forestry.ca.uky.edu/files/for110.pdf
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