Program Purpose
The Agroforestry program is a joint-venture
of the USDA Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation
Service. Its purpose is to educate technical assistance providers,
landowners, and stakeholders about the benefits of agroforestry,
resulting in increased adoption. Through research, development,
applications, and training, the Program provides appropriate
technologies, documentation, and tools to extension agents
and others participating in efforts to incorporate agroforestry
into conservation and production systems for farms, ranches,
and communities.
Agroforestry emphasizes planting "Working
Trees" in agricultural settings in the form of windbreaks,
riparian buffers, alley cropping, silvopasture, timberbelts,
and forest farming. Specific benefits provided to farmers
include reduced wind erosion, increased crop yields, reduced
energy costs; reduced stress on livestock from cold winter
winds and hot summer heat, improved livestock weight gain
and reduced feed costs, increased milk production, increased
water use efficiency, wildlife habitat, reduced runoff and
water pollution, landscape diversity, natural pest controls,
and marketable products.
Agroforestry has significant untapped potential
to increase agricultural productivity and sustainability by
conserving natural resources, increasing crop and livestock
production, and improving human environments. Agroforestry
works wherever trees grow, in rural areas, communities, and
the interface in between where land use conflicts may occur.
The success of agroforestry depends on landowners' willingness
and ability to care for the land and pass on profitable and
sustainable natural resources to future generations.
Program Activities
The National
Agroforestry Center (NAC), in Lincoln,
Nebraska and jointly sponsored by the Forest Service and the
Natural Resource Conservation Service, is the centerpiece
of the Agroforestry Program. Through interagency collaboration,
cooperation with universities, and partnerships with the private
sector, the Center provides state forestry and NRCS personnel,
and other extension agents with information on agroforestry
techniques, which in turn allows them share this information
with farmers, NIPF land owners and others.
Public Benefits
and Informational Contacts
State forestry agencies and NRCS offices can
provide more information on agroforestry practices and the
particular programs available in any given state. And, anyone
can benefit from agroforestry research conducted by the Research
branch of the Forest Service. Publications are generally available
in public and university libraries and through the internet.
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