Sustaining Agroforestry Systems for Farms and Ranches
Agroforestry for Farms and Ranches
An introduction to using tree and shrub practices in sustained agricultural systems.
Agroforestry Defined
Agroforestry is the intentional growing of trees and shrubs in combination with crops or forage. Agroforestry also includes tree and shrub plantings on the farm or ranch that improve habitat value or access by humans and wildlife, or that provide woody plant products in addition to agricultural crops or forage. Agroforestry is distinguished from traditional forestry by having the additional aspect of a closely associated agricultural or forage crop.
Diverse Purposes of Agroforestry Systems
Properly designed agroforestry systems protect crops and forage, increase their production, protect soil and water resources, conserve energy, improve ecosystem "richness", create additional wildlife habitat, and increase landscape diversity. They also provide additional farm or ranch products: timber, pulpwood, firewood, posts, fruit, nuts, and fodder to name a few. Agroforestry represents a collection of multipurpose practices that are enduring and help achieve a sustainable agriculture. These practices can form the major part of a "Resource Management System" for a particular field or treatment unit. This matrix provides some examples of how practices might be combined into agroforestry systems in cropland and pasture/hay settings.
