Agroforestry

The educational materials listed on this page are about Agroforestry.

What is a practical agroforestry definition? How do you define agroforestry? What is agroforestry? These are common questions from farmers seeking to diversify their operations. The definition of agroforestry contains several pieces that are integral to the success of this type of farming. Agroforestry is an alternative farming system that integrates trees and shrubs with crops or livestock. An agroforestry system can create more diverse farms, ranches and communities. Different types of agroforestry can help farmers diversify both their farm products and their business income. An example of agroforestry practices is the practice of using trees that produce an annual fruit or nut crop but can also be grown for a future timber harvest. These are just a few of the benefits of agroforestry as a farming enterprise. Key practices include agroforestrypermacultureintegrated crop and livestock systemsnew enterprise developmentfruitnutsforest managementwindbreaksalley croppingforest farmingsilvopasture.

The Agroforestry brief sheet provides information for farmers looking to diversity their products and income. SARE’s book Building a Sustainable Business can aid producers in building a sustainable and profitable business plan for their new enterprise. For help with identifying funding for agroforestry ventures, Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches and Communities gives producers alternative ways to get their business up and running through innovative funding opportunities. Diversifying Cropping Systems is a bulletin that can be useful in identifying practices that enhance diversity on farms, including forest management practices.

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Conservation Buffers in Organic Systems: Nevada

This is a collaborative project to build the capacity of conservation professionals to assist organic and transitional farmers in planning and implementing conservation practices through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative. This guide is part of a series of guides created by Oregon Tilth for use by NRCS staff in the Western Region. Conservation Buffers provides […]

Conservation Buffers in Organic Systems: Oregon

This is a collaborative project to build the capacity of conservation professionals to assist organic and transitional farmers in planning and implementing conservation practices through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative. This guide is part of a series of guides created by Oregon Tilth for use by NRCS staff in the Western Region. Conservation Buffers provides […]

A Guide for Hawai’i’s Farmers

This guide was developed to assist new farmers in tropical small-island settings by providing a distillation of expert information on sustainable agriculture principles, agroecology, crop production, animal production, agroforestry and marketing.

On-Farm Internship Training Binder

The Placer Ag Futures Project was conceived as a response to critical issues affecting local agricultural sustainability. This project was intended to help grow a new crop of agricultural professionals that are trained in sustainable agricultural practices. One part of the Ag Futures Project was the on-farm internship training. The summer internship program consisted of […]

Conservation Buffers in Organic Systems: California

This is a collaborative project to build the capacity of conservation professionals to assist organic and transitional farmers in planning and implementing conservation practices through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative. This guide is part of a series of guides created by Oregon Tilth for use by NRCS staff in the Western Region. Conservation Buffers provides […]

Improving Breadfruit Production in Hawai‘i

Sustainable Agriculture Fact Sheet                       June 2020   Background: Breadfruit has an array of potential ecological, social and economic benefits for Hawai‘i. Hawai‘i’s long history with breadfruit is founded on a body of unique local knowledge, where most cultivation has traditionally taken place in diversified agroforestry settings. The Problem: Breadfruit production is changing in Hawai‘i, […]