Training Manual

385 Pages·2015·11.37 MB·English

Training Manual
for Applied Agroforestry Practices
201(cid:22) Edition
The Center for Agroforestry
University of Missouri
A Global Center for Agroforestry, Entrepreneurship and the Environment
Training Manual for Applied Agroforestry Practices – 2015 Edition
Produced by the University of Missouri
Center for Agroforestry
203 ABNR
Columbia, Mo 65211
www.centerforagroforestry.org
email: [email protected]

Funding for this work is via the United States Department of Agriculture North Central SARE with
Agreement Number H003044602 and NCR-SARE Project Number ENC12-129.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of
the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the USDA.
The Center for Agroforestry
University of Missouri
A Global Center for Agroforestry, Entrepreneurship and the Environment
2 Training Manual for Applied Agroforestry Practices – 2015 Edition
Acknowledgements
This publication is the result of the collaborative efforts of several individuals and organizations.
The University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry acknowledges the USDA National Agroforestry Center and
the Mid-America Agroforestry Working Group, for contributions to the text of this manual.
Portions of this material are also credited to the “Forest Landowner’s Guide to Evaluating and Choosing
a Natural Resource-Based Enterprise,” published by the Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering
Service (NRAES) Cooperative Extension program, Ithaca, New York. NRAES is an interdisciplinary, issue-
oriented program sponsored by cooperative extension of fourteen member land grant universities and is
housed at Cornell University. For more information, visit www.nraes.org.
View this manual online at: www.centerforagroforestry.org
(cid:21)(cid:135)(cid:146)rinted: July 201(cid:887)
Michael Gold, Mihaela Cernusca & Michelle Hall, Eds.
2015 Training Manual Updates by Michael Gold, Hannah Hemmelgarn, and Gregory Mori.
U n i v e r s i t y o f M i s s o u r i C e n t e r f o r A g r o f o r e s t r y 3
Training Manual for Applied Agroforestry
Practices: Table of Contents
User’s Guide to the Training Manual Appendices:
Chapter 1: Defining Agroforestry Section 1:
Mike Gold & Andy Mason • Economic Budgeting Guide
• Tax Considerations (cid:1)
Chapter 2: Planning for Agroforestry
Section 2:
Mike Gold & Mihaela Cernusca
Trees and Shrubs
Chapter 3: Alley Cropping Section 3:
Dusty Walter, Shibu Jose & Diomy Zamora Grasses and Forages
Chapter 4: Silvopasture Section 4:
Dusty Walter The Basics of Selling Timber
Chapter 5: Riparian & Upland Forest Buffers Section 5:
Dick Schultz, Tom Isenhart & Leigh Ann Long Planning for Agroforestry
Workbook
Chapter 6: Windbreaks
Bruce Wight & Richard Straight Section 6:
Plant Resource Guide
Chapter 7: Forest Farming
John Munsell, Jeanine Davis &
Jim Chamberlain
Chapter 8: Agroforestry and Wildlife
Rebecca Christoffel
Chapter 9: Marketing Principles
Mihaela Cernusca, Mike Gold & Larry Godsey
Chapter 10: Economic Considerations for
Agroforestry
Larry Godsey
4 Training Manual for Applied Agroforestry Practices – 2015 Edition
Chapter Authors’ Affiliations
Mike Gold, University of Missouri Bruce Wight, USDA National Resources
Conservation Service (Retired/Consultant)
Andy Mason, USDA National Agroforestry
Center Richard Straight, USDA National
Agroforestry Center
Mihaela Cernusca, University of Missouri
John Munsell, Virginia Tech
Dusty Walter, University of Missouri
Jeanine Davis, North Carolina State
Shibu Jose, University of Missouri
University
Diomy Zamora, University of Minnesota
Jim Chamberlain, USDA National
Dick Schultz, Iowa State University Agroforestry Center
Tom Isenhart, Iowa State University Rebecca Christoffel, Iowa State University
Leigh Ann Long, Iowa State University Larry Godsey, Missouri Valley College
U n i v e r s i t y o f M i s s o u r i C e n t e r f o r A g r o f o r e s t r y 5
User’s Guide to the Training Manual
About this Manual
armers and other landowners drawing
sustenance from the land strive continually
This training manual is designed to provide
to produce goods through methods that are
easy-to-use information about agroforestry.
Feconomical, conservation-minded and socially The intended audience includes forest and
acceptable.
agricultural landowners, resource profession-
als and other educators; yet, anyone interested
in establishing or managing trees for mul-
tiple functions on the landscape can use the
agroforestry guidelines to assist in achieving
success.
This updated edition of the training manual
is not intended to function as the comprehen-
sive source of information on agroforestry.
Agroforestry is both an art and a science.
Therefore, do not use this training manual
as your only resource of information on
agroforestry practices. Rather, it is designed to
be used as a tool to assist in the decision-mak-
ing process. There are countless ways for trees
to meet conservation, economic and societal
goals, and we are learning more and more each
day about effective designs that better ensure
agroforestry will meet one or more specific
goals.
Agroforestry practices are unique and through How this Manual
their proper application each objective of
is Organized
economy, conservation of resources and social
acceptance can be met. Agroforestry practices
are designed to fit specific niches within the
This manual is divided into specific chapters
farm to meet specific landowner objectives.
explaining agroforestry practices and manage-
When properly designed, agroforestry practic-
ment. Chapter 2 is intended to assist you in
es can achieve a balance between diverse, and
implementing your knowledge of agroforestry
often seemingly opposed, objectives.
into your operation in a step-by-step process.
The appendices contain information about
This manual will help explain each of the
the economics and taxation involved with
agroforestry practices and their application.
agroforestry, as well as crop sheets for select-
Additionally, the manual is designed to assist in
ing the appropriate trees, shrubs, grasses, forbs
the decision process so that, when established
and crops for your agroforestry practice. You
or managed, the agroforestry practice is most
may pull out chapters and appendices and use
effective at achieving the desired objectives.
them independently as needed.
6 Training Manual for Applied Agroforestry Practices – 2015 Edition
Let’s Begin
From specific land management practices
designed to conserve limited resources to the
marketing of specialty, non-commodity prod-
ucts, the ideas in this manual can improve the
likelihood of your success. We hope it is both a
useful tool and a source of inspiration for addi-
tional management practices that utilize trees
or shrubs on the farm for multiple benefits.
Land management practices that integrate
trees and shrubs with agriculture can provide
benefits to the farm and the surrounding land-
scape. We hope that the ideas and practices
put forth in this manual inspire and assist in
making decisions related to managing land re-
sources that involve trees and shrubs. It is our
desire to help farm managers and land owners
achieve long-term satisfaction from working
harmoniously with the soil, water, air, forests
and wildlife resources of this Earth.
Gene Garrett, left,
former director
of the Center for
Agroforestry, and
Michael Gold, right,
associate director,
speak about the
opportunities
agroforestry pro-
vides at the First
World Congress of
Agroforestry,
Orlando, Fla.
U n i v e r s i t y o f M i s s o u r i C e n t e r f o r A g r o f o r e s t r y 7
About the University of Missouri
Center for Agroforestry (UMCA)
UMCA Mission:
Agroforestry practices help landowners di-
versify products, markets and farm income; To initiate, coordinate and enhance
improve soil and water quality; and reduce agroforestry activities to meet the environ-
erosion, non-point source pollution and mental, social and economic needs of land
flood damage. The integrated practices of management within the state of Missouri,
agroforestry enhance land and aquatic habitats North America and the temperate zone world-
for fish and wildlife and improve biodiversity wide.
To accomplish our mission, UMCA:
while sustaining land resources for generations
to come.
• Conducts, coordinates and promotes inter-
UMCA is one of the world’s leading cen-
active research on agroforestry practices
ters contributing to the science underlying
to improve the productive and protective
agroforestry. UMCA, established in 1998, has
functions of agricultural and forest lands.
been supported by significant collab-orative
• Conducts, coordinates and promotes
funding from the USDA-ARS. Interdis-ciplinary
interdisciplinary research on the social,
research conducted by faculty, re-search
economic and market dimensions of
specialists, graduate and undergraduate
agroforestry.
students, provides sound science that uncovers
• Conducts an active outreach program that
new environmental and economic benefits
increases the awareness and adoption of
from agroforestry practices and solves produc-
agroforestry practices.
tion challenges.
• Conducts, coordinates and promotes inter-
disciplinary research on the policy dimen-
Linked to the Center’s solid science and re-
sions of agroforestry.
search programs are several key partnerships
• Provides opportunities for formal educa-
with landowners, natural resource profession-
tion via a series of online courses. Both a
als, federal and state agencies and non-profit
graduate certificate and/or master’s de-
organizations. Through these critical partner-
gree in agroforestry are available through
ships, UMCA and its partners are producing an
MizzouOnline at the University of Missouri.
expanding list of positive outcomes for land-
owners, the natural environment and society as • Develops and carries out a collaborative
aU MwChAol eP.h ilosophy: international agroforestry program in the
areas of instruction, research and out-
“A farm can be regarded as a food factory and
reach.
the criterion for its success is saleable products.
Or, it can be regarded as a place to live, and the
criterion for its success is harmonious balance
between plants, animals and people; between
the domestic and the wild; and between utility
and beauty.” – Aldo Leopold
8 Training Manual for Applied Agroforestry Practices – 2015 Edition
Chapter 1: Defining Agroforestry
Agroforestry Key Criteria
Agroforestry:
Definition and Practices
Four key criteria characterize agroforestry
What is agroforestry?
practices. Application of the 4 “I” criteria are
Agroforestry is new market opportunities. Sus-
key to determine what is and what is not an
tainable “climate-smart” agriculture. Land stew-
agroforestry practice:
Intentional
ardship. Habitat for wildlife. Improved air and

water quality. Diversified farm income. Increased
wealth for rural communities.
Combinations of trees, crops, and/or livestock
are intentionally designed, established, and/or
In simple terms, agroforestry is intensive land-
managed to work together and yield multiple
use management combining trees and/or
products and benefits, rather than as individual
shrubs with crops and/or livestock.
elements which may occur together but are
Agroforestry practices are designed to fit managed separ ately. Agroforestry is neither
monoculture farming, nor is it a mixture of
specific niches within the farm to meet specific
monocultures.
landowner objectives. Intensive
Agroforestry practices help landowners to
diversify products, markets, and farm income; Agroforestry practices are created and inten-
improve soil and water quality; and reduce sively managed to maintain their productive
erosion, non-point source pollution and dam- and protective functions, and often involve
age due to flooding. The integrated practices cultural operations such as cultivation, fertil-
of agroforestry enhance land and aquatic ization, irrigation, pruning and thinning.
Integrated
habitats for fish and wildlife and improve bio-
diversity while sustaining land resources for
generations to come. In a changing climate,
Components are structurally and functionally
agroforestry practices can be designed and
combined into a single, integrated manage-
strategically located to provide greater resil-
ment unit tailored to meet the objectives of the
iency in agricultural landscapes so landowners
landowner. Integration may be horizontal or
can meet production objectives when faced
vertical, above- or below-ground, simultane-
with extreme weather (e.g., drought, floods).
Tree-based practices sequester significant
amounts of carbon that can help meet future
potential greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Definition of Temperate Agroforestry (USA):
Intensive land-use management that optimizes
the benefits (physical, biological, ecological,
economic, social) from biophysical interactions
created when trees and/or shrubs are deliber-
ately combined with crops and/or livestock.
Working with UMCA staff and natural resources profes-
sionals helps landowners plan and implement agroforestry
practices.
U n i v e r s i t y o f M i s s o u r i C e n t e r f o r A g r o f o r e s t r y 9
1. Riparian and Upland Forest Buffers
ous or sequential. Integration of multiple crops
utilizes more of the productive capacity of the Riparian forest buffers are strips of perma-
l and and helps to balance economic production nent vegetation, consisting of trees, shrubs,
with resource conservation. and grasses, planted or managed between
Interactive
agricultural land (usually cropland or pas-
tureland) and water bodies (rivers, streams,
creeks, lakes, wetlands) to reduce runoff and
Agroforestry actively manipulates and utilizes
non-point source pollution. Forest buffers are
the interactions among components to yield
usually planted in three distinct zones near an
multiple harvestable products, while concur-
agricultural stream for stabilizing streambanks,
rently providing numerous conservation and
improving aquatic and terrestrial habitats, and
ecological benefits.
providing harvestable products. Upland buffers
with cool- or warm-season grass alone or com-
bined with shrubs and/or trees are also used to
reduce nonpoint-source pollution and prevent
g2u. Wllyi nfodrbmraetaiokns in agricultural watersheds.

Windbreak practices (shelterbelts, timberbelts,
hedgerows, and living snowfences) are planted
and managed as part of a crop or livestock
operation to enhance crop production, protect
crops and livestock, manage snow distribution,
and/or control soil erosion.
Specialty mushrooms can be grown on logs in a forest
farming practice for additional income, as explained
Field windbreaks are used to protect a vari-
by Nicola MacPherson of Ozark Forest Mushrooms at
ety of wind-sensitive row crops, forage, tree,
this field day.
and vine crops to control soil erosion, and to
provide other benefits such as improved insect
The five recognized agroforestry pollination of crops and enhanced wildlife
practices habitat.
• Riparian and Upland Forest Buffers
Livestock windbreaks help reduce animal
• Windbreaks
stress and mortality, improve feed and water
• Alley Cropping
consumption, enhance weight gain and calving
• Silvopasture
success rates, and control odor. Timberbelts
• Forest Farming
are managed windbreaks designed to increase
the value of the forestry component.

Forest Farming Silvopasture Alley Cropping Riparian Forest Buffers Windbreaks
10 Training Manual for Applied Agroforestry Practices – 2015 Edition