Training Manual for Applied Agroforestry Practices

245 Pages·2013·10.46 MB·English

Training Manual
for Applied Agroforestry Practices
2018 Edition

The Center for Agroforestry

University of Missouri
A Global Center for Agroforestry, Entrepreneurship and the Environment
Training Manual for Applied Agroforestry Practices – 2018 Edition

Produced by the University of Missouri
Center for Agroforestry
203 ABNR
Columbia, Mo 65211

www.centerforagroforestry.org
email: [email protected]

Original 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 – 2018 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.

View this manual online at: www.centerforagroforestry.org
Reprinted: May 2019

Michael Gold, Hannah Hemmelgarn, Gregory Ormsby-Mori & Caroline Todd, Eds.

University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry 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

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 Section 6:
Bruce Wight & Richard Straight 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
& Zhen Cai

Chapter 10: Economic Considerations for
Agroforestry
Larry Godsey & Zhen Cai
4 Training Manual for Applied Agroforestry Practices – 2018 Edition
Chapter Authors’ Affiliations

Mike Gold, University of Missouri Bruce Wight, USDA National Resources
Conservation Service (Retired/Consultant)
Andy Mason, USDA National Agroforestry
Center (Retired) Richard Straight, USDA National
Agroforestry Center
Mihaela Cernusca, University of Missouri
(now at North Dakota State University) John Munsell, Virginia Tech
Dusty Walter, University of Missouri Jeanine Davis, North Carolina State
University
Shibu Jose, University of Missouri
Jim Chamberlain, USDA National
Diomy Zamora, University of Minnesota Agroforestry Center
Dick Schultz, Iowa State University Rebecca Christoffel, Iowa State University
Tom Isenhart, Iowa State University Larry Godsey, Missouri Valley College
Leigh Ann Long, Iowa State University Zhen Cai, University of Missouri

University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry 5
User’s Guide to the Training Manual

About this Manual
armer’s 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.
Feco nomical, conservation-minded and socially The intended audience includes forest and
acceptable.
agricultural landowners, resource

professionals and other educators; yet, anyone
interested in establishing or managing trees
for multiple 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
comprehensive 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-making 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
Agroforestry practices are unique and through
goals.
their proper application each objective of How this Manual
economy, conservation of resources and social
is Organized
acceptance can be met. Agroforestry practices
are designed to fit specific niches within the
farm to meet specific landowner objectives.
This manual is divided into specific chapters
When properly designed, agroforestry
explaining agroforestry practices and manage-
practices can achieve a balance between
ment. Chapter 2 is intended to assist you in
diverse, and often seemingly opposed,
implementing your knowledge of agroforestry
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 – 2018 Edition
Let’s Begin
From specific land management practices
designed to conserve limited resources to the
marketing of specialty, non-commodity
products, 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 additional 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,
interim director,
speak about the
opportunities
agroforestry pro-
vides at the First
World Congress of
Agroforestry, 2004,
Orlando, Fla.
University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry 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 centers
active research on agroforestry practices
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 collaborative
• Conducts, coordinates and promotes
funding from the USDA-ARS. Interdisciplinary
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
agroforestry practices.
production challenges.
• Conducts, coordinates and promotes inter-

disciplinary research on the policy
Linked to the Center’s solid science and re-
dimensions of agroforestry.
search programs are several key partnerships
• Provides opportunities for formal
with landowners, natural resource
education via a series of online courses.
professionals, federal and state agencies and
Both a graduate certificate and/or
non-profit organizations. Through these
master’s degree in agroforestry are
critical partner- ships, UMCA and its partners
available through MizzouOnline at the
are producing an expanding list of positive
University of Missouri.
outcomes for land- owners, the natural
eUnMvCirAo nPmhielonst oapnhdy s:o ciety as a whole. • Develops and carries out a collaborative
“A farm can be regarded as a food factory and international agroforestry program in the
areas of instruction, research and out-
the criterion for its success is saleable products.
reach.
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 – 2018 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 key to
Agroforestry is new market opportunities.
determine what is, and what is not, an agroforestry
Sustainable “climate-smart” agriculture. Land
practice.
Intentional
stewardship. 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 managed
In simple terms, agroforestry is intensive land-
to work together and yield multiple products and
use management combining trees and/or shrubs
benefits, rather than as individual elements which
with crops and/or livestock.
may occur together but are managed separately.

Agroforestry is neither monoculture farming, nor is it
Agroforestry practices are designed to fit specific
a mixture of monocultures.
niches within the farm to meet specific Intensive
landowner objectives.

Agroforestry practices help landowners to Agroforestry practices are created and intensively
diversify products, markets, and farm income; managed to maintain their productive and protective
improve soil and water quality; and reduce functions, and often involve cultural operations such
erosion, non-point source pollution and dam- as cultivation, fertilization, irrigation, pruning and
age due to flooding. The integrated practices of thinning.
Integrated
agroforestry enhance land and aquatic habitats
for fish and wildlife and improve bio- diversity
while sustaining land resources for generations
Components are structurally and functionally
to come. In a changing climate, agroforestry
combined into a single, integrated management unit
practices can be designed and strategically
tailored to meet the objectives of the landowner.
located to provide greater resiliency in
Integration may be horizontal or vertical, above- or
agricultural landscapes so landowners can meet
below-ground, simultaneous or sequential.

production objectives when faced 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 deliberately
Working with UMCA staff and natural resources professionals
combined with crops and/or livestock.
helps landowners plan and implement agroforestry practices.
University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry 9
1. Riparian and Upland Forest Buffers
Integration of multiple crops utilizes more of Riparian
the productive capacity of the land and helps to forest buffers are strips of permanent vegetation,
balance economic production with resource consisting of trees, shrubs, and grasses, planted or
conservation. managed between agricultural land (usually
Interactive
cropland or pastureland) and water bodies (rivers,
streams, creeks, lakes, wetlands) to reduce runoff
and non-point source pollution. Forest buffers are
Agroforestry actively manipulates and utilizes
usually planted in three distinct zones near an
the interactions among components to yield
agricultural stream for stabilizing streambanks,
multiple harvestable products, while
improving aquatic and terrestrial habitats, and
concurrently providing numerous conservation
providing harvestable products. Upland buffers with
and ecological benefits.
cool- or warm-season grass alone or combined with

shrubs and/or trees are also used to reduce

nonpoint-source pollution and prevent gully
formation in agricultural watersheds.
2. Windbreaks

Windbreak practices (and variations, e.g.,
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 Field windbreaks are used to protect a variety of
farming practice for additional income, as explained by
wind-sensitive row crops, forage, tree, and vine
Nicola MacPherson of Ozark Forest Mushrooms at this
crops to control soil erosion, and to provide other
field day.
benefits such as improved insect pollination of crops

and enhanced wildlife habitat.
The five recognized agroforestry
practices Livestock windbreaks help reduce animal stress and
mortality, improve feed and water consumption,
• Riparian and Upland Forest Buffers
enhance weight gain and calving success rates, and
• Windbreaks
control odor. Timberbelts are managed windbreaks
• Alley Cropping
also designed to increase the value of the forestry
• Silvopasture
component.
• Forest Farming

Forest Farming Silvopasture Alley Cropping Riparian Forest Buffers Windbreaks

10 Training Manual for Applied Agroforestry Practices – 2018 Edition