Agroforestry Management
Agroforestry refers to the integration of agriculture and forestry practices. The cultivation of woody perennials offers a myriad of ecosystem services which benefit farm operations. This includes water retention, soil conservation and fertility building, improved nutrient cycling, groundwater stabilization, the creation of microclimates, and more. Agroforestry practices support farm processes while producing additional crops of timber, fruits, nuts, fodder, and medicines. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recognizes six essential agroforestry activities:
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Windbreaks & Hedgerows - Lines of trees & shrubs to block wind, access, or view
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Riparian Forest Buffers - Trees & shrubs along waterways
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Silvopasture - Trees & shrubs used to create structural diversity in pastures
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Alley Cropping - Lines of trees & shrubs on rotation with annual crops
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Forest Farming - Foraging or cultivating the understory in a forest setting
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Additional Applications - New twists to familiar agroforestry practices
In addition to these 6 federally recognized activities, Holistic Forestry (HF) considers food forestry and forest grazing as distinguished agroforestry practices that may serve landowner values.
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Food Forestry - Developing or maintaining forest structures that are comprised of useful edible & medicinal plants.
Researchers have determined that many “indigenous forests,” previously thought to be unmanaged by humans, were actually being cultivated for thousands of years in order to increase the quality and quantity of edible and medicinal plants. Food Forestry applies this ancient practice in modern contexts.
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Forest Grazing - Animals used in a forest setting (as opposed to silvopasture settings).
Researchers have determined that large-scale forest grazing events were critical in the development of historic native forest ecologies. Over a vast period of time, the plant associations of the forest adapted to the rhythm of high-impact grazing events from large herds of bison, elk, and others, as well as to the browsing-pressure of megafauna. Forest grazing mimics historic patterns of natural disturbance while diversifying the diets of farm animals. With involved management, forest grazing can offer an efficient means to managing your forest and livestock resources.
