DCNR Conducting AgroForestry Survey Of Practices Combining Raising Trees With Crops, Livestock, Ecological Benefits

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is surveying forest landowners and farmers to learn more about how agroforestry is being practiced across Pennsylvania. 

            Responses will help DCNR understand need in order to assist in broader adoption of agroforestry practices.

Agroforestry describes a suite of practices that combine trees with annual or perennial crops and/or livestock to provide economic and ecological benefits to farmers and forest landowners across the landscape. 

There are five broadly recognized agroforestry practices. How it is practiced depends on landowners’ interests and production goals, as well as existing conditions:

-- Riparian forest buffers: permanent stands of trees/shrubs planted along streams or water bodies. [Read more about multi-function riparian buffers.]

-- Windbreaks and shelterbelts: rows of trees/shrubs planted and managed as part of a crop or livestock operation to control soil erosion, manage snow drift, or provide other benefits.

-- Alley cropping: agricultural or horticultural crops cultivated between rows of crop trees

-- Silvopasture: a combination of trees/shrubs, forage, and livestock simultaneously and intentionally managed to enhance production

-- Forest farming: combination of trees/shrubs managed to shelter shade-tolerant specialty crops (such as ginseng, ramps, fiddleheads, and mushrooms).

The survey builds on information learned in a 2004 Penn State survey of Pennsylvania farmers and forest landowners. That survey revealed many respondents were interested in implementing agroforestry practices on their land but lacked the information and access to technical support to do so.

In response to this need for assistance, Penn State partnered with DCNR, USDA, PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture, and producers across the state to conduct training and peer-to-peer education about agroforestry.

This 2020 survey will help DCNR gage to the success of these efforts and help direct future support. 

The 2017 Census of Agriculture, Pennsylvania ranked number one in the country for respondents that practice agroforestry on their farms! 

Click Here to take the online survey.

Please take a few minutes (15 or so) to help DCNR To focus our outreach and education programs!

DCNR wants to thanks to the PA Forestry Association and the PA Farm Bureau for their support of this survey

Questions should be directed to Tracey Coulter, DCNR Agroforestry Coordinator, by sending an email to: trcoulter@pa.gov. 

To learn more, visit DCNR’s Managing Your Woods webpage.

NewsClip:

PASA: Streams, Trees, Food, Agroforestry Improves Water & Farms

[Posted: June 18, 2020]  PA Environment Digest