November 5, 2013. Agroforestry is a management approach that intentionally combines agriculture and forestry to create more sustainable land-use systems. The USDA recently released its first ever report outlining the impact of Agroforestry programs on farmers and ranchers. In this report the USDA details the numerous benefits that can accrue to farmers and ranchers by actively engaging in an Agroforestry program. The USDA report focuses not only on the conservation and agricultural productivity benefits associated with Agroforestry programs but also the financial and economic benefits that can accrue to farmers and ranchers through their participation.
Some of the most applicable Agroforestry practices currently in use in the upper Midwest focus on alley cropping, riparian forest buffers, and windbreaks. Over the last five years, USDA has assisted landowners financially and with technical guidance to establish roughly 336,000 acres of windbreaks, riparian forest buffers and alley cropping. Additionally, Agroforestry practices hold the potential to drive the continued development and advancement of bioenergy production throughout the Midwest.
For additional information on the USDA Agroforestry program and how to develop and integrate it into your current farming operation please visit USDA’s Agroforestry homepage. Also, to view the complete report please click here.
Learn more about Goosmann Law's agricultural practice. Email info@goosmannlaw.com or call 712.226.4000.
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