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VOLUME 16 ISSUE TWO

4-55 THE “I’S” HAVE IT

TERMS FOR LONG- 6-77 TERM SUCCESS

A sample of valu- practices like windbreaks and riparian able products that buffers provide valuable services to us in the form of wind can be found in protection, stabilization, and water quality. But, they can forest also deliver many marketable non-timber products like include: straw, and , decorative florals, and products. mushrooms, , and This issue of Inside Agroforestry provides a glimpse into the 11 jack-in-the-pulpit forest, beyond the obvious, to get you seeing the non-timber A NEW STANDARD (pictured above). forest products for the . ] FOR AGROFORESTRY NAC Director’s Corner A commentary on the status of agroforestry by Dr. Greg Ruark, NAC Program Manager

More research is needed

THE demand for specialty forest products has been Many and private forest landowners with lim- growing rapidly over the past decade. Numerous ited resources are seeking alternative production systems species that are thought to have nutritional, medicinal, or that will allow them to increase the income they derive culinary benefits are native to the of pine and from their lands. In many instances profitability will deter- throughout , but little is mine whether they will remain economically viable to understood about how to intentionally propagate and culti- remain on the land. In forests where valuable understory vate most of them. As a result, these are typically har- botanicals already exist, guidelines for sustainably har- vested by gathering them from the wild. Several of these, vesting them are needed, while on lands where they do not like , , cohosh, and edible mushrooms occur an improved understanding of the site conditions already have strong consumer markets. Unfortunately, their required to establish them is needed. NAC is coordinating high economic value has created a situation whereby many with , state agencies, conservation dis- species are already being over-harvested, threatening their tricts, and non-profit to develop science- long-term viability. To date, agroforestry systems have been based guidelines for agroforestry cultivation systems for designed that allow a few of these plant species, like gin- special forest products to provide landowners with eco- seng, to be cultivated under a forest . However, little nomic opportunities that can be readily integrated into their is known about how or if other understory plant species ongoing operations. ] could be intentionally cultivated.

For a copy of Digging deeper these, and other, publications visit THE awareness of non-timber forest prod- the Non-Timber ucts ( NTFP) has grown over the last decade. Forest Products Concern about the of the at: resources from which NTFPS originate and http://www.sfp. consideration for the economic stability of the people who are involved in the harvesting forprod.vt.edu/ and sale of these plants has also increased. special_fp.htm Unfortunately, the information and knowl- edge needed to determine if collection activi- Bloodroot – named for the blood-red harvested galax to supplement their ties are socially, economically, or ecologi- found throughout the plant, particularly in incomes since before the 20th century. cally sustainable is still lacking. the . Native Americans used bloodroot Goldenseal – originally used by Native To help this gap, three compre- as a dye, love charm, and medicine. Today, Americans as both a medicine and a dye, hensive guides are available for some of the it is used to cause expectoration and to the was eventually adopted by settlers most sought after botanical plants: blood- clear the respiratory pathways of mucus. and eclectic physicians in the 19th century. , galax, and goldenseal. Each publica- Galax – an groundcover har- The alkaloids in goldenseal have been tion addresses and ecology, medic- vested for use in the floral . People found to have antibiotic, anti-inflamma- inal and other uses, market trends, cultiva- living in the mountains of North Carolina tory, antispasmodic, and tonic effects. ] tion, and conservation issues. and other rural Appalachian locations have

2 Inside Agroforestry | Volume 16, Issue Two Here, needles of a naturally regen- erated long- pine forest are raked for resale. Straw can be raked, baled, and sold to centers. Land- scapers and home- owners use pine straw as a or ground cover in and land- scaping projects. NAC file photo Raking in the green stuff

James Chamberlain accounting for $15 billion in in 1997, contain at least one USFS Research Scientist, Non-Timber Forest Products, natural element. Blacksburg, VA In 1998, the total market for medicinal in the United States was estimated at $3.97 billion, more than double WE know forests deliver , medicine, and countless other the estimate for in 1996. Based on 2001 prices, . Common sense tells us about forest cents, but just how the average wholesale value of forest-harvested ginseng in a much cents does the forest have? four state region of Appalachia exceeded $18.5 million. Though no formal estimates have been made of the total Exports of forest-harvested ginseng from 1993 through 1996 value of the NTFP markets, available data illustrate the eco- grew more than 300 percent. The estimated growth in the nomic importance of some individual products. Certainly, the mass market for black cohosh, for the year ending in July aggregate value of non-timber forest products far exceeds 1998, was approximately 500 percent. these examples. Edible products Medicinal and herbal products Many culinary NTFP are considered specialty items and are Herbs and medicinal products are an extremely important sold directly to buyers like gourmet , specialized component of modern medicine and health supplement The demand for specialty such Some forest-based as jellies, sauces, medicinal products, and marinades like goldenseal, continues to grow. have long-estab- Photo courtesy of James lished markets and Chamberlain, USFS Research Scientist, represent an on- Blacksburg, VA going economic opportunity.

Photo courtesy of Jeanine Davis, North Carolina State grocery stores, and health food stores or to consumers through ’s market-type venues. The products are con- industries. Plants from the forest provide treatments for such sumed fresh, canned, frozen and dried or used to make value- diseases as cancer, leukemia, heart disease, and pain relief for added products. major trauma. Over 40 percent of prescription drugs, see Economics on page 10

Volume 16, Issue Two | Inside Agroforestry 3 With Wild harvesting / Wild harvesting is collecting food, decorative, or medicinal an products that grow naturally in the . Cutting cedar boughs for a wreath or picking berries on the side of a is wild har- vesting. Harvesting forest products on public lands is a way of “i” life for a significant number of people around the country. Sustainable harvesting can have a positive effect on the forest by removing products efficiently while protecting site productivity, toward minimizing impacts on , water, and soil and encouraging regeneration of desirable species. intensity

Photo by James Chamberlain, USFS Research Scientist, Blacksburg, VA

Over the past 15 years, the Belton family near Sandy, Oregon has Many choices used a variety of approaches to generate supplemental income to exist for growing help sustain their forest operation. Most of their forest land is managed for multiple species and ages. To generate enough non-timber forest income selling non-timber forest products, they sell higher products. After quality products for top dollar. These value-added deciding which require considerable hand labor to harvest and process. Some of the products that the Beltons harvest include cut, product to potted, or balled plants for the floral and nursery industries. They have sold various and other floral greenery like salal, specialize in, sphagnum , and maple. Popular potted plants have there is a broad been red-flowering currant, flowering dogwood, tiger lilies, and bleeding heart. Red alder and wild cherry are sold as hardwood spectrum of chips for smoking meats. Western redcedar bark, a favorite of management Native Americans, is used to make in the Northwest and 12” x 5” x ¾” cedar planks are sold for cooking . Various options to mushrooms can generate significant additional income as . choose from. Although products are the most common source of income for many forest owners, finding a niche and value-added market for a wider variety of the non-timber commodities from the forest will help generate additional revenue necessary to stay in business.

4 Inside Agroforestry | Volume 16, Issue Two Wild simulated / forest tending / forest enrichment Woods cultivated / forest Wild simulated plants are intentionally planted and cared for in Intensively managed, a cultivated forest garden is a purposely conditions that mimic their wild habitat as much as possible. designed system of trees, , and perennial plants. These Essentially, the plants are allowed to grow naturally; most plants are mixed to mimic ecosystems and include growers do not spray or add any additional . trees, shrubs, herbs, and . The yields are directly It is simple, inexpensive, and requires few inputs. Modifying useful to humans. In a woods cultivated system, the objective woodland vegetation to better meet landowner objectives is a is to produce the highest yield feasible; all modern production shift in management activities to adapt and improve growth practices and control products are used including tilling, rate, volume, quality, and values of trees and non-timber forest soil amendments, raised beds to control soil drainage, mulch, products in forest. Common forest tending activities include: and . , , weeding, seeding, and fertilizing.

NAC file photo NAC file photo

Chip Harris began digging ginseng and goldenseal with his father His father taught him about managing the forest and how to in the 1970s. Today, he is experimenting with ginseng, goldenseal, make a living off the land. In the 1930’s and 1940’s, his family and black cohosh cultivation on his farm in southern Ohio. sold and moss to florists for Christmas decorations. As his concern about the sustainability of wild Today, the William Slagle “Walnut Meadows” farm near increased and it became more difficult to find good roots, Chip Bruceton Mills, West Virginia, among other things, raises black movwed from wild crafted ginseng to wild simulated ginseng. walnut, ginseng, and shiitake mushrooms. He says, “Eventually, if you wildcraft enough, you get the Slagle says, “ginseng requires intense management, you must notion to cultivate.” the ground by hand.” He has six acres of cultivated gin- So Chip transplanted some wild ginseng to their farm. Today, seng growing in raised beds in a variety of sites under the trees. he harvests only the mature roots, leaving the younger ones to He digs anywhere from 200 to 1,200 pounds of roots per year grow for later harvest. He hopes this will minimize the labor he which he sells to outlets in and New York. and his father must put into cultivation and lead to self-sus- Slagle is a retired vocational teacher. As his profes- taining patches. Harvesting medicinal roots requires a combina- sion would indicate, he enjoys educating others. Each year, his tion of hard physical labor, skill, and luck. students benefited from applying classroom skills to a real While income is his primary motivation, spending time in the working farm; they came out to Walnut Meadows to help with woods is rewarding. His wife has talked about spending more the ginseng, or the shiitake mushrooms, or the walnut trees. time making crafts and they discussed the possibilities of “I hate to see land lay idle and I need an income while my starting a pick-your-own patch and cultivating bitter- 10 acres of black walnut trees mature,” Slagle says. “This 100 sweet for the decorative market. But, for now with help from farm has been good to our family and we have been good his father, Chip is concentrating his energies on goldenseal and to the land.” ] cohosh. He hopes that will generate “a signifi- cant side income” that will carry them into retirement.

Volume 16, Issue Two | Inside Agroforestry 5 Non timber - James Chamberlain usfs research C Scientist Non Timber Forest forest ; - Products Blacksburg VA J , . Whatever the chosen term, these prod- ucts are all based on plants or fungi or products other materials. Wildlife, other fauna, or water and other ser- vices are not included in the definition as they have designated management cate- gories in national legislation and are well Unconventional recognized in forestry. Non-timber forest products come

A VARIETY of terms (e.g., non-tradi- from plants; parts of plants, fungi, and options other biological material. They are har- tional, secondary, minor, non-wood, and special or specialty) have been used to vested from within and on the edges of describe products that come from forests natural, manipulated or disturbed forests. for that are not timber-based. National legis- NTFPs include fungi, moss, lichen, lation uses the term, “forest botanical herbs, , shrubs, or trees. Roots, B X tubers, , bark, twigs and branches, products,” to describe these products. innovative The USDA Forest defines them , sap and , as well as wood, are as, “special forest products.” A more harvested to make non-timber products. landowners common and widespread term is, “non- NTFPs are commonly classified into timber forest products” (NTFP). five product categories. Landscape

products Scarlet curls Zcan be used to make gift baskets. Photo courtesy of Nebraska Forest Service Craft products

Plants collected to produce crafts are numerous. Wood-based crafts are produced from trees or parts of trees, excluding prod- ucts made from cut timber. Some important wood-based Pine straw, raked There is growing interest in using native NTFPs in the central hardwood region include stems from southern plan- plants for landscaping. Native plant nurs- for walking sticks, willow branches for , and white oak tations, is used as eries are popping up all over the place splits for baskets. Products made from vines, such as smokevine landscaping mulch. and more than 500 are listed in the and grapevine, are included in this category. The number of Photo by Terry Bryant, Carthage, NC Directory of Plant Material Providers, species that could be used in production of crafts is only limited published by the USDA Forest Service. to the crafter’s imagination and market acceptance.

6 Inside Agroforestry | Volume 16, Issue Two Culinary Edible NTFPs include: mushrooms, industry fungi, , ferns, greens, roots, and In the southern tubers. Mushrooms and fungi are prob- Appalachian hard- ably the most well known forest edible. wood region of the The production of maple syrup is big United States, food business, particularly in the Northeast. festivals are orga- and are col- nized around the lected and eaten for personal enjoyment emergence of wild or sold for income. onions, known (young, tightly coiled fronds of the ostrich regionally as ramps. ), dandelion greens, and poke salat are Photo courtesy of James eaten in the spring, as well. Eastern black Chamberlain, USFS Research Scientist, walnuts, muscadine grapes, , Blacksburg, VA blackberries, and persimmons are gath- ered, consumed, and sold.

Plants harvested from the forest for their Medicinal dietary therapeutic value are marketed either as and medicines or as herbal remedies. Many L supplements Medicinal proper- prescriptions dispensed in the United ties of plants can be States contain active ingredients extracted found in the leaves, from higher order plants. More than 125 roots, and bark of plant species are harvested from southern trees or shrubs, or forests for their medicinal value, with B in the leaves, more than 80 percent of the forest-har- berries, or fruits of vested ginseng coming from Virginia, herbaceous plants. Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Photo courtesy of Deborah Hill, Extension The central hardwood region of the U.S. is Professor, University of the principal source of many medicinal Kentucky plants, including black cohosh, , goldenseal, and bloodroot. floral and decorative products

E Many forest plants are harvested and used in the . For example, curly willow and dogwood shrubs that have been incorporated into windbreaks or riparian buffers can be harvested for floral arrangements. In the Pacific Northwest, salal leaves, beargrass, and noble fir boughs are common in the floral industry. Sprigs and long-lengths of grapevine and smokevine also may be used as compli- ments or back drops in floral arrange- ments. Several species of moss and lichen Markets have been steadily increasing for floral and greenery products like white pine and are harvested from the forests for the galax (pictured),E Spanish moss, and . Photo by James Chamberlain, USFSResearch Scientist, Blacksburg, VA European floral industry. ]

Volume 16, Issue Two | Inside Agroforestry 7 Migration r of qOq Edited by Kimberly Stuhr What is especially significant about Transfer Specialist / Inside TEKW are the attitudes, motivations, R Agroforestry Editor, USDA National intimate connections, and cultural influ- plants ,q Agroforestry Center, Lincoln, NE ences that underlie the daily interactions between the human and nonhuman ele- ments. Understanding an ecosystem, 7peoplee, PEOPLE have been “managing” land and and how to successfully manage it, is its resources since the beginning of time. more than just recognizing biological  Everyone’s livelihood depended on processes; it is about understanding and and nr observing, utilizing, and respecting the respecting the interconnection of all ele- natural resources that surrounded them. ments, including people and their beliefs As our ancestors migrated, so did the and behaviors. 0 plant species that they used and valued. tradition From early history to the present, As a result, and stock of traditional non-timber forest products (NTFPs) culinary and medicinal herbs with cher- * have contributed to a family’s suste- m x ished characteristics were transported to o nance in a variety of ways. Along with new locations. Along with the plants farming, diaries of Midwestern settlers came knowledge about them. it describe consuming their own maple While indigenous people seldom used to avoid the expense of pur- the term “managing,” anthropologists chasing sweetener and then selling some have long documented the significance of of the sugar for much needed cash. local knowledge to resource . Other economic uses that are integrated Today, people who live and interact as with livelihood strategies include family- part of an ecosystem often have traditions centered subsistence, gift giving, , that have persisted over long periods of petty production, and sale as time. Not only did immigrants bring global commodities. long-established knowl- Lots of NTFPs and customs exist edge and practices with them, but they across the United States. Regional uses adapted these cus- and cultural traditions reflect these dif- toms to their new ferences. Various plants and traditions environment and Understanding an ecosystem, and how are found in contrasting forest ecosys- borrowed from tems from the rain forests of the Pacific to successfully manage it, is more people they Northwest, the mixed conifer-hardwood encountered. By than just recognizing biological forests of the Southeast, the central sharing stories, processes; it is about understanding of the Midwest and spiritual beliefs, Appalachia, the conifers of the Lake and respecting the interconnection of harvesting tech- states, and in the New England forests. all elements, including people and niques, sustain- ability methods, Nonagricultural plants continue to be their beliefs and behaviors. and recipes, elders vital to us for food and medicine and as have transferred, utilitarian and ceremonial materials. The and continue to historical relationship between people and m m m m m m m m pass along, an plants and the social structures and inter- extensive variety actions within which these uses forms our of skills and information to younger gen- current understanding of NTFPs. erations. These indigenous knowledge Based on research and publications by Marla systems are often referred to as Emory, Research Geographer, USFS Northern Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Research Station, Burlington, VT. ] Wisdom (TEKW).

8 Inside Agroforestry | Volume 16, Issue Two Don’t overlook products

A Baltimore non-profit explored the value of of urban NTFPs.

COMMUNITY trees, private and public landscaping, and gardens in the urban environment can often provide nuts, fruits, mushrooms, and decorative greens and cones that can be collected. Though not exactly , in Baltimore,

MD people collect, use, and d even sell Chinese chestnuts, walnuts, maple sap, fruits, figs, and . Community Resources, a non-profit based in Baltimore, explored the uses, issues, and values of urban non- timber forest products (NTFPs). In addi- tion to field and market observations, the In addition to non-timber forest products, urban woods provide air quality and cooling researchers conducted over 100 inter- effects, stabilize soil, and provide wildlife habitat and scenic beauty. Photo by Richard Straight, views to discover the uses, benefits, and USDA National Agroforestry Center values, both monetary and personal, as viewed by both environmental profes- groups including African-American, year for an average mulberry sional and local collectors. Asian-Americans, Native Americans, to over $100 per year Key findings of this research include: Eastern European-Americans, and for mature Chinese q • Over 103 products from 78 species Anglo-Americans. chestnut, apricot, and peach trees. are collected by individuals and • Products are collected • The potential value of NTFPs on organizations in Baltimore City. from street trees, park three one-acre sample plots in the city • These 103 include edible products (43 trees, yards, vacant lots, 3 are on par with the per acre values percent), medicinal products (8 roadsides, and forested areas. suggested for other urban forests percent), horticultural or nursery • The direct net economic value of 60 benefits such as energy savings and products (31 percent), and craft and products ranges from about $0.30 per prevention. decorative products (18 percent). pound for Pokeweed to over $10 per • Urban NTFPs and their collection also • Products are collected by a wide pound for some seeds and mushrooms. provide important educational, nutri- diversity of ethnic and socio-economic Net per tree values range from $4 per tional, cultural, and recreational benefits. • Key issues surrounding urban NTFPs collection include: the lack of collector Examples of urban NTFP’s collected in Baltimore, MD empowerment, conflicts among collectors and property owners, health Some of these products could Edible Horticultural issues and safety, and sustainable be in your neck of the woods. peaches, figs, ash seeds, walnuts, harvest and ecological impact issues. mulberries, acorns, seeds of Adapted from Community Resources. Medicinal Craft wineberries, various , Exploring Urban Non-Timber Forest sassafras bark, pine boughs, pine w chestnuts, gingko , ferns, jewel weed, bee cones, boxwood, nuts, maple syrup, dogwood seedlings, Products: The Hidden Nutritional, , maitake grapevine, forsythia honey, morels, oak seedlings, Economic, Cultural, and Educational sprigs, willow bark native azaleas Resources Of The Urban Environment. ]

Volume 16, Issue Two | Inside Agroforestry 9 Economics continued from page 3

In 1999, the estimated wholesale value of wild edible mush- rooms in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho was $41.1 million. The value of mushroom exports from the Pacific Northwest varies annually from $50 million to $75 million, depending on harvest levels. In 1996, collectors of eastern black walnuts were paid more than $2.5 million. Volunteer fire departments in western North Carolina generate from 30 to 90 percent of their budgets from annual ramp (wild onions or leeks) festivals.

NTFP Decorative products The floral industry relies heavily on products gathered from www.fs.fed.us/ne/burlington/research/ne4454/nontimb/ the forests. Many forest plants and parts of plants are used in 1 This site contains information on gathering skills, decorative arrangements to complement and furnish the back- norms, livelihoods, products, uses, and more. drop for flowers as well as for the main component of dried ornaments. The end uses of these forest plants include www.sfp.forprod.vt.edu wreaths, baskets, greenery, roping, and dried flowers. Serves as a national clearinghouse for NTFP harvesters 2 and growers, marketers, processors, and end-users. For example, in 1995, the U.S. exported moss and lichen, much of which came from southern forests, valued at more www.forestryencyclopedia.net/Encyclopedia/ than $14 million. The sales of a pine roping company in south- Appalachian/resource_management/non-timber_ west Virginia exceeded $1.5 million in 1997. Within Oregon 3 forest_products Presents definitions, historical perspective, market There is a good overview, management, and sustainability of resources demand for about NTFPs harvested from oak ecosystems. NTFP’s used in the floral industry. www.specialforestproducts.com Products such as 4 Established to help users look beyond timber and - sword fern wood with NTFPs found in Midwestern . (pictured), , bark, cones, www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/agroforestry/sare/ boughs, willow 5 This Cornell University site focuses on ginseng, branches, and goldenseal, and mushroom production. others are used for a variety of www.agroforestry.net/overstory/overstory.html purposes. The Overstory is a free email agroforestry journal for NAC file photo 6 practitioners, researchers, professionals, and enthusiasts.

www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/projects/sfp/ Everything you need to know before harvesting on the 7 Tongass National Forest is located here.

www.herbalgram.org and Washington, the industry generates more than $180 million Contains research reviews, grants, conference reports, each year in direct payments to harvesters and landowners. 8 reviews, and legal and regulatory information. Bough collection, for holiday wreaths, is a major economic activity in the northern states of Wisconsin and Michigan. http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet?cultural=yes Offers plant guides about culturally significant plants. 9 It takes time to understand the ins and outs of local, www.royalroads.ca/programs/faculties-schools-cen- national, and international markets for non-timber products. tres/non-timber-resources But as you can see there is profit potential if one is willing to 10 Supports the sustainable utilization of NTFPs in the invest the time and effort. ] temperate and boreal regions of the world. ]

10 Inside Agroforestry | Volume 16, Issue Two Forest farming by any other name

Multi-story cropping is a new NRCS practice standard

Bruce Wight NRCS Lead Agroforester, USDA National Agroforestry Center, Lincoln, NE

The Natural Resources Conservation Service ( NRCS) completed the suite of five agroforestry practice standards when it added “multi-story cropping” to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices in 2006. Multi-story cropping is defined as, “an existing or planted stand of As many as seven layers may be found in a multi-story operation: the canopy, low-tree trees or shrubs that are managed as an layer, layer, herbaceous layer, ground-cover layer, , and a vertical layer overstory with an understory of woody (climbers). Photos by Tony Ingersoll, USDA NRCS and/or non-woody plants that are grown for a variety of products.” trees can result in the production of • improve soil quality by increasing This practice standard is intended to clean, knot-free wood that will eventually utilization and cycling of encompass what the National bring a higher economic return. and maintaining or increasing soil Agroforestry Center and other agro- organic matter; forestry specialists call, “forest farming.” NRCS field staff from the Pacific Forest farming has been defined as, “the Islands advocated the development of a • increase net carbon storage in plant intentional manipulation, integration, and conservation practice standard that would and soil. With the national intensive management of forested lands describe some of the traditional manage- practice standard developed, NRCS that capitalize on specific plant interac- ment of their forests where plant state staffs now have the option of tions to produce non-timber products.” are grown in multiple layers within the developing a state standard that will This is not just wild harvesting of some forest from the forest canopy through the be specific to conditions in the state. understory plants such as mushrooms, but mid-level layers on down to the forest The multi-story cropping conservation is a very intentional management system. floor. After much discussion, the term practice will help facilitate sustainable “multi-story cropping,” was selected as Many high-value non-timber systems that incorporate the best term to describe this manage- crops (NTFPs) (e.g., ginseng, goldenseal, NTFPs into a landowner’s operation. A black and blue number of innovative landowners are cohosh, ramps, and With a national standard developed, already applying multi-story cropping. decorative ferns) Tom Wahl, in southeastern Iowa, is are cultivated under NRCS state staffs now have the option developing “four story ” with the protection of a of developing a state standard. grants from the Practical Farmers of Iowa forest canopy that and the Research has been modified to provide appropriate and Education program. The four levels ment approach. The multi-story cropping microclimate and light conditions. include: medicinal roots from under- conservation practice standard has three Meanwhile, the timber stand improvement ground, medicinal plants at ground level, general purposes: activities are carried out to develop the wood from the tree trunks up to about appropriate understory conditions. For • improve crop diversity by growing twelve feet, and at the fourth level the example, thinning less desirable trees and mixed but compatible crops having fruit, nuts, and leaves that are produced in pruning lower branches on the eventual different heights on the same area; the canopy. ]

Volume 16, Issue Two | Inside Agroforestry 11 Upcoming Events

October 23– 27, 2007 http://www.wildlifehc.org/events/ http://www.awra.org/meetings/Virginia_ Society Of American ( SAF) symposium.cfm. Beach2008/index.html National Convention: “Sustaining America’s Forests.” Portland, OR. February 4, 2008 For more upcoming events, visit our Contact: SAF, 866–897–8720, Call For . American Water website calendar: www.unl.edu/nac/ http://www.safconvention.org/natcon-07. Resources Association ( AWRA) calendar.htm. Summer Specialty Conference: November 12–13, 2007 “Riparian Ecosystems & Buffers: Wildlife Habitat Council Nineteenth Working at the Water’s Edge,” June Annual Symposium: “The Value Of 30 – July 2, 2008, Virginia Beach, VA. Green.” Baltimore, MD. Contact: [email protected],

Mission Policy The USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC) is a of USDA policy prohibits discrimination the Forest Service ( and State and because of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, or handicapping “Inside Agroforestry” is published three times per year by the Private Forestry) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. condition. Any person who believes he USDA National Agroforestry Center. Phone: 402–437–5178; It is administered by the Forest Service, Southern Research Station; or she has been discriminated against in Fax: 402–437–5712. and its program manager and headquarters are located in Huntsville, AL, on the campus of Alabama A&M University, while NAC’s staff any USDA-related activity should • Greg Ruark, NAC Program Manager (256–372–4540) are located at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln NE; University of immediately contact the Secretary of • Michele Schoeneberger, FS Research Lead (ext. 21) Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. NAC • Rich Straight, FS Lead Agroforester (ext. 24) Idaho, ID, and in Blacksburg, VA. ’s purpose is to Opinions expressed in “Inside • Bruce Wight, NRCS Lead Agroforester (ext. 36) accelerate the development and application of agroforestry tech- • Kimberly Stuhr, Technology Transfer Specialist/ nologies to attain more economically, environmentally, and socially Agroforestry” are those of the author “Inside Agroforestry” Editor (ext. 13) sustainable systems. To accomplish its mission, NAC inter- and do not necessarily represent the • Ryan Dee, Technology Transfer Assistant/ acts with a national network of partners and cooperators to conduct policy of the USDA Forest Service and “Inside Agroforestry” Designer (ext. 14) research, develop and tools, establish demonstrations, the USDA Natural Resources www.unl.edu/nac and provide useful information to professionals. Conservation Service.

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