Fall 2001 / Winter 2002

N a t i o n Insidea l A g r o f o r e s t r y C e n t e r

ALLEY CROPPING 20/20 VISION FOR FARMING’S FUTURE This issue of Inside Agroforestry highlights the potential of alley cropping practices to diversify and improve farm economics. As you read this issue, think of innovative landowners who you can talk to who might benefit from alley cropping’s versatility. Considerations for Designing an Alley Inside Cropping Practice MIXING IT UP: CHRISTMAS & Alley cropping is broadly defined as the Reduce soil from wind and water 4 BLACK WALNUT planting of single or multiple rows of trees – Soils with a high erodibility index (greater into a field of or forage. The rows than eight) are susceptible to damage and are create protected alleys for the agricultural or difficult to protect when managed as - ANOTHER WAY TO horticultural crops. land. Alley cropping protects fragile soils 5 COMBAT SOIL EROSION through a network of tree and grass and Role on the farm supplemental ground cover resulting from There are numerous roles that alley cropping fallen leaves and the companion crop. Rows ALLEY CROPPING = can play on a farm or acreage: of trees, shrubs, and/or grasses planted on the ECONOMIC DIVERSITY Diversify farm products – Alley cropping contour of a slope will also serve to reduce provides the opportunity to grow or other soil movement down the slope. Wind speeds tree products such as nuts or fruit, while produc- can also be reduced with beneficial effects ing annual income through companion crops. similar to that of field . Supplement income – Timber and non- Improves Soil – Alley cropping can reduce 6-7 timber products may contribute to income crop evapotranspiration by 15 to 30 percent generation. In addition to the potential for and increase water content in the tillage layer producing nuts, berries, and fruits, well-man- by five to 15 percent. Deep tree roots trans- TIMBERBELTS: aged timber can provide a long-term timber 10 A NEW LOOK AT WINDBREAKS investment. see DESIGN on page 9 NAC Director’s Corner A commentary on the status of agroforestry by Center Director, Dr. Greg Ruark Alley Cropping: An Underutilized Option

n the farm making a living from year to year is fraught age crops, as well as specialty crops, such as catnip or St. with uncertainty. Success depends on weather condi- John’s Wort, have been shown to grow well in alley cropping Otions and favorable markets at harvest. Alley cropping systems. The type of agricultural crop grown will vary over systems provide a way to lower risk by diversifying produc- time as the trees mature and produce more shade. tion. In alley cropping an agricultural crop is grown in the Two years ago the National Association of Resource “alley” formed between tree rows. This provides for the gen- Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils conducted eration of annual income from agricultural crops, while the a national survey of agroforestry. Although 22 states were tree crop is managed as a long-term economic investment. An reported to be using alley cropping systems, it was found to be attractive feature of installing alley cropping is that it allows a the least pervasive of the agroforestry practices. It was most landowner to gradually transition a field into an alley crop- commonly encountered east of the Mississippi River, although ping system, while continuing to crop most of the field area several states in the Great Plains and the Northwest were also each year. using the practice. The main motivation reported for adopting Traditionally, fine quality hardwoods such as walnut, alley cropping was to improve farm economics. Other reasons pecan, and oaks have been preferred species, as they can be included controlling field erosion, improving , managed to produce high-value or veneer logs. More and providing . Typically, hardwood tree recently, fast-growing hybrid poplars (mainly cottonwoods) species are being used in single and multiple row arrange- are being grown for pulpwood or even sawtimber where wood ments, but some locations do employ softwoods. The survey markets exist. When nut-bearing trees are used, they can pro- concluded that the greatest impediments to further adoption of vide an intermediate product for sale in as little as seven to ten the practice were the lack of knowledge by natural resource years. In addition to improving annual cash flow, these sys- professionals and landowners and the need for more localized tems can also protect annual crops from wind, reduce soil ero- demonstrations that illustrate the practice and document sion, and provide wildlife habitat. Most row, grain, and for- economic returns.

New in 2002! Selected NAC Publications have been translated into Spanish

Agroforestería por Dentro, Verano 1998 Inside Agroforestry, Summer 1998 Árboles Trabajando en Beneficio de la Agricultura Working Trees for Árboles Trabajando en Beneficio de la Ganadería Working Trees for Livestock Árboles Trabajando en Beneficio de la Ganadería - Agroforestería: Silvicultura en el Sureste de los EE. UU. Working Trees for Livestock - Agroforestry: Silvopasture in the Southeast

Notas de Agroforestería Agroforestry Notes #8 Silvopastoreo: Una práctica agroforestal Silvopasture: An Agroforestry Practice #9 Biología Silvopastoril The Biology of Silvopastoralism #18 De un Bosque de Pino hacia un Sistema Silvopastoril From a Pine to a Silvopasture System #22 De sistemas Pastoriles a Silvopastoriles From a Pasture to a Silvopasture System

2 Inside Agroforestry | Fall 2001 / Winter 2002 When properly applied, alley cropping can help meet specific needs of a landowner while at the same time preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the family farm. Agroforestry and Alley Cropping: Opportunities for the 21st Century and Beyond

Gene Garrett, Director, University of agricultural lands. A conversion of this model that requires a shift in our thinking Missouri, Center for Agroforestry magnitude, however, requires an economic and perspective, and demands skills in man- justification. The returns on conventional aging rather than reducing complexity. It Agroforestry has an important role to practices typically are not enough challenges us to transcend disciplinary play in revitalizing rural America. Both the in many regions of the US and Canada to boundaries and explore the potential syner- need and opportunities for agroforestry are serve as an inducement to farmers and other gisms created from synthesizing, integrating overwhelming. landowners to make this conversion. and diversifying landscapes. When properly Historically, much of North America Never before in the history of North applied, the agroforestry model can meet was covered with . However, with American agriculture has the opportunity the specific needs of the landowner and the increasing demand for building materi- for agroforestry adoption been greater. As society while preserving the integrity, sta- als and agriculture in the late 1800s and part of an ecologically-based land manage- bility, and beauty of the family farm. At a early 1900s, our forested acres declined. ment system, agroforestry can contribute time when rural America is looking for Forest area in the US has remained relative- substantially to generating the alternatives to “help pay the bills” and a ly consistent since the 1930s but recently diversity and processes that are so impor- shortfall is predicted for wood production in we have begun to again see a reduction in tant to long-term sustainability and prof- the US this match appears to be natural. forest acreage as development pressures itability. In contrast to the industrial agricul- Alley cropping, an intensive land-man- have increased. Many in our society, for ture/ models that have agement program that optimizes the bene- reasons of resource, economic, environmen- dominated development through the 1990s fits from the biophysical interactions creat- tal, and social considerations, would like to and are now being challenged due to high ed when trees and/or shrubs are deliberately see a stronger transition from conventional environmental costs and the degradation of combined with crops, provides a means of cropping systems to combinations of crop- rural economies, agroforestry offers a more integrating land-use management systems lands and forests or permanent forests on holistic land-use management model for the much of our marginal and less productive 21st century and beyond. However, it is a see OPPORTUNITIES on page 10

Fall 2001 / Winter 2002 | Inside Agroforestry 3 Close-up of black walnut trees (left). Black walnut trees being “trained” to grow straight for an even- tual high-value lumber crop next to Douglas fir Christmas trees (right). Oregon Family Farm Mixes Christmas Trees and Black Walnut

Miles Merwin, President, Association for nut to a final crop spacing of 30 X 30 foot. inherent in agroforestry versus monoculture. Temperate Agroforestry (AFTA) (about 50/ac). His aim is to produce a straight, According to Stan, who manages the four foot diameter log in about 75 years that Christmas tree operation, there is an econom- Are Joe and Stan Low of Beavercreek, will yield high-value timber or veneer. ic cost to alley cropping. Labor costs to shear Oregon mainly Christmas trees growers or Fast-growing and commercially-valuable Christmas trees intercropped with black wal- black walnut growers? The answer is both, Douglas fir is co-dominant with walnut and nut are higher because extra care and time but the question stirs an amicable, on-going serves as a “crowd tree” to force the walnut to must be taken to avoid damage to the walnut. debate between father and son. Forestry, agri- produce tall, straight stems. In stands where Joe Weed control during the early years of estab- culture, and agroforestry all coexist profitably has simultaneously planted walnut and Douglas lishment is also more problematic when firs on their 900 acre Highland Farm in the north- fir at the same initial spacing (200 trees per and walnuts are mixed. ern Willamette Valley. acre), he will be able to choose at the time of As the walnut trees mature, they compete A native of West Virginia, Joe learned first thinning whether to leave the walnut or the for light with the Christmas trees. Stan has the value of black walnut timber during the Doug fir to grow as the final timber crop. observed that shade will degrade the needle Depression years. After moving to Oregon in In some stands, Joe has interplanted the length and color of the firs compared to open- 1943, he began a 30-year career in the relatively-slower growing but more valuable grown trees, and therefore decreases their sawmilling business, primarily cutting native noble fir, planted on 5 X 5 foot. spacing, with quality and potential price as Christmas trees. Douglas fir in the local area. But, his interest walnut on 15 X 15 foot. centers. Noble fir is He suggests that increasing the initial in black walnut remained, prompting him to ready for harvest as Christmas trees in eight spacing of the walnuts would help overcome some of Oregon’s first stands of walnut to10 years, compared to about seven years for these problems. If the walnuts were planted at for timber 35 years ago. Over the past 20 Douglas fir Christmas trees. 15 X 20 or 25 feet, in every fourth or fifth years, Joe and his son Stan have established row instead of every third row, the firs would over 200 acres of black walnut/Christmas tree The alley cropping have more available light and develop into alley cropping - or vice versa. enterprise at Highland Farms higher quality Christmas trees. Shearing costs “I planted almost every tree on the is a good example of the extra would also be reduced, he said, by allowing place,” Joe said, referring to the 50,000 black more space for the firs. walnuts now growing on Highland Farm. management and economic Whatever they decide for initial spacing “Timber has always been my business and tradeoffs inherent in agro- and management, it is obvious that the Lows I’m serious about walnut timber.” forestry versus monoculture. have a very large resource of valuable hard- In Joe’s experience, eastern black walnut wood timber slowly maturing to harvest age. grows well in the Willamette Valley. The In all of his plantings at Highland Farm, Joe anticipates that this resource will create only disease he has encountered is walnut Joe has planted nuts rather than seedlings. markets for his timber both locally and over- anthracnose, but he says it is less of a problem Experience has shown him the importance of seas, especially in Europe. There will also be in Oregon than in the warm humid climates direct seeding to develop a strong taproot that a substantial nut crop that could be processed of the Midwest. Weed control is the main cul- will produce hardy trees better able to cope on-site or shipped to processors in California. tural practice, Joe said, along with training with Oregon’s dry summers. Joe has scouted all Joe is also thinking about other potential during the early years of establishment to cor- the best walnut trees in the local area and each intercrops that could be produced among his rect stem form deficiencies. year collects nuts from selected trees for planti- black walnuts after the Christmas trees are At Highland Farm, black walnuts are ng. He either the nuts in the fall or strati- harvested. After canopy closure occurs, he planted on a 15 X 15 foot spacing (about 200 fies them during the winter for spring planting. said that ginseng could be cultivated under trees per acre) with either Douglas fir or noble The alley cropping enterprise at the trees in a regime. fir as the short-rotation intercrop. About 25 Highland Farms is a good example of the Reprinted from The Temperate Agro- years after planting, Joe plans to thin the wal- extra management and economic tradeoffs , (AFTA), April 1998 (Vol. 6, No 2).

4 Inside Agroforestry | Fall 2001 / Winter 2002 Stop Soil Erosion with Alley Cropping

oil erosion from water on sloping land the contour with a vegetative barrier or into a continues to be a significant concern for wider strip of grass as with a contour buffer Smany agricultural producers in the strip. The tree/grass combinations in a contour United States. Many different soil conserva- buffer strip can vary in width along the length tion practices are applied to reduce this soil of the strip to accommodate the natural lay of erosion including conservation tillage, ter- the land thus eliminating small odd areas that races, contour strip cropping, contour buffer would be difficult to crop. The tree/grass strip strips, vegetative barriers, and others. These should not be less than 30 feet in width. The practices are usually applied in different com- width of the agricultural crop strip is constant binations with crops to form a conservation for the entire strip length and is determined by cropping system. One variation to these tradi- farm machinery widths and the maximum tional approaches is alley cropping, where an slope distance allowable to control erosion agricultural crop is grown simultaneously and water borne contaminants. With these with a long-term tree crop to provide annual width guidelines, the agricultural crop will not income while the tree crop matures. experience production losses from tree com- Soil erosion, as seen below, The spatial arrangement of the trees in petition throughout the entire length of the can be reduced with alley cropping. Trees in an alley an alley cropping system depends on the tree rotation. cropping system take up landowner’s objectives. For example, if the Two demonstrations have been estab- excess water and create a landowner wants to reduce erosion and con- lished in Iowa using this approach. The stable zone of permanent tinue to grow agricultural crops for a long tree/grass strips contained three to four rows , while at the same time provide economic and period, the alley cropping system can be con- of trees with the outside rows being conifers conservation benefits. figured similarly to contour strip cropping. In Photo courtesy USDA NRCS this case the trees and/or shrubs ae planted on see EROSION on page 11

see POPLAR on page 11

Fall 2001 / Winter 2002 | Inside Agroforestry 5 H O W T O BUILD ECONOMIC DIVERSITY

with Adapted From: Economic Budgeting for Agroforestry Practices. By Larry A L L E Y D. Godsey, University of Missouri, Center for Agroforestry. C R O P P I N G March 2000.

lley cropping can be economically ning horizon may be as long as sixty years attractive for some landowners in that when the trees are taken into consideration. Ait provides a strategy for economic Furthermore, because of the long planning diversification where long-term income from horizon of alley cropping, many of the rev- trees is combined with continued annual enues and costs do not occur at regular or income from cropping or livestock. However, predictable intervals throughout the entire before venturing into alley cropping its eco- planning horizon. nomic aspects should be evaluated to provide Additionally, because alley cropping typ- a basis for estimating financial needs and fea- ically incorporates a fixed tree component sibility, highlights trade-offs between multiple with a crop or livestock component, the crop benefits, and monitors economic efficiency. or livestock component may change over time. For example, an alley cropping practice Unique Characteristics of Alley may start out as grown between Cropping: rows of eastern black walnut trees, but by the Long planning horizon time the trees are producing nuts, hay may be Irregular occurrences of costs and revenues the crop grown between the rows of trees Fixed tree component with variable crop because a more uniform surface is required to or livestock component harvest the nuts. The main technique used in economic These characteristics of alley cropping analysis is budgeting. Economic budgeting is practices require a specific type of budgeting a very flexible process. Alley cropping, how- method that will be flexible enough to allow ever, poses some unique budgeting problems for variable crop and/or livestock compo- because it involves multiple enterprises with nents, as well as being comprehensive varying production cycles. enough to show annual cash flows for the Rows of trees create a productive Unlike most agricultural commodities, entire planning horizon. environment for irises, while at the same time produce a tree crop of nuts alley cropping has a “planning horizon” of or wood chips as pictured above. greater than one season due to the tree com- Budgeting ponent. A “planning horizon” is simply the Budgeting is a two-step process: time period in which all costs and revenues Develop enterprise budgets for a given practice are realized. For soy- Combine the enterprise budgets into a beans, a planning horizon may be six months cash flow plan. to a year. For alley cropping, a simple plan- An enterprise budget is simply a com- 6 Inside Agroforestry | Fall 2001 / Winter 2002 A black walnut/forage alley cropping system can produce hay, nuts, firewood from thinnings, and eventually high-value walnut lumber or veneer. plete, detailed listing of all the costs and rev- costs can be grouped into cash and non-cash ping practice may combine a tree enterprise enues expected for each single enterprise, costs. Variable cash costs include payments with a hay and livestock enterprise. As men- such as corn, livestock, or trees. A cash flow for establishment, maintenance, harvesting, tioned earlier, often times the tree enterprise is plan combines the details from the different and marketing. Variable non-cash costs do constant while the crop or livestock enterpris- enterprise budgets in an alley cropping prac- not require a cash outlay, but reflect opportu- es vary over time. Cash flow planning has two tice and adds a time dimension. The enterprise nity costs. Opportunity cost is simply the major benefits for agroforestry economic budget provides a framework for reporting value of the next best alternative that is not analysis: 1) a cash flow plan allows for multi- and monitoring the profitability of each enter- chosen. For example, labor supplied by fami- ple enterprises to be considered; and 2) a cash prise, and the cash flow plan provides the ly members may not require a cash outlay, flow plan incorporates a time dimension. information necessary to assess and forecast but should still be considered in the economic Using a cash flow plan in conjunction the economic feasibility of the alley cropping analysis since the opportunity to do some- with enterprise budgets can simplify the system over time. thing else is expended. process of economic analysis by allowing the The third and final step to preparing an enterprise budgets to reflect the detailed infor- Developing the Enterprise Budgets enterprise budget is to list all fixed costs. mation, and the cash flow plans reflect a The development of an enterprise budget is a Fixed costs are typically those costs that are broader economic picture. In this way the pro- three-step process: attributed to resource ownership. Fixed costs ducer can compare resource management List all possible sources of revenue for an occur regardless of any productive activity alternatives to determine the one that best enterprise. being attempted. Fixed cash costs usually meets management goals. List all possible sources of variable costs. include property taxes, insurance, interest on List all possible fixed costs. intermediate or long-term debt, and lease Reassessment For the tree component of an alley crop- agreements. Fixed non-cash costs are impor- Economic analysis is not meant to be, nor is it ping system it is important to list not only the tant when developing an investment analysis, designed to be, a one-time activity. It is sources, but also list the timing of revenues. because these costs have significant influence designed to be a roadmap for a dynamic and For example, an alley cropping practice with on taxes. However, these costs are difficult to living system. Reassessment takes the infor- eastern black walnut trees may receive CRP determine. Depreciation and land costs are mation gathered in the economic analysis and payments for the first 15 years of the planning the two main areas of fixed non-cash costs. combines it with other information to change horizon but not after that period. Income from the original goals or fine-tune the design so nut production may start at year ten or twelve From Enterprise Budgets to Cash that it is more successful at meeting those and continue until the tree is harvested for Flow Plans goals. Reassessment is the continuous loop wood in year fifty-five or sixty. Once enterprise budgets are developed, a cash that helps redefine goals, adjust designs, and Variable costs are those costs attributed flow plan for the alley cropping practice can modify indicators. Economic analysis is just to the productive use of resources. Variable be developed. A well-established alley crop- one part of the reassessment loop. Fall 2001 / Winter 2002 | Inside Agroforestry 7 TIMBERBELTS Holding Up the Farm Scott J. Josiah double the area protected from wind. In dry years, crop Extension Forester, University of Nebraska-Lincoln yields in these adjacent protected areas can be expected to be 10 to 20 percent greater than in unprotected fields, resulting Timberbelts are multiple row windbreaks that are plant- in greater whole farm profitability. In addition, the trees are ed with commercially valuable, fast growing trees to produce slated for harvesting in six to eight more years, and are wood products. Timberbelts are a good example of “produc- expected to produce 35 cords (128 cubic feet) of wood per tive conservation,” that is, a conservation practice that creates acre, worth $1,400 per acre at today’s stumpage prices a new source of income, while improving the crop environ- (approximately $40 per cord). ment and protecting and conserving resources. Timberbelts can improve net farm income, sequester car- A network of four-year-old experimental hybrid poplar bon, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve water quality. (cottonwoods) timberbelts of varying widths (two to 14 They serve as windbreaks to reduce soil erosion, increase rows) in west-central Minnesota are demonstrating the crop yields, and improve public safety through enhanced power of this concept to quickly provide wind protection snow management. Other benefits include diversifying farm- over large areas, as well as to produce large amounts of sal- ing systems and agricultural landscapes, improving soil quali- able wood fiber. Trees growing on the better soils, without ty, reducing the input and transport of agricultural chemicals supplemental irrigation, average 29 feet tall and four inches and , and improving local air quality. Because they in diameter at breast height (4.5 feet above the ground). both protect adjacent crops from the wind and pro- These timberbelts are providing substantial wind protection duce wood products, timberbelts are an agroforestry 15 times the height of the trees or nearly 450 feet into the practice that becomes a new profit center for the farm. adjacent fields. It would take more traditional species (green ash, eastern red cedar, and pine) up to 20 years Above: Timberbelts can create a new source of wood-based to provide similar levels of protection. These timberbelts are income, while enhancing the crop environment, and protecting expected to reach 60 feet in height in six years, which will and conserving natural resources.

8 Inside Agroforestry | Fall 2001 / Winter 2002 plant on the growth of nearby plants. The cropping systems. Plants that can be market- Design current trend is to accept a broader definition ed for their medicinal, ornamental, or food continued from page 1 that includes both the positive and negative values (including ginseng, St. John’s Wort, influence that a plant has on the growth of goldenseal, wildflowers for seed, pumpkin, port soil nutrients to leaves. Leaves contribute nearby plants. This includes interactions small fruit trees, etc.) also provide unique organic matter to soil and release nutrients as induced by the release of organic and other opportunities in alley cropping. Species that they decompose. chemicals, such as nitrogen, acids, and/or are light demanding can be established in Create and provide wildlife habitat – growth inhibitors. the alleyways while those requiring some Linear plantings of trees and/or shrubs in an Companion crops are planted in the shade can be planted within the tree rows as agricultural landscape increases the wildlife alleys between the tree rows. The choice of shade develops. habitat diversity, both through increased amount of edge and/or as a result of the increased diversity (vertical and horizontal) of vegetative types. Increased vertical complexi- ty has been correlated with higher bird num- bers. These areas can also serve as protective corridors for wildlife movement and provide a food source. Reduce non-point source pollutants deliv- ery off-site – Fertilizers, in excess of that taken up by the crop, can be utilized by the tree, shrub, and/or grass plantings whose density is typically greater than traditional annual agronomic crops. This same benefit can apply to and herbicides, which infiltrate soil profiles and then move horizon- tally through the soil until reaching zones in which plant roots act as filters.

Designing an alley cropping practice Determine the landowners objectives and site conditions Consider the physical interactions between the woody component and the crop

Each alley cropping practice can be Each alley cropping practice can be uniquely designed to reflect landowner needs and site uniquely designed to reflect landowner needs potential. and site potential. However, there are physi- cal interactions between the rows of woody companion crops will vary depending on the Arrangement of tree rows and species and the companion crop that should types of trees selected. There are three major number of rows be understood and reflected in the alley crop- groups of crops that can be grown in an alley As mentioned earlier, landowner objectives ping practice design. cropping practice. Initially, the growing envi- will determine the products to be harvested Physical growth traits of individual trees ronment in the alley will be favorable to row from the alley cropping practice. These objec- and how these influence the crop, are based crops requiring full sun, but as the trees grow tives also determine the arrangement of trees on three factors: they produce more shade leading the produc- and crops and the set of management prac- Light competition – A tree species should er to either thin and prune the trees or switch tices needed to obtain those products. Alley be selected that best accommodates the light to a more shade tolerant crop. cropping practices are highly diverse and needs of a selected crop. Some tree species Typical companion crops include: range from simple to complex. Plantings can have small leaves and feathery foliage cast- Row crops – Typical row crops, such as consist of a single or multiple tree species. ing a light shade and lend themselves well to corn, soybeans, or wheat, can be used for sev- Similarly, single or multiple tree rows may be alley cropping. Additionally, tree spacing eral years. Depending upon the selected tree used. While past practices have emphasized and row orientation, an understanding of species and the row spacing, shade can the establishment of monocultures, today’s crown and foliage characteristics and timely become a problem within three or four years emphasis on optimizing and cre- thinning are all considerations for managing (fast-growing species such as poplar) or in a ating more sustainable systems requires dif- light intensity. decade or more with slower growing species ferent designs that incorporate mixed species Root competition – Competition for water (oak, walnut, etc.). plantings. There are several key factors to and nutrients between the tree and the inter- Forages – In an alley cropping practice, consider when planning and establishing the cropped species not only affects the yields of forage crops such as fescue, orchard grass, or practice on a given site: the companion crop but also the growth of the alfalfa, are grown for hay production between Single or mixed species, Single tree row trees. Tree species have different root zones rows of planted trees, but are not grazed. This or multiple rows, Tree arrangement within and site requirements. distinguishes the alley cropping practice from the row – Each of these considerations can Allelopathy – Traditionally, literature has a silvopasture practice. affect the following: biodiversity, wildlife used the term allelopathy (Greek: allelon, on Specialty – More often associated with habitat, economics, plant competition, plant- another; pathos, suffering) to denote the neg- the forest farming practice, specialty crops ative biochemical influence exerted by one also have potential for integration into alley see DESIGN (2) on page 11 Fall 2001 / Winter 2002 | Inside Agroforestry 9 Opportunities continued from page 3 for optimal production and conservation benefits. Through the appli- cation of agroforestry’s alley cropping principles, large acreages of agricultural lands could gradually be removed from pure agricultural crops and placed into various combinations of trees and crops with- out financial loss to the landowner and with much gain for society. However, if alley cropping is to be broadly adopted and its principles applied in North America, both need and opportunity —A concise source of must be clearly demonstrated. Landowners, in general, and farmers pertinent information, in particular must be convinced that if they practice alley cropping, a resource packed the accrued benefits, including profits earned, will justify their with practical advice actions. and innovations. Alley cropping presents an opportunity for the family farm. It Adam J. Tomasek, capitalizes on the interactions created when trees and crops are World Wildlife Fund, grown together and bridges the gap between production agriculture Washington, DC and natural resource management while providing environmental protection. Among the benefits resulting from the interactions creat- ed are increased crop production, alternative crops and diversified rural economies, improved water quality, filtering and biodegrading of excess nutrients and pesticides, reduced flooding, microclimate moderation, diversified for wildlife and people, and the The Overstory Book restoration of degraded . Cultivating Connections with Trees The face of rural America has changed from a constellation of small family farms banding together to meet the food needs of a hungry nation to one dominated by large corporate farms producing Whether in a small backyard or a larger farm or forest, trees surpluses that help feed hungry millions abroad. Our largest 600,000 are vital to the web of life. Protecting and planting trees can farms account for more than ninety percent of US farm output. The restore wildlife habitat, heal degraded land, conserve soil, pro- remaining 1.5 million farms produce only six percent of our food tect watersheds, diversify farm or garden products, beautify needs. Found within that 1.5 million farms are millions of acres of landscapes, and enhance the economic and ecological viability “under-used” land ideally suited for the application of agroforestry. of land use systems. Careful planning and sound information is In transitioning to alley cropping, owners of small family farms needed to reach these goals. could improve their finances and in the process retain a way of life that has been handed down from one generation to the next. Long- The Overstory Book distills essential information about work- term, they could expect strong markets for their wood products and ing with trees into 72 short, easy-to-read, single-subject chap- through careful planning could select companion crops for their ters. Each chapter shares key concepts and useful information, trees that could be marketed locally, regionally, and nationally. so readers can get back to effectively planting and protecting Success of such an endeavor is obviously tied to maintaining a cash more trees, gardens, and forests. flow while waiting for the trees to produce fruit (pecans, walnuts, chestnuts), specialty products (pine straw, floral green products, Book $39.95 plus shipping • CD $16.95 plus shipping chemicals) or wood. This is achieved by carefully selecting crops for which known markets exist and diversifying so that several mar- To order visit www.agroforestry.net or send check or money kets can be explored simultaneously. Should a market dry up due to order to Permanent Agriculture Resources, PO Box 428, competition, either new markets must be found or new crops estab- Holualoa, HI 96725 USA lished for which markets exist. Rural America is in need of revitalization. While alley crop- ping’s potential varies by region due to diverse landscapes, values and regional/local markets and economies, the need for adoption and the opportunities afforded the adopter are without question. Adoption within the US is currently on the upswing thanks to greater landowner awareness. This heightened awareness is attrib- uted to a dramatic increase in the number of professionals actively Proceedings Now Available! researching and teaching agroforestry principles, better national and regional organizations of agroforestry enthusiasts, and greater From Northeast Agroforestry Carbon Conference involvement of these enthusiasts and their organizations in securing October 2-4, 2001 Binghampton, New York state and national policies to support agroforestry. It can provide multiple and long-term benefits to the user and Please send a check in the amount of $25.00 payable to: society and can help meet the ecological, socioeconomic and cultur- CNY RC&D, 99 North Broad Street, Norwich, NY 13815 al needs of land management, provide raw wood products to off-set the loss from public lands, and help preserve a way of Postage is included with this price. It weighs approximately life that is critical to the revitalization of rural America. 2.5 lbs and over 100 pages! Includes: Handouts, PowerPoint presentations, etc.

10 Inside Agroforestry | Fall 2001 / Winter 2002 nomic analysis based on one of the Iowa Erosion demonstrations. They used a row cropping Design (2) continued from page 5 sequence of corn and soybeans with conven- continued from page 9 tional tillage as a base and then added differ- and the inside row(s) a hardwood. The ent conservation practices, including contour insect relationships, the environment, tree conifers were placed in the outside rows to be strip cropping, contour tree buffer strips, and form, and erosion. used as trainer trees to reduce lower branch- terraces. A scenario incorporating income Width of alleys – Tree rows are typically ing on the high-value hardwoods, and also to from the Conservation Reserve Program established in a straight line, or along a con- absorb the damage that machinery in the field (CRP) was also included. The contour tree tour, with an alley between them. Whether could cause on the hardwood crop trees. The buffer analysis included four tree species: single or multiple tree rows are established, rows of trees were spaced about nine to 10 black walnut, red oak, white oak, and ash. the overall success of any alley cropping pro- feet apart and the trees in the row were six Sensitivity analyses were also carried out on gram often is linked directly to the spacing feet apart. Herbicide was applied in a band land values, real interest rates, and the pro- between the rows of trees. Allowing for ade- along the tree rows to reduce weed and grass jected costs and revenues associated with the quate space for the annual crop is a must if competition during establishment. Vegetation different scenarios. the system is to be economically productive. between the rows was periodically mowed. Results from this study indicate that con- Equipment size – It is important to consid- An initial measurement of sedimentation in tour tree buffers provide an economically fea- er the size of all farm equipment that will be the tree/grass strips at one site showed that sible alternative for agricultural lands that operating in the alleys. The alley should be was effectively trapped in the strip. have soil erosion, a low land value and low wide enough to allow clear passage of the A third demonstration is being established at crop yield. On higher value land wih greater widest piece of equipment. Another alterna- Farm near Nebraska City, productivity the wide tree/grass strips were tive is to allow clear passage of multiple Nebraska using a similar design but incorpo- not economically feasible. However, if the widths of equipment (Example: 13-foot wide rating additional species that can be used for value of other landowner objectives is con- disk and 60-foot alleyway allowing four pass- decorative florals, nuts and fruits. sidered, the economic feasibility will es of the disk [52 feet] plus a buffer to ensure Although this type of system can provide improve. Contour tree buffers rely on the row that no damage is done to the trees). Be sure improved soil and water quality, is it econom- crop cash flow initially, but unlike some of to plan for space of the tree crown area. This ical? Incorporating trees into this type of soil the other conservation practices, the contour is particularly important in nut production conservation system decreases the overall risk tree buffer provides future revenue. This when early crown development is desirable. in the farming operation by integrating a vari- study focused on the economics of contour Changes through time – Over time, shade ety of crops that can respond to diverse mar- tree buffers, but they also provide several in the alleyways will increase due to the kets. The agricultural crops provide annual non-market values that are difficult to quanti- developing crowns. Row crops can be grown cash flow while the tree crops are increasing fy. These non-market values may include until shading reduces the productivity of the in value over the long term. Depending on the reduced soil erosion, improved water quality, site for those crops. At this time, the compan- site characteristics, using fine hardwoods like added landscape diversity, and enhanced ion crops must be changed or trees must be walnut, oak, ash, and pecan can potentially wildlife habitat. Landowners who value these thinned to reduce competition. produce high value lumber or veneer logs. items and want to develop a long-term invest- Incorporating improved tree and shrub ment, should consider the contour tree buffer Alley cropping offers another land stew- species that produce nuts, fruit or decorative alternative. ardship alternative to convert degraded lands, floral products can result in additional inter- protect sensitive lands, and diversify farm mediate products and income. To determine Adapted from: Economic Analysis of production systems. the economic feasibility of this approach and Contour Tree Buffer Strips Using Present the conditions needed to make it a competi- Net Value. By D.W. Countryman and J.C. Adapted from: “Designing an Alley tive alternative, Dave Countryman and John Murrow in Journal of Soil and Cropping Agroforestry Practice” By Gene Murrow of Iowa State University con- Water Conservation, Second Garrett and Dusty Walter in Agroforestry ducted an eco- Quarter, 2000. Volume 55, Training Manual: Applied Land Use Number 2. Pp. 152-160. Practices UMCA-2-2000.

Specialty Forest Products Series of Color Brochures

Marketing Special Forest Products • Edible Woody Landscapes for People and Wildlife • Productive Conservation: Growing Specialty Forest Products in Agroforestry Plantings • Hybrid Hazelnuts: An Agroforestry Opportunity

These full-color, four-page publications provide invaluable information for the entrepreneur interested in researching and beginning to pro- duce special forest products. To preview any of these publications visit NAC’s website, www.unl.edu/nac/pubs.html. Or, to request a copy e- mail Nancy Hammond, [email protected].

Fall 2001 / Winter 2002 | Inside Agroforestry 11 PRSRT STD POSTAGE & FEES PAID Inside Agroforestry | Fall 2001 / Winter 2002 USDA — FS PERMIT NO G-40 National Agroforestry Center East Campus-UNL Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0822 Official Business

Penalty for Private Use, $300

www.unl.edu/nac Forest Service and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Conservation Resources Natural USDA the and Service Forest

are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the policy of the USDA the of policy the represent necessarily not do and author the of those are Agroforestry Inside in expressed Opinions

Spokane, WA phone: 509-358-7946 phone: WA Spokane,

tact the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. DC Washington, Agriculture, of Secretary the tact Gary Kuhn, NRCS Agroforester Agroforester NRCS Kuhn, Gary

Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any USDA-related activity should immediately con- immediately should activity USDA-related any in against discriminated been has she or he believes who person Any Fort Worth, TX phone: 817-509-3215 phone: TX Worth, Fort

USDA policy prohibits discrimination because of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, or handicapping condition. handicapping or religion, age, sex, origin, national color, race, of because discrimination prohibits policy USDA Jim Robinson, NRCS Agroforester Agroforester NRCS Robinson, Jim

St. Paul, MN phone: 651-649-5240 phone: MN Paul, St.

Mike Majeski, FS Agroforester FS Majeski, Mike

Ryan Dee, TT Assistant ext. 14 ext. Assistant TT Dee, Ryan resource professionals. resource

Kimberly Stuhr, TT Specialist/IA Editor ext. 13 ext. Editor Specialist/IA TT Stuhr, Kimberly research, develop technologies and tools, establish demonstrations, and provide useful information to natural to information useful provide and demonstrations, establish tools, and technologies develop research,

Bruce Wight, NRCS Lead Agroforester ext. 36 ext. Agroforester Lead NRCS Wight, Bruce

accomplish its mission, the Center interacts with a national network of partners and cooperators to conduct to cooperators and partners of network national a with interacts Center the mission, its accomplish

Rich Straight, FS Lead Agroforester ext. 24 ext. Agroforester Lead FS Straight, Rich

To systems. land-use sustainable socially and environmentally, economically, more attain to technologies technologies

FS Research Leader ext. 21 ext. Leader Research FS

Conservation Service. The Center’s purpose is to accelerate the development and application of agroforestry of application and development the accelerate to is purpose Center’s The Service. Conservation

Michele Schoeneberger, Schoeneberger, Michele

Development (Rocky Mountain Research Station) and State & Private Forestry and the Natural Resources Natural the and Forestry Private & State and Station) Research Mountain (Rocky Development Greg Ruark, Center Director ext. 27 ext. Director Center Ruark, Greg

The USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC) is a partnership of the Forest Service, Research & Research Service, Forest the of partnership a is (NAC) Center Agroforestry National USDA The

Phone: 402-437-5178; Fax: 402-437-5712. Fax: 402-437-5178; Phone:

n o i s s i M National Agroforestry Center. Center. Agroforestry National

is published quarterly by the USDA the by quarterly published is Agroforestry Inside

4568; [email protected] 4568; at Work ; Benton Convention Center; Center; Convention Benton ; Work at

tral.htm Contact: Sid Brantly, Phone: 334-887- Phone: Brantly, Sid Contact: National Convention. Theme: Forests Forests Theme: Convention. National

http://www.iaswcs.org/west_north_cen - AL, FL, SC and potentially GA. GA. potentially and SC FL, AL, Society of American Foresters American of Society

Betts, [email protected] Betts, ; natural resource professionals in in professionals resource natural October 5-9, 2002 5-9, October

Murray, [email protected] Murray, ; Lynn ; Silvopasture Training Workshops for for Workshops Training Silvopasture

Society; Moline, IL, Contacts: Chris Contacts: IL, Moline, Society; activities/settingpace 2002 June, - April

Soil and Water Conservation Water and Soil Lands, www.hoosierchapterswcs.org/

Agriculture: The Future of Working of Future The Agriculture: McClain, 765-747-5531; 765-747-5531; McClain, [email protected]

Changing Faces of Conservation and Conservation of Faces Changing Indianapolis, IN, Contact: Nikki Nikki Contact: IN, Indianapolis, 217-333-9561; Fax: 217-333-2880;

October 8-10, 2002 8-10, October "Setting the Pace for Conservation." Conservation." for Pace the "Setting Phone: Miller, C. Scott Contact:

2002 Annual Conference; Theme: Theme: Conference; Annual 2002 IL, Urbana-Champaign, Conference,

calendar/presentations Soil and Water Conservation Society Society Conservation Water and Soil Forest Hardwood Central 13th

iso-ae,N www.safnet.org/ NC Winston-Salem, July 13-17, 2002 13-17, July 2002 1-3, April

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