Agroforestry integrates forestry technologies into agricultural practices. Through the incorporation of woody shrubs and trees into crop and animal production, agroforestry aims to improve production, protect soil and water resources, diversify income and contribute to sustainable land management. Some common agroforestry practices include alley cropping, windbreaks, riparian buffers and silvopasture but may also be broadened to include any practice, save forestry, that utilizes trees and woody shrubs in a managed production system.
The material presented on this page provides an introduction to different agroforestry practices and the ways in which agroforestry can be used in agriculture, communities and mix-used areas. A list of demonstration sites in Minnesota and financial/ technical assistance programs is also provided.
The Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Agricultural Management (CINRAM) works closely with University of Minnesota Forest Resource Extension office on agroforestry issues. Visit CINRAM's website for more information on their research and agroforestry work.
Please contact the Forest Resource Extension office with any agroforestry related questions. Phone: (612) 624-3020. Email: treeinfo@umn.edu. In addition, Diomy Zamora, Regional Extension Educator based in Brainerd, has expertise in agroforestry, hybrid poplar and renewable energy and is available for consultation. Email: zamor015@umn.edu. Phone: 218-828-2332
General:
A guide to agroforestry resources and demonstration sites: Agroforestry in Minnesota-University of Minnesota
An introduction to agroforestry practices in Minnesota:Discovering Profits in Unlikely Places: Agroforestry Opportunities for Added Income-University of Minnesota
A guide to agroforestry practices in agriculture:Working trees for agriculture-USDA, communities: Working trees for communities-USDA
Updates:
10th North American Agroforestry Conference, Quebec City, June 10th-13th, 2007
Technical and financial assistance for agroforestry:
Financial Aid to Private Landowners- University of Minnesota
Building Better Rural Places A directory of federal assistance programs for forestry, agriculture, community development and other innovative enterprises.
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation programs Provides information about federal assistance programs.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resource assistance programs
Minnesota Department of Agriculture conservation programs
Tax considerations for the establishment of agroforestry practices- University of Missouri
Funding incentives for agroforestry in Missouri- University of Missouri Includes federal assistance programs.
Economic budgeting for agroforestry practices-University of Missouri
