ARS | Publication request: EVALUATING FORESTRY PRODUCTS QUALITY: AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS TO PRODUCE ALTERNATIVE COMPLIMENTARY CROPS

Submitted to: Agricultural Marketing Outreach Workshop Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: August 1, 1999
Publication Date: October 1, 1999
Citation: BRAUER, D.K., BLANCHE, C.A., FELDHAKE, C.M., SCHUMANN, C.M. 1999. EVALUATING FORESTRY PRODUCTS QUALITY: AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS TO PRODUCE ALTERNATIVE COMPLIMENTARY CROPS. AGRICULTURAL MARKETING OUTREACH WORKSHOP PROCEEDINGS. p. 49-53.

Technical Abstract: The quality/value of a farm wood lot can be increased by the use of agroforestry production systems to produce alternative complimentary crops. Forestry products can be readily produced in conjunction with complimentary crops in agroforestry production systems. These agroforestry systems have an advantage over traditional forestry production systems in that they can yield income generating products soon after tree plantings instead of waiting for tree maturation in 10 to 80 years. However, these systems require landowners to use more intense land management and a greater magnitude of planning. A wide of array of agroforestry systems are possible. In most cases, an agroforestry system can be developed using existing on farm resources with labor being the major input necessary by the land owner. Therefore, land owners, even those with limited resources, should consider increased utilization of farm lots through agroforestry as a means of increasing farm income.