Agroforestry Focus: Market Development

Biochar for agroforestry in Poland

Agroforestry, like any tree-related cropping system, has a problem with surplus wood and tree waster from pruning, harvesting and dead stock.This poster (presented at the EURAF 2024 conference) explores a potential solution of converting it into biochar and using it to improve soils or as charcoal to generate additional income. It focuses on biochar production in different locations in Poland.

Walnut in silvoarable alley cropping system. Startup and first results of a long-term practice-oriented agroforestry research field in Flanders, Belgium

This poster (presented at the EURAF 2024 conference) presents the initial setup and early outcomes of a walnut-based silvoarable alley cropping system in Flanders, Belgium, demonstrating practical feasibility, ecosystem benefits, and tailored agroforestry practices to support adoption among Flemish farmers.

AFINET – A revitalization of a wood pasture in the Bakony

This video is a Hungarian innovation tutorial video on wood pasture restoration aiming to share farmer experiences on agroforestry system management. Produced as part of the AFINET project, it features Antal Varga at Zöldág Farm in Hungary, which is a ReForest living lab farm. Find out more about it here https://agroreforest.eu/living-lab-hungary-olaszfalu/

A Tree Species Guide for Agroforestry in the UK

This guide was produced by the University of Reading and Forest Research in partnership with Defra and the Expanding Agroforestry project stakeholder group. It aims to provide a simple and accessible overview of the key attributes (whether beneficial or detrimental) of tree species in UK agroforestry systems. Information on tree species characteristics has broader applicability within Europe. It is suitable for farmers interested in agroforestry, and other interested parties including farm advisers, foresters, and policymakers. It has been produced following a review of existing literature and databases, together with consultation with the stakeholder group. The guide comes with some important caveats, limitations and assumptions, which are discussed in the introduction.

Agroforestry Pollinator Plantations for the Future

The app will firstly give you access to Forest Research’s state-of-the-art Ecological Site Classification (ESC), APP model, giving you information on suitability of tree species, also allowing you to see how climate change will likely affect your holding. Future climate scenarios adopted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) show Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) of greenhouse gases concentration trajectory, all of which are considered possible depending on the volume of greenhouse gases emitted in the years to come. RCP is directly linked to global mean average temperature in Celsius.

These tools will enable you to make an informed choice of which wild species trees have the greatest chance to survive climate change predictions on your land site. Information on other outputs from trees in farming to help you assess how it fits with your other enterprises and business is also included, as well as ideas for planting schemes and configurations. Planting in mixed species stands provides the best outcome for both tree species and their pollinators as this provides forage over a greater part of each season, helping ensure pollinators don’t starve. APP4future schemes also provide habitat and forage for pollinators, whose populations are declining. Supporting pollinators is vital for nature and our farmed landscape, increasing pollination and yields of all insect-pollinated crops.

Farming for the future: how agroforestry can deliver for nature and climate

This policy paper assesses the benefits of agroforestry on a large scale on farmland in England. It considers how agroforestry systems are already being deployed and sets out recommendations on how to increase the number of trees in our agricultural environment and make changes in land use a reality. Research presented makes clear that widespread adoption of agroforestry can enhance and connect habitats and help store more carbon in our landscapes, while maintaining food production and in some cases improving farm productivity in both arable and pastoral farming systems. While focused on policy, the report has useful information on environmental and farm enterprise benefits (particularly sequestering greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity benefits), carbon markets, and other market-based approaches which could provide investment for agroforestry projects.

Alley cropping with strawberries: Two case-studies in Romania

Paper analysing two case studies that focus on the use of alley cropping in two sub-compartments in the south-east of Transylvania (Romania). Alley cropping (mostly with maize or melon as agricultural crops) is used on a very small scale. It is considered that the main factors restricting its application are (i) the lack of information on this agroforestry system, (ii) the lack of projects in the field and (iii) the lack of funding for agroforestry activities. This explains the field work that was undertaken and provides practical information particularly in relation to management along with benefits farmers can expect from applying this method.

SIGNAL – Sustainable intensification of agriculture through agroforestry

SIGNAL is part of the funding initiative BonaRes (Soil as a sustainable Resource for the Bioeconomy) which aims to improve soil functions through the development of sustainable management systems and increase understanding of soils, soil processes and soil functions. The project aims to evaluate whether and under which site conditions agroforestry in Germany can be a land use alternative that is ecologically, economically, and socially more sustainable than conventional agriculture. The effects of agroforestry systems on soil ecological properties are being investigated at 4 arable and 2 grassland sites in the north-east of Germany. Project information and various publications can be accessed via the website (mainly in German).

Stadt-Land-Plus OLGA Project – Optimisation of land use along water bodies and on agricultural land as well as support value creation in the agrifood system of the Dresden area

The OLGA project focuses on sustainable land use approaches and regional value creation in the Dresden region of Germany. As part of this it aims to promote the implementation of agroforestry systems along watercourses. The research focuses on investigating microclimatic effects of agroforestry structures on their immediate surroundings such as streams, as well as analysing woody plant physiology and vegetation development in and around the agroforestry system. The project lasts for 5 years (04/2020 – 03/2025) and will develop a transferable solution for implementing the EU Water Framework Directive, taking into account regional economic relations, interests of landowners, and flood prevention.

The research includes looking at the ecosystem services functions of agricultural trees and shrubs in watercourses, particularly in relation to water protection, climate protection and flood control. The economic perspectives and marketing potentials for farmers and landowners are also being explored, along with ways that agricultural woods can be used more widely as an energy resource and increase the use of renewable energies long term. Citizens in the region actively participate in the project through focus groups, real labs and other methods of citizen science and explore the added value that sustainable land use and regional food can have for their own environment and quality of life. You can subscribe to the newsletter and access various publications (mainly in German) from the website.

The Signpost Series Webinar – Agroforestry – multiple benefits for Irish agriculture

A webinar recording that is part of a series focusing on agroforestry and multiple benefits for Irish agriculture. This episode, facilitated by Pat Murphy (Head of Environment Knowledge Transfer Department, Teagasc), features Mark Gibson (Teagasc ConnectEd Manager), Dr Ian Short (Forestry Research Officer, Teagasc), Professor Jim McAdam (Queens University Belfast), and Mr Eugene Curran (Forestry Inspector, DAFM). It includes information on different kinds of agroforestry, multiple benefits, European research, carbon capture and carbon credits, generating income, regulatory impacts, and economic support, and features some interesting questions posed alongside discussion of practical management issues.

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