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.
Czech Association for Agroforestry (CSAL)
A voluntary non-profit organisation that promotes agroforestry practices in the Czech Republic. It connects the interests of agroforestry farmers, scientific organisations and agricultural consultants and focuses primarily on education, raising awareness and exchanging information about agroforestry between farmers, advisors and other groups. The goal of the association is to raise awareness of the alternative use of agricultural land in the style of agroforestry systems, and to improve the condition of the soil and the environment without reducing production. It is a very important platform for the exchange of information (the website hosts many useful resources such as videos, reports and newsletters), and organises meetings, educational events and presentations on agroforestry issues in the Czech Republic.
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.
World Agroforestry (ICRAF)
The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) is an international research centre based in Kenya that has been working on agroforestry in subtropical and tropical countries since 1978. The only institution that does globally significant agroforestry research in and for all of the developing tropics. Knowledge produced by ICRAF enables governments, development agencies and farmers to utilise the power of trees to make farming and livelihoods more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable at scales.
ATTRA sustainable agriculture – Agroforestry
National Center for Appropriate Technology’s ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture program supports US farmers, ranchers, agriculture educators, and land managers. Trusted source of sustainable agriculture information and maintains a knowledge base of practical multimedia resources for farmers, ranchers, and educators. NCAT’s agriculture specialists work directly with farmers, ranchers, land managers, and others across the country to provide individualised technical assistance, offer practical learning opportunities, and facilitate meaningful connections among producers, experts, researchers, and industry professionals.
USDA National Agroforestry Center
Collection of agroforestry-related tools and information sources – vast library of training resources, publications, webinars, newsletters, technical guides, photos, and other media can be browsed and downloaded. You can also find more information about specific USDA programs and partner working groups and proceedings from agroforestry-related conferences.
Association for Temperate Agroforestry
The Association for Temperate Agroforestry (AFTA) is a non-profit organisation working to promote and disseminate temperate agroforestry in North America. Its main focus is on education and outreach – including via a newsletter and technical publications. From the website you can access some information for free focusing particularly on definitions and benefits of different agroforestry systems, membership will give access to more in depth information via articles and a members only area. Every two years, AFTA hosts the North American Agroforestry Conference.
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.
Plants For A Future database
Plants For A Future (PFAF) is an online information database and associated website for those interested in edible and useful plants. Originally focused on plants suitable for temperate regions, it now includes many of the more important tropical and sub-tropical plants. The PFAF website enables access to this database, a useful tool to help you find out information on, and assess suitability for, your planting system, drawing on information on over 8000 plants.
PFAF is maintained by a UK registered charitable company. The objectives of the PFAF charity are ‘to advance the education of the public by the promotion of all aspects of ecologically sustainable vegan-organic horticulture and agriculture with an emphasis on tree, shrub and other perennial species; and the undertaking of research into such horticulture and agriculture, and dissemination of the results of such research.’