Agroforestry unites agriculture and forestry land uses by combining agronomic cropping and animal management with perennial tree crops into a unified and diversified production system. Founded on ancient food production practices, ecological principles, and agroecological research, the integrative approach of agroforestry intentionally manages for improved biodiversity, water quality, carbon sequestration, and soil health through economically successful and socially conscious land use practices, including: riparian forest buffers, shelterbelts, wind breaks, alley cropping, silvopasture and forest farming. In this course, lectures and course materials serve to define these practices and associated ecological principles, and to elucidate management strategies for developing functional agroecosystems. Practice-specific case studies and field trips provide working examples of agroforestry and interaction with practitioners and agroforestry. Throughout the course, students develop agroforestry management plans and individual projects.
This course will take place at The Farm Between for Spring 2022