Crop Performance, Pests, and Pollinators in Diverse Agroforestry Systems

Project Overview

ONC15-005
Project Type: Partnership
Funds awarded in 2015: $29,957.00
Projected End Date: 09/30/2017
Grant Recipient: Savanna Institute
Region: North Central
State: Illinois
Project Coordinator:
Dr. Keefe Keeley
Email
Savanna Institute

Annual Reports

Information Products

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Crop Production: agroforestry, pollination, pollinator health

    Proposal abstract:

    Diverse Agroforestry (DA) systems offer many benefits for farmers and society. Despite the increasing implementation of these systems at relatively large scales, there has been no rigorous on-farm evaluation of the impact of various management strategies on the growth and yield of these systems. The inherent complexity of DA systems makes effective research and outreach difficult, especially when working with a distributed network of farms. As of 2015, seventeen Midwest farmers participating in the Savanna Institute’s Case Study Program voluntarily document cash flow, labor, inputs, and management techniques in their DA enterprise. Four of these farms, representing a range of DA management strategies, are selected here to conduct more intensive research and outreach. Collaborating farmers will partner with Savanna Institute staff and a new entomologist intern to evaluate the growth and yield of DA systems across a range of management strategies, identify baseline pollinator communities, and monitor crop pests/pathogens. Outreach to current and potential DA farmers will take place via on-farm field days as well as through printed and online documentation of results.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    RESEARCH
    1) Evaluate the growth and yield of DA systems across a range of management strategies
    2) Identify baseline pollinator communities present in and interacting with DA systems compared to an adjacent natural area
    3) Identify & monitor pests and pathogens affecting the novel woody perennial crops included in DA systems

    OUTREACH
    1) Document the establishment & growth of DA systems via time-lapse photography
    2) Distribute results via printed materials, online media, and field days

     

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.