Increasing Agroforestry Adoption and Networking in the Midwest through Targeted Professional Development

View the project final report

• 2013 annual report

Commodities

• Nuts: chestnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts
• Additional Plants: native plants
• Animals: bovine, goats
• Miscellaneous: mushrooms

Practices

• Animal Production: grazing - rotational
• Crop Production: windbreaks
• Education and Training: extension, workshop
• Energy: bioenergy and biofuels
• Farm Business Management: whole farm planning, new enterprise development, agricultural finance, market study
• Natural Resources/Environment: habitat enhancement, hedgerows, riparian buffers, riverbank protection, hedges - woody

In conjunction with the Mid-American Agroforestry Working Group (http://midamericanagroforestry.net), UMCA organized its’ first Agroforestry Academy in Columbia, MO from August 5-9, 2013 and the second Agroforestry Academy was held in Winona, MN from July 21-25, 2014.

Prior to the start of the August 2013 Agroforestry Academy, the Center’s 2006 Agroforestry Training Manual was revised and updated. In addition, with direct funding support from a MO SARE mini-grant, the Center created a brand new Handbook for Agroforestry Planning and Design. Both of these documents are currently available for download in pdf format on the Center’s website.

Pre- and post-academy surveys were administered in both 2013 and 2014. In 2013, 27 trainee/educators attended and in 2014, 29 trainee/educators were in attendance.

The educators trained through the offering of the Agroforestry Academy in 2013 and 2014, are helping to establish the infrastructure needed to enhance landowner adoption of agroforestry, resulting in increased sustainability of rural communities and the food and agricultural system.  As a result of the Agroforestry Academy, fifty seven educators from seven states and Washinton, D.C. were trained in agroforestry principles and practices.  100% of Academy participants gained an improved understanding of the design and implementation of agroforestry practices including documented changes in awareness and knowledge.   As of early 2015, a number of Agroforestry Academy participants, both trainers and trainees, have began to offer subsequent training and education programs in agroforestry for farmers and landowners throughout the Midwest region.

All presentations in 2013 were recorded, and all PowerPoint presentations from 2013 and 2014 academies will be made available on the Center for Agroforestry website (http://www.centerforagroforestry.org/academy) to reach a wider audience and to be available for later use.

The main objectives for 2013 were to create/update background materials used in the 1^st Academy (Training Manual and Handbook), host a summer 2013 Academy. The main objective for 2014 was to organize and host a 2^nd agroforestry academy up in Minnesota.  All objectives were achieved.

The overall long-term goal of this NCR-SARE PDP grant is to help support efforts to increase on-the-ground adoption of agroforestry.

The objectives of the NCR-SARE PDP were:

1) To create a regional agroforestry knowledge network;

2) Train a core group of individuals who deal with land management issues and/or interact with farmers and landowners; and

3) Facilitate collaboration among researchers, extension personnel, and practitioners, diverse disciplines, departments and colleges, and different agencies and organizations.