Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

Grants And Education To Advance Innovations In Sustainable Agriculture

Project Overview

FNC97-175
Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 1997: $2,925.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/1997
Region: North Central
State: Iowa
Project Coordinator:
Sylvia DeWitt

Converting Woodlands into a Profitable Shade Plant Nursery

Commodities

  • Additional Plants: ornamentals

Practices

  • Crop Production: agroforestry
  • Education and Training: demonstration
  • Natural Resources/Environment: biodiversity, habitat enhancement
  • Production Systems: permaculture

Summary:

With innovative, but proper, management practices, woodlands and other marginal acres can provide aesthetic and monetary returns.

Objectives: To produce and market poplar horticultural plants to generate significant annual revenue from unproductive woodlands. The coordinator plans to clear one acre of woodlands, install fencing to deter deer and rabbit grazing, and plant 35 different varieties of hostas in separate plots.

Results: Clearing and planting has begun, and the project has been extended for one year for further development and evaluation.

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.