Southeast Iowa Agroforestry Demonstration

Southeast Iowa Agroforestry Demonstration

Summary

Intense management of the warm season grasses and forbs continues at the landfill site. It will be emphasized in the final report of this project and throughout educational activities that adequate management is essential. The addition of the double-cropping system for forage purposes will provide an interesting opportunity to demonstrate a compatible native plant-based cropping system to enhance agro-forestry management.

Objectives/Performance Targets

• Show landowners the environmental benefits of agroforestry to encourage them to convert marginal cropland to more environmentally beneficial land uses.

  Demonstrate to private entrepreneurs the economic potential of growing, harvesting, and selling local ecotype forbs and medicinals.

  Help local leaders preserve through propagation irreplaceable local ecotype forbs and medicinals.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Dry Upland Savannah

The dry upland savannah site is being intensively managed through mowing to provide a conducive environment for the native forbs and grasses. The plots will be managed utilizing controlled burn in the spring of 2004. Signs indicating species have been installed at the site. There is concern over the presence of switch grass in the planting. Eradication of this species is difficult and management options are being discussed.

In an attempt to encourage the use of native prairie vegetation for livestock forage, a 3-acre double-cropping demonstration area was planted in the 2003. The planting consists of a cool-season legume (alfalfa) and a warm-season forage grass (big bluestem). The area will be monitored with the intent to harvest a cutting of alfalfa and a cutting of big bluestem in 2004. This seeding was completed between the rows of trees in an attempt to demonstrate additional benefits of agroforestry.

Wet Lowland Savannah

The wetland site located on the Des Moines County Conservation Board Property is being monitored. Because of the restricted flow of water in the area due to river maintenance activities, the viability of the planting is in question. It is anticipated that if this planting fails that an additional planting will not occur.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

At this time it is difficult to determine the impact and contributions of this project. In order to measure the success of this project it will more than likely take several years beyond this project. Upon plot evaluation and planned program outreach/education, some projections may be made as to the potential impacts that may be available economically and environmentally.

Collaborators: