AGRIFORESTRY IS A LAND MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVE

PERRYVILLE -- Agriforestry can be a land management alternative, says Rick Kammler, assistant district forester for the Perryville District, Missouri Department of Conservation.

"Landowners can grow both trees and agricultural commodities on the same land," said Kammler, who reported on an agriforestry conference held at Springfield, Mo. recently. "Agriforestry could include truck crops growing between rows of trees, a practice common in Canada."

Participants at the Springfield conference included professionals and researchers in forestry and agriculture as well as landowners, noted Kammler.

"People were there from Canada, England and Central America," he said.

Kammler said interest in agriforestry is high since it offers a means to diversify traditional agriculture as well as an economic method to established trees on lands not normally considered for uses other than crops and pasture.

"Trees are nature's air filters," said Kammler. "They take in carbon dioxide, store carbon and give off oxygen. For every ton of wood a forest grows, it removes 1.47 tons of carbon dioxide and replaces it with 1.07 tons of oxygen. Because of this fact, trees can help alleviate the problem of Global warming due to greenhouse gasses."

This is one important reason to establish more trees, said Kammler, but Erosion control is another benefit of well-managed stands of trees.

"When many people think of agriforestry, they think of growing nut trees, such as black walnut and pecan," he said. "A Perry County couple started planting walnut and pecan trees for nut production a few years ago, and have planted crops, primarily wheat and soybeans, between the tree rows."

Kammler added that the Perry couple is now in the process of establishing grass and legumes for hay production.

"It will be another three or four years before a sizable pecan harvest will be realized," he said. "But, they are already harvesting walnuts."

Kammler says agriforestry may not be for everyone, "but it may have a great deal of potential for small farmers as well as larger farmers who want to diversify."

The income from nut production has good potential, and will increase land values. Other trees and timber will also add value to the land, he added.

"Planting trees and watching them grow can be enjoyable and rewarding, as well as helping clear the air for future generations," said Kammler.

Additional information on agriforestry, or planting trees, is availably by contacting the Perryville Forest Office, Missouri Department of Conservation.