Green Horizons

Interested in learning more about agroforestry? Mark your calendars for early summer 2009 as the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry (UMCA) will host the North American Agroforestry Conference May 31-June 3.

The theme for this 11th biennial conference is "Agroforestry Comes of Age: Putting Science into Practice." At the event, special emphasis will be placed on practical examples of agroforestry practices and on technology transfer to producers.

"Landowners will hear from other landowners, in addition to agroforestry researchers, at this conference," said Mike Gold, associate director, UMCA. "Only a curiosity about agroforestry is required of attendees."

The conference will include oral and poster presentations addressing current and emerging knowledge on temperate agroforestry practices as well as presentations related to the socioeconomic, political and environmental aspects of agroforestry. Target participants include landowners, land managers and consultants, entrepreneurs, scientists, students, natural resource and forestry professionals, extension specialists, government officials, environmental consultants and policy makers.

Activities will include plenary and concurrent presentation sessions, a welcome reception and banquet, a poster session, field trips and time for discussion that focus on the successes, opportunities and constraints of agroforestry.

Sponsors, in addition to UMCA, include the Association for Temperate Agroforestry (AFTA), a private, nonprofit international organization that aims to catalyze technical innovation and adoption of agroforestry in the temperate zone through networking, information exchange, public education and policy dialogue and development.

The conference will be held at the Stoney Creek Inn, Columbia, Mo. Please see www.centerforagroforestry.org for more information. An online registration form will be available starting Nov. 1. For more information, contact Julie Rhoads, Technology Transfer Events Coordinator, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry, 573-882- 3234 or RhoadsJ@missouri.edu