Green Horizons

USDA Reports on Agroforestry

Expanding agroforestry practices on farms, ranches and woodlands

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released a report regarding USDA's role in agroforestry advancement. This is the first time this report has been released. Titled Agroforestry: USDA Reports to America, it has information on agroforestry practices and how they help farms, ranches and woodlands increase their agricultural productivity, protect the environment and increase their profits.

Even though under one percent of the USDA budget is spent on "tree-based practices," it is able to help provide public services including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and healthier agricultural lands.

For the past five years, USDA has aided landowners with creating about 336,000 acres of windbreaks and riparian forest buffers; around 2,000 acres of silvopasture; and 500 acres of forest farming. All those acres actually ends up being less than one percent of land that could be used for these practices. The USDA believes that they can help expand agroforestry in the U.S.

In a press release from the USDA, Secretary Vilsack said that agroforestry can be used in more than rural areas.

"In suburban areas, agroforestry practices can improve wildlife habitat, mitigate the movement of odors and dust, serve as noise barriers and act as filters that help keep water clean," Vilsack said.

The report is the product of multiple agencies working together to serve on the Agroforestry Executive Steering Committee and work with the USDA National Agroforestry Center.

After the release of this report, the USDA hopes that it will be able to start a conversation about agroforestry with current producers, landowners and communities, as well as young people who are America's future farmers.

The report can be found at www.usda.gov/agroforestry. Any comments or questions can be sent to agroforestry@USDA.gov.