Alley Cropping: An Agroforestry Practice

Authors

Sandra Hodge, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry, Columbia, MO
H. E. Garrett, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry, Columbia, MO
Jerry Bratton, National Agroforestry Center, East Campus-UNL, Lincoln, NE

Date of this Version

January 1999

Document Type

Newsletter Issue

Citation

National Agroforestry Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Station, United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Lincoln, Nebraska

Comments

United States government work

Abstract

Alley cropping is an agroforestry practice intended to place trees within agricultural cropland systems. The purpose is to enhance or add income diversity (both long and short range), reduce wind and water erosion, improve crop production, improve utilization of nutrients, improve wildlife habitat or aesthetics, and/or convert cropland to forest. The practice is especially attractive to landowners wishing to add economic stability to their farming system while protecting soil from erosion, water from contamination, and improving wildlife habitat.