United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Agroforestry Center

 

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Document Type

Report

Date of this Version

6-2019

Citation

Miscellaneous Publication No. 1617 (June 2019)

United States Department of Agroforestry, National Agroforestry Center

Hosted by the USDA National Agroforestry Center, USDA Interagency Agroforestry Team, and USDA Economic Research Service, March 19, 20, and 21, 2018

Comments

United States government work

Abstract

Executive Summary

Accelerating the adoption of agroforestry will require a better understanding of the economic opportunities and financial benefits to society, says a recent assessment of United States agroforestry.1 Providing this understanding is critical for agroforestry to reach its full potential, whereby it enhances rural economies and provides ecological services that people need, such as clean drinking water. To assess emerging opportunities, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) convened more than 60 people in March 2018 to learn, network, and, above all, generate ideas for raising the economic profile and viability of agroforestry in the United States.

The effort was led by USDA’s National Agroforestry Center, which serves as a hub to advance the health, diversity, and productivity of working lands, waters, and communities through agroforestry. The National Agroforestry Center collaborated with other USDA agencies (the Agricultural Marketing Service, Agricultural Research Service, Economic Research Service, Farm Service Agency, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Rural Development) and additional partners to convene the workshop. This report provides a narrative summary of the workshop and includes next steps developed by participants. Key findings include:

1. Intermediaries are critical. Whether they are farmer cooperatives, local NRCS offices, or cooperative extension staff, organizations and individuals who collect information and aggregate resources to fill technical gaps are critical.

2. Information must be accessible. One of the biggest challenges to expanding agroforestry is the producers’ ability to access information. They need information on the value of crops and products, resources for grants and loans, and details on how to develop and access markets.

3. Education and outreach are needed. Many producers, individuals at USDA, and members of the banking and investment community remain unaware of the benefits of agroforestry, including its ability to increase resilience of businesses and the natural environment. To increase agroforestry adoption, an awareness about its benefits must be raised.

4. Government entities, universities, intermediaries, and producers must collaborate. Increasing collaboration among producers, program delivery staff, scientists, and others will help improve the delivery of programs that support agroforestry, from production to consumption.

5. Research is required to provide direction. Additional information is needed on financial and economic valuation, risk analysis, and market access and development to identify ripe opportunities for agroforestry in the United States.

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