Discovering Profits in Unlikely Places:
Agroforestry Opportunities for Added Income

Agroforestry is an approach to land use that incorporates trees and shrubs into agricultural systems, and allows for the production of trees and crops and/or livestock from the same piece of land. It offers ways to take advantage of new and profitable product markets while at the same time improving your land and the environment.

Agroforestry Can Help Increase Farm Profitability

Matching woody crops to your own unique conditions offers several ways to increase farm profitability:

• Increased total production from your land. The total output per unit area of tree/crop/livestock combinations can be greater than any single component alone. The addition of forest products and specialty crops to your existing agricultural enterprises means more sources of income from your existing resource base. Wood, wildlife, specialty forest products, Christmas trees and products, landscape plants, herbs, nuts, seeds, fresh and dried fruit, and honey are just some of the many alternatives.
• Greater financial diversity and flexibility. More sources of income means greater financial diversity and flexibility of the farming enterprise, thus reducing risk.
• Higher productivity of existing crops and livestock. Plantings of trees and shrubs provide cover and protection from wind and sun, and can help manage soil moisture by trapping snow. This can mean higher crop values, increased crop yields, and better livestock production and survival.
• Reduced costs. Providing wind protection can also have money-saving results, such as reduced ditch cleaning and snow removal costs, lower farmstead heating and cooling bills, and reduced irrigation and energy costs.

Agroforestry Can Protect and Enhance Your Resources

Agroforestry practices combine economic production and environmental protection to a greater extent than can agriculture or forestry alone. Agroforestry can help conserve natural resources and create more pleasant places to live and work, through:

• Improved air quality with less blowing soil, dust, and odors, and reduced noise
• Improved water quality - vegetation acts as a natural filter and reduces streambank erosion, sediment, and chemical/nutrient inputs
• Increased recreational and hunting opportunities with improved game and non-game wildlife habitat
• More diverse and visually-appealing landscapes.

The combined increases in income and cost savings from agroforestry can make a big difference in a poor crop year and can be financial bonus in a good one...all while enhancing your resources.