Inside Agroforestry

New Center Director Announced...page 2

“Leaf” The Noise Out...page 3

Agroforestry to Help Dispose of Dairy Waste...page 4

Poplar Trees Help Meet Regulatory Requirements...page 5

Inside This Issue

Editor’s Note... IA

Focus is “Special

Applications”

Is Agroforestry a Solution to the

Southeast’s Poultry Waste Overload?

(See Poultry on page 3)

This alley cropping system of double rows of 12-year-old loblolly pine separated by 30 foot

alleys of fescue grass at the University of Georgia Dempsey Research Farm in Griffin,

Georgia serves as a test site for the disposal of poultry litter.

Poplar trees or “short rotation woody

crops” can be grown with pine trees as a

windbreak to protect crop fields. They can

later be harvested for biomass and

Christmas trees.

This issue of Inside Agroforestry focuses on “special applications” of agroforestry. Special application practices are

tree and shrub plantings that may be used

to help solve special farm concerns such

as disposal of animal wastes and filtering

irrigation tailwater. Some may also produce a short- or long-rotation woody crop.

Special multi-row “timberbelts” can be

managed both to protect crops or livestock

and to produce hardwood timber or a

short-rotation woody crop for fuel or

fiber. All agroforestry practices can be

enhanced to provide wildlife habitat too.

Consider incorporating a special agroforestry application to solve unique problems on farms and ranches.

Sixty percent of the poultry that reaches our tables, or is consumed following a

drive through one of our popular fast food

restaurants, is produced in five southeastern states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia,

Mississippi, and North Carolina. This

adds up to an annual production of over

19 billion pounds of broiler chicken —

and just under 50 billion pounds of litter.

Since many poultry production facilities

are concentrated on small farms having

limited acreage, disposal of this waste is a

common problem.

Poultry litter contains high levels of

nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium,

magnesium, and many trace elements.

This valuable source of nutrients has the

potential to support crop production, as

well as enhance the chemical and physical properties of soil. Currently, about 90

percent of the poultry litter produced is

applied to agricultural land as a low cost

alternative to mineral fertilizers, while the

remaining 10 percent is used primarily in

animal feed. However, the crop and pasture lands within this poultry producing

region are approaching full utilization.

The continuous application of poultry litter can result in excessive nutrient loads

which can have negative environmental

consequences. For example, a study conducted in Georgia found that four percent

of domestic wells, less than 100 feet

deep, in poultry producing regions were

contaminated with nitrate. Continuation

Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station

Natural Resources Conservation Service
Comments from the Center Leadership

2 Inside Agroforestry

We all have first impressions of the benefits of the different

agroforestry practices. For example, when we think of windbreaks, we may first think of wind erosion or crop protection.

But, have you thought about using windbreak technology to

reduce noise or odors? Silvopasture is normally designed for

producing both forage for livestock as well as wood products.

But, how about designing that same tree and grass area for

quail management? Special applications may also include

using agroforestry practices for multiple purposes. Windbreaks

could be designed for both wind protection and also include

species that could be harvested for some product. In Australia

and New Zealand, this type of application is called a “timberbelt.” A silvopasture, alley cropping, or windbreak system

could also be used for applying wastewater from livestock

facilities, irrigation return flows, or municipal waste treatment.

These are all “special applications” of different agroforestry

technologies.

This issue of Inside Agroforestry is devoted to examples of

“new twists” to familiar agroforestry applications. Livestock

waste utilization is a continuing and growing challenge. The

agroforestry projects from Idaho with dairy wastewater and the

use of poultry litter in Georgia are both testing new alternatives to make the best use of the wastewater and/or nutrients

from these livestock facilities while also providing either

resource protection and/or an economic product.

These special applications vary from being very conceptual

to proven. For example, using trees to help modify odors from

confined livestock facilities is still conceptual. This idea has

been raised numerous times privately and in state legislatures.

We at the National Agroforestry Center realized there was not

enough information available to say that specially designed

windbreaks or other tree plantings could help with this concern. Consequently, we are collaborating with Iowa State

University to examine the feasibility. In contrast, the use of

trees and shrubs as visual screens between livestock facilities

and suburban neighbors is a proven approach. One hog producer told me his windbreak helped, at least psychologically,

with his neighbors. The trees showed his good faith in trying

to be a responsible neighbor. He thought the theory “Out of

sight, out of mind” might work in his situation.

We hope this issue will stimulate your own thinking about

how agroforestry and its related technologies might have “special applications” in your own area. If you have examples of

other creative applications of agroforestry technologies, we

would like to hear from you. Remember, keep your blinders

off and your mind open when thinking about agroforestry.

A commentary on the status of agroforestry

as reported by NRCS Lead Agroforester, Bruce Wight

Expanding the Boundaries of Agroforestry 

Dr. Greg Ruark has been selected as

the Center’s new Director.

Ruark comes from the Forest Service’s

National headquarters in Washington,

D.C., where he served as a member of the

Policy, Planning, and Information

Research Staff. Since joining the Forest

Service in 1985, he has worked at the

Southeastern Research Station in North

Carolina, and with the Forest Environment

Research Staff in Washington, D.C. In

addition, he spent 16 months with the

Office of Science and Technology Policy

at the White House.

Ruark is co-author of the United

Nations Global Biodiversity Assessment -

Summary for Policy Makers, and has

been a U.S. negotiator for forest biodiversity issues. He is also co-author of the

USDA Sustainable Agriculture Working

Group Report of 1996, and is a member

of the USDA Interagency Agroforestry

Working Group. 

Ruark holds B.S. and M.S. Degrees

from the University of Massachusetts, and

a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin

in soil science and forest ecology. 

Ruark, his wife Ginny, and their two

children will be moving to Lincoln,

Nebraska in June.

Greg Ruark, NAC’s New Director

Dr. Greg Ruark, NAC Director.

We hope this issue will stimulate 

your own thinking about how agroforestry 

and its related technologies might have 

“special applications” in your own area.

...Remember, keep your blinders off and your mind 

open when thinking about agroforestry.

—Bruce Wight
Inside Agroforestry 3

“Leaf” The Noise Out

Sometimes it's called racket, clamor,

commotion, or clatter. Whatever you want

to call it, noise can be a problem because

it's an unpleasant, unexpected, or undesired sound. It can be loud, it can be low.

It can be harsh, it can be soft. No matter

what, if it's undesirable, it's noise. Noise

can cause anxiety, tension, or even illness

and many people are looking for ways to

alleviate the problem.

Picture this. Suppose you had been living in a relatively quiet area for years

when a new four-lane road was built near

your home. The noise rises to uncomfortable levels. It's worse at night when there

are less background noises that normally

temper the sounds. You are aggravated

and annoyed. You have two choices, you

can move or you can try to control the

noise to a tolerable limit. Let's discuss the

latter scenario and see if there might be

some way we can control the noise and

improve the aesthetics of the neighborhood at the same time.

Trees and shrubs to the rescue? Plant

"noise buffers." Yes, there is potential for

plants to help but the species selected

(type, foliage, shape, density, etc.) and

the planting design used must be chosen

carefully/correctly. Trees and shrubs can

reduce noise five to ten decibels (reduces

noise approximately 50% to the human

ear). "Rules of thumb"or generalized recommendations to reduce noise with

tree/shrub plantings include:

1) For best results plant close to the 

noise source rather than close to area to

be protected.

2) When possible use taller plants with

dense foliage

3) Plant trees/shrubs as close together 

as the species will allow and not be 

overly inhibited.

• plant foliage should persist at 

ground level and up.

4) Evergreen varieties will give better 

year- round protection.

5) To reduce heavy vehicle noise in 

suburban or rural areas plant:(see 

graphic).

• 65-100 foot-wide belts of trees (W).

• edge within 60-80 feet of road

center (D).

• center trees should mature at a 

minimum of 45 feet tall.

6) To reduce noise of moderate traffic 

in communities plant:

• 20 - 50 foot-wide belts of trees (W).

• edge within 20-50 feet of road 

center (D).

• use 6-8 foot shrubs next to road and

back up tree rows to a minimum of 

15-20 feet tall.

7) The length of the buffer (L) should 

be twice as long as the distance from 

source to the recipient (SR). 

• The buffer should also extend equal

distance both directions parallel to 

road. 

Trees and shrubs can buffer noise effectively. Make certain the soils will support plants

effectively and that the plants chosen are

compatible with the site and their intended

use.

(Poultry from page 1)

and expansion of the industry will depend

on the development of alternative uses for

poultry litter.

Fortunately, the poultry-producing

region of the Southeast is also one of our

most important wood producing regions.

A tree and pasture system which combines fescue grass and pine trees may be a

useful alternative to the application of

poultry litter to crop or pasture land.

Computer simulations suggest that less

nitrogen would be leached from such a

system than from either crop land or pasture and that income from sale of pine

stumpage may be gained with little loss in

pasture production. Unfortunately, little

experimental information is available with

which to test these simulation results.

In 1997, a unique study was launched

by researchers at the University of

Georgia with support from the National

Agroforestry Center and the U.S. Poultry

and Egg Association. Professors Larry

Morris of the Daniel B. Warnell School of

Forestry, Miguel Caberra of the Crop and

Soil Science Department, and Parshall

Bush of Cooperative Extension, along

with graduate student Vineta Terauds, are

collaborating on a project to investigate

use of poultry litter in pine plantations

and in agroforests. Three systems are

being evaluated and compared: fescue

pasture, pine plantation, and pasture with

trees. This latter system consists of double rows of planted loblolly pine separated by 30 foot alleys of fescue. Uptake of

nitrogen by the pines and grass, losses

through ammonia volatilization and denitrification, soil accumulation, and leaching are being assessed following different

rates of litter application. Results from

this study will be used to calibrate models

of nitrogen dynamics and to evaluate

management costs and potential revenue

from the three management systems.

For more information, contact Larry

Morris at lmorris@arches.uga.edu.

References: “Land Application of Livestock and

Poultry Manure by C. Hammond, B. Segars, and C.

Gould., “Poultry Manure Management:

Environmentally Sound Options,” by P.A. Moore

Jr., T.C. Daniel, A.N. Sharpley, and C.W. Wood.,

and “Nitrate Contamination of Domestic Wells in

Georgia” by A.W. Tyson, P. Bush, R. Perkins, and

W. Gegars.

Applying poultry litter to agroforestry plantings has a promising future. Here a student

assistant collects intact soil cores with a

Gidding’s probe from a pasture receiving

experimental applications of poultry litter.
Spotlight On Success Idaho

4 Inside Agroforestry

Poplar Plantation to Help Dispose of Dairy Production

Wastewater

Additionally, Yankey said that this project is function-first.

“One thing that dairies have to do now is properly dispose of

their wastewater, even though a lot of the economics are not now

known.”

Because of innovative thinking and thoughtful planning, it is

likely that the Weirsma Dairy project will be a successful special

application of agroforestry. The dairy has not only found a way

to dispose of the wastewater, but could earn additional income

from the project.

Though still in the planning stages, efforts are being made to

improve Patty and Jim Weirsma’s dairy production facility in

Buhl, Idaho through an innovative, special application of agroforestry. The windbreaks planted in March have begun to bud

and will eventually provide noise and odor control, and protection from winds. But the block of poplar trees to be planted just

south of the dairy operation in the next few months is where the

special application lies.

According to Rich Yankey, NRCS District Conservationist in

Twin Falls, Idaho, this 15 to 20 acre plantation-style planting

will contain several varieties of poplar clones in an effort to find

the best ones for the southern Idaho climate. The primary reason

for the planting will be a testing ground for applying dairy wastewater. This system will mix dairy wastewater with irrigation

water, being careful to find the right mix and not overload the

poplars with nutrients. 

“Poplar trees were selected because they have the ability to

use large volumes of water and nutrients,” Yankey said. “By having the poplars use the nutrients, there is less chance for polluting

groundwater.” 

Due to the lay of the land and the location of the waste storage pond, coordinators have found the irrigation system to be a

challenge. “The lagoon, unfortunately, is downhill from the

woodlot,” Yankey said. “Hence, the wastewater will be pumped

through a pipe across the road. It will go around most of the corrals and buildings. After it crosses the road, it will be piped to the

upper end of the woodlot. It will exit the pipe into a structure

which will also have access to irrigation water. In that structure,

we can mix the wastewater and irrigation water together.” (See

graphic.)

This demonstration may be one of the first of its kind. According

to Yankey, using poplar trees for recycling nutrients has been

used in other industries but has not yet been used by dairies.

The project, when on the ground and fully functional, will

provide benefits of visual screening and odor control and will

offer an environmentally acceptable use for the dairy wastewater.

In addition, the fast growing poplars will be harvested to produce

products such as pulp, firewood, or small pieces of lumber for

molding. The product chosen for production will determine the

length of time before the first harvest.

“This is the key point of this project, to determine what is the

best product to produce, what are the estimated returns, and how

much can be spent on the investments,” Yankey said. “Those are

the things we are hoping to learn from the project.” 

“This is very much in the experimental stages,” Yankey said.

“We will be trying to get into a cycle where we will have some

newly-planted young trees, some mid-sized trees still growing,

and some mature trees ready for harvest.”

Yankey says that the poplars have a very rapid growth rate.

They usually grow 3 to 4 feet in height the first year and an additional 4 to 6 feet each year thereafter.

Weirsma dairy production facility. Note the waste storage pond and

location of poplar planting.

Don’t Forget 

About Our Displays...

The Center has three portable displays 

for you to use on a loan basis. 

The only cost to you is shipment to the next user. 

They are wonderful informational aids 

to use at meetings, fairs, workshops, field days, 

or just in your office. Two Working Trees 

for Agriculture Displays and One Working Trees 

for Communities Display are available. 

They all have an accompanying brochure.

Contact Clover Shelton for more information 

or to reserve a display at 402-437-5178 ext. 14.
Inside Agroforestry 5

State of Oregon regulations that

restrict summer discharge of city treatment plant wastewater into streams have

been recently revised. The new regulations have placed challenges before several municipalities and private companies. They must look to other, cost effective means of effluent management and

disposal. 

The City of Woodburn, Oregon is

dealing with this challenge by developing

a “special agroforestry application” project. City planners have designed a long

term strategy that considers effluent/

biosolids an asset, not a liability. By recognizing the value of biosolids, planners

looked to ways to use them for profit and

dispose of them at the same time. In

1995, city planners developed a sevenacre “poplar tree reuse system” demonstration and test site. Over the past three

years the demonstration has been in operation, evaluating the viability of the system and analyzing design criteria. 

Using information gathered from the

demonstration project and recommendations from the state regulatory agency, a

preliminary, full scale poplar tree reuse

system design will soon be implemented.

Poplar Trees May Be One City’s Solution to Meeting

Regulatory Requirements

Plans call for the first stage of development to take place in 1999. It will consist

of adding an additional 80 acres of

poplars to the present demonstration site.

Additional developments will occur in

five increments, each adding 60 to 70

acres to the site. Over the next 20 years

the project is expected to cover 325 acres.

Each year during July and August, the

Woodburn Wastewater Treatment Plant

(WWTP) will discharge a sizeable portion

of its effluent to the poplar plantation

instead of to the Pudding River. By utilizing the poplar tree reuse system, the

WWTP will be disposing of its effluent in

a safe, effective, economically-sound

manner while still meeting the State’s

wastewater load restrictions for the river.

In addition to the effluent, biosolids

and yard debris will be applied to the

plantation providing additional nutrient

requirements of the poplar tree system.

Finally, as a part of the overall plantation management strategy, the poplar trees

will be harvested and replanted on a seven

to 12 year cycle. The trees will be chipped

and sold on the wood chip market to be

used as fuel, pulp, or strand board. The

revenue will help defray plantation capital

investment and operating costs.

Residents of Woodburn have used a

very progressive and innovative approach

to solving their wastewater problem.

They have successfully brought the sciences of civil engineering, agricultural

engineering, and agroforestry together.

Through this effort the city is developing

a natural treatment system that produces a

renewable resource (timber), cleans

water, recycles nutrients, reduces costs to

taxpayers, and adds aesthetic value to the

area.

Wastewater is applied through a sprinkler system to the city of Woodburn, Oregon’s poplar

wastewater reuse demonstration site, which is in the beginning of its third year of operation. 

by Jeff Nuss, Agricultural/Water Resource Engineer, CH2MHill, Portland, Oregon

New VIDEO

Now Available 

on a Loan Basis

Agroforestry: 

Agriculture and Forestry 

Working Together

Presentations given by specialists 

cover each of the five types 

of agroforestry practices.

Each module is 8 to 12 minutes long.

Working Trees for 

LIVESTOCK Brochure

New! Estimated arrival Fall, 1998.

This brochure discusses how trees 

and livestock compliment each other 

economically, environmentally, 

and aesthetically. 

Working Trees for 

WILDLIFE Brochure

We are in the early planning 

stages of producing this brochure. 

It will discuss how 

agroforestry plantings 

can be enhanced for wildlife.

Contact Nancy Hammond for more

information at 402-437-5178 ext. 11.
6 Inside Agroforestry

Agroforestry is growing trees and

shrubs in combination with crops, forage,

or livestock. Often times agroforestry

plantings on the farm or ranch that are

intended to serve a specific function, like

a field windbreak or an alley cropping

system can also provide or improve

wildlife habitat. 

While incorporating wildlife habitat is

encouraged during the planning phase of

establishing any agroforestry practice, it

takes a concerted effort on the part of the

land manager to insure that specific fishery and wildlife needs are recognized.

The assumption that because trees and

shrubs are planted, wildlife habitat is

automatically created, often is not true. 

A planting that consists of one or a few

species of trees or shrubs will likely be

used by wildlife generalists like crows,

starlings, robins, or jays, but the needs of

a variety of wildlife species lacking critical habitat will not be met.

Basic knowledge of wildlife habitat

requirements assumes that three basic

needs have to be met: reliable water, food,

and cover. Careful planning, coupled with

a wildlife needs assessment provided by

state fish and wildlife or NRCS biologists,

will provide specific habitat needs for a

variety of wildlife at little or no extra 

cost to your proposed agroforestry project.

Water

Water for wildlife can be provided

from a variety of natural and artificial

sources. Wildlife is known to travel long

distances for a reliable source of water.

The closer the source is to the habitat or

cover the more likely the habitat you create will support more diverse and higher

populations of targeted species.

Food

Food resources can be a direct result of

tree and shrub products like berries,

seeds, and nuts, or they can be indirect

sources like insects or other invertebrates,

moss, or lichens. The kinds and variety of

trees and shrubs will dictate which food

resources are available. In riparian corridor plantings, planning for closer proximity of the trees and shrubs to the watercourse will enhance the chances for

greater variety and volume of insects for

the stream fishery.

Cover

The variety of trees and shrubs planted

will directly affect cover types. Wildlife

cover is often thought of in generic terms.

In fact, there are very specific cover types

to suit daily and seasonal needs of specific wildlife. Various cover types can be

planned for, planted, and managed to

maximize wildlife use. Depending on the

agroforestry practice, use of trees as an

overstory, shrubs as an understory, and a

mixture of grasses and forbes as ground

cover can provide several cover types in

one location. Examples of cover types and

more specific uses include:

Nest cover: A number of birds, small

mammals, and insects, use trees and

shrubs for nesting. Not only are the

branches and leaves utilized but as the

tree stand ages, or suffers damage from

disease, fire, lightning or wind, cavities

will be created that will also be utilized.

Brood cover: Once critters are born,

cover to raise and nurture young to maturity takes on various forms. Some raptors

need trees with a more open canopy,

while a variety of songbirds need closed

canopy or heavy brush for brood cover.

Roosting Cover: For every type of

agroforestry structure, overstory and

understory, there will be birds that will

use them for roosting.

Escape Cover: Because agroforestry

practices tend to be linear, the adjacent

landuse as well as the size and extent of

the practice will dictate escape cover

value. All wildlife have need for escape

cover. In riparian buffer plantings, trees,

limbs, and branches that fall and remain

in the stream provide valuable escape as

well as loafing cover for a variety of fish.

Loafing Cover: Wildlife need areas

where they are able to spend time in relative safety from predators and human disturbance. These areas are yet another of

the habitat types essential for attracting

and maintaining wildlife diversity.

Thermal Cover: In areas where there

are great daily and seasonal variations,

thermal cover is much more important

than in mild climates. Protection from

temperature variation, wind, and storms

are essential in harsh environments.

While each particular species of fish or

wildlife has a variety of needs, it is doubtful that any individual agroforestry practice will fill all of the habitat requirements. Nonetheless, properly conceived

and applied, the practice or practices that

are applied can meet or exceed a land

manager’s production objectives, while at

the same time meeting multiple fishery

and wildlife needs with little or no added

expense. To meet wildlife needs we must

design for them.

Make Wildlife More Than A Consideration in Agroforestry

Well designed plantings of trees, shrubs, grasses, and feedgrains provide havens

for wildlife, especially in areas dominated by agriculture. Vegetation provides necessary food, shelter, and breeding and nesting sites.

by Wendell Gilgert, Wildlife Biologist, USDA NRCS Wildlife Habitat Management Institute, Fort Collins,Colorado
Inside Agroforestry 7

North American Conference on Enterprise

Development Through Agroforestry:

Farming the Agroforest for

Specialty Products

October 4-7, 1998

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Increasing numbers of landowners and farmers across

North America are interested in the emerging agroforestry

practice of “forest farming” — the intentional production of

valuable specialty forest products in agroforestry systems.

And, for good reason. Producing specialty forest products in

agroforestry systems can increase and diversify income,

increase wildlife, diversify farms and landscapes, and create

new opportunities for rural development, all the while protecting soil and water resources. Agroforestry practices

include windbreaks, riparian forest buffers, alley cropping,

silvopastoral plantings, and forest farming.

This international conference/trade show will provide participants with an opportunity to learn and share experiences

about “cultivating” (“forest farming”), processing, marketing

and retailing specialty forest products grown in temperate

agroforestry systems. Sessions will focus on three major areas

of specialty forest products intentionally produced through

forest farming:

1) Botanicals and Medicinals (ginseng, goldenseal, witch 

hazel, balsam gum, black cherry bark, Mandrake root, 

bloodroot, and many others.)

2) Decorative and Handicraft Products (decorative greenery, 

cones, dried florals, ornamental plants and plant parts, 

decorative wood products, and many others.)

3) Forest-based Food Products (nuts, berries, herbs, oils, 

extracts, honey, syrups, gums, mushrooms, fruits, flavor 

and smoke-woods, game animals, and many others.)

Sessions will emphasize production systems, markets and

marketing, and financial and environmental costs and benefits.

Many practical “how-to” workshops on production and marketing also will be offered.

For more information or to be added to the mailing list,

contact: Scott Josiah, CINRAM, Phone 612-624-7418;

e-mail CINRAM@forestry.umn.edu

Major sponsors:

National Agroforestry Center • USFS State & Private Forestry

• Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Agricultural

Management (CINRAM) • Minnesota Department of Natural

Resources • Minnesota Agroforestry Coalition • Minnesota

Institute for Sustainable Agriculture • Association for

Temperate Agroforestry • US EPA

Windbreaks Could Help

Manage Pesticide Drift

Windbreaks have long been recognized for their ability to help

control soil erosion and protect crops. And, pesticides or crop protection agents for agriculture have also been a documented success

story. However, the increased controversy about pesticides in the

environment, plus the increasing urban nature of our farmlands,

has resulted in questions about the impact of off-target movement

of pesticides occurring as drift from atomized sprays. The attention given to the 1996 Farm Bill regarding agricultural air quality

and problems of urbanization suggest that we have both the

urgent need, and unique opportunities, to resolve these issues. 

The Laboratory for Pest Control Application Technology

(LPCAT), headed by Dr. Frank Hall at Ohio State University is a

unique multidisciplinary laboratory focusing on pesticide

use/impact assessment analyses, pesticide drift assessments using

biomarkers, user risk reduction scenarios, and some new computer models assessing pesticide capture efficiency of airborne

droplets by various structures/objects. According to Hall, the

International Windbreaks symposia have identified tree, and other

vegetative species, as valuable assets for spray drift intrusions.

However, little organized data has been collected on spray capture

efficiency by windbreak species, morphological parameters, plant

geometries, porosity characteristics, or atmospheric and delivery

system interactions from sprayed fields or orchards. 

Hall’s research involves interesting tracking studies on biological materials including needles (which have high capture efficiencies) and non-target organisms such as insect larvae, beetles,

and bees, both flying and at rest. Needles, because of their physical characteristics, are very effective collectors of small particles,

as are the wings of an insect in motion. On-going cooperation by

Hall’s laboratory with research colleagues in Australia, New

Zealand, England, and Germany are aimed at identifying current,

practical windbreak research studies that develop practical guidelines for tree heights, species, and windbreak porosities to be used

as buffers in areas adjoining water and agricultural systems like

field and orchard crops.

Currently, Hall is cooperating with USDA-NRCS on a global

literature review for both historical and active research data on

windbreaks and pesticide capture efficiency. Additional attention

is being given to airflow disruption (hence pesticide drift mitigation) by downwind vegetation, and the potential to modify spray

application delivery systems in high risk areas like adjoining

water or houses. These studies are predicted to allow development

of practical recommendations for windbreak plantings appropriate

for adjoining agroforestry and agricultural operations. With

increased concern about pesticides in the environment, this

research thrust to utilize windbreaks/buffer zones as a cost effective risk reduction strategy is clearly one which needs to be more

fully researched. Hall says, “A well-overdue series of studies

which could be adapted in a wide variety of agricultural and

forestry conditions by proactive farmers and foresters alike -- specific knowledge is our limiting parameter here.”

For more information or interest in participating in the program, contact Dr. Hall at Hall.1@osu.edu.
Upcoming Events We Need Your Help...

June 22-23, 1998

Windbreak Renovation Workshop,

North Platte, NE. Contact, Jon Wilson, 

308-532-3611.

June 23-26, 1998

Plains & Prairie Forestry 

Association Annual Meeting, North 

Platte, NE. Contact, Dennis Adams, 

402-472-5822.

Inside Agroforestry is published quarterly by the

National Agroforestry Center. Phone: 402-437-

5178; Fax: 402-437-5712.

Greg Ruark, Center Director, ext. 27

Michele Schoeneberger, Research Program 

Leader and Soil Scientist, ext. 21

Jerry Bratton, FS Lead Agroforester, ext. 24

Bruce Wight, NRCS Lead Agroforester, ext. 36

Kim Isaacson, IA Editor, Technology Transfer 

Specialist, ext. 13

Clover Shelton, Technology Transfer Assistant, 

ext. 14

Jim Robinson, NRCS Agroforester located at Fort 

Worth, TX; phone: 817-334-5232, ext. 3624

Gary Kuhn, NRCS Agroforester located at Seattle,

WA; phone: 206-616-7166

Web Site: http://www.unl.edu/nac

Mission

The National Agroforestry Center (NAC) is a partnership of the USDA Forest Service and

the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.The Center’s purpose is to accelerate the

development and application of agroforestry technologies to attain more economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable land-use systems. To accomplish its mission, the Center interacts with a national network of partners and cooperators to conduct research, develop technologies and tools, establish demonstrations, and provide useful information to natural resource professionals.

USDA policy prohibits discrimination because of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, or handicapping condition.

Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any USDA-related activity should immediately contact the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250.

October 4-7, 1998

North American Conference on 

Enterprise Development Through 

Agroforestry: Farming the Forest & 

Agroforest for Specialty Products, 

Minneapolis, MN. Contact, Scott 

Josiah, 612-624-7418.

October 19-21, 1998

Southern Agroforestry Conference, 

Huntsville, AL. Contact, Dr. Phil 

Cannon, 256-851-5462.

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Opinions expressed in Inside Agroforestry are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the policy of the USDA Forest Service and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.