On December 6, 1999 Secretary

Glickman announced the establishment of

a new USDA Small Farms Advisory

Committee. The Committee is authorized

for two years and will review programs

and strategies to implement small farm

policy and advise the Secretary on

approaches to improve USDA programs.

This committee is an important step

toward implementing recommendations

in the 1998 USDA National Commission

on Small Farms report, which made several recommendations for increasing the

Department’s investment in agroforestry.

In December, 1999 Secretary

Glickman said, “This committee will be a

critical link in the Administration’s commitment to help small farmers and ranchers across the country preserve their

livelihood for future generations. I will

rely on this committee to provide insight

and input on actions to strengthen USDA

programs that contribute to the viability

and growth of small farms and ranches.”

Dr. Gene Garrett, Director of the

Center for Agroforestry, at the University

of Missouri has been appointed as one of

the members of this 18-person committee

of non-federal advisors.

Dr. Garrett has expressed a willingness to receive input on ideas that can

help small farms become more economically sustainable. You can send your suggestions to: garretth@missouri.edu

Inside Agroforestry

New Working Trees Brochure Coming ....................page 2

Sheep and Christmas Trees: A Good Combo...........page 3

Successful Locally-Led Project Ideas......................page 7

NAC Fact Sheet .....................................................page 11

Fall/Winter, 1999-2000 Forest Service

Natural Resources Conservation Service

National Agroforestry Center

Inside This Issue

Dr. Gene Garrett

Appointed to USDA

Advisory Committee on

Small Farms

Dynamic Duo

Hardy breeds of cattle can get along well on shade-tolerant grass.

forced me to come up with better returns.

The first year I planted bahiagrass, I was

able to sell two cuttings of hay to area

dairies as well as graze my cattle.”

Wide strips. The 40-foot-wide spacing between the twin rows of trees

allowed Owens ample room to operate

his haying equipment. He says the wide

row spacing also lets plenty of light reach

the grazing areas to ensure good forage

growth.

“Pensacola bahiagrass can stand more

abuse than any other grass we have,”

Owens notes. “It’s also shade and

drought tolerant. But bahiagrass isn’t

known for top quality. I remedy that by

drilling five pounds of crimson clover per

With careful management, cattle and

pine trees can make a successful doublecropping combination.

Mention woods grazing to most folks

and it conjures up images of scrawny,

half-wild cattle trying to grub out a living

in honeysuckle and scrub oaks. Not so for

George Owens. On his Chipley, Florida

operation, cattle and pine trees are a carefully orchestrated double-crop system.

“In the 80’s, I found myself with highpriced real estate,” Owens says. “I had to

find a way to create some cash flow on

my ranch. The answer was grazing cattle

under planted pines--in fancier terms, silvopasture.”

In 1985, Owens planted pine trees.

Similar to twin-row crop spacing, he

planted young trees four feet apart in two

rows spaced eight feet apart. He left 40

feet of space between each pair of rows.

In that space, Owens sowed 10 to 12

pounds per acre of Pensacola bahiagrass

seed. On his 50-acre tract, that worked out

to approximately 20 acres of pines and 30

acres of grass.

“If I had bought the land for $300 to

$500 an acre, I could have just planted

pines on it and come out okay,” Owen

says. “But I paid $1,000 an acre, which

(See Dynamic on page 9)

NAC
chemicals providing a natural cleaning

process for soil and water resources.

Major advantages are that the trees can

produce valuable solid wood products for

extra income that helps offset the cost of

treatment, and can diversify the rural

economy. Tree plantings also provide

visual, noise, and odor buffers, while

directly aiding in reducing atmospheric

carbon dioxide by storing carbon in the

trees and wood products. 

Is this right for operators you may

work with? Be sure to get a copy of our

new Working Trees for Treating Waste

brochure which will be arriving this

spring to find out more. Inquire about this

and other Working Trees brochures by emailing Nancy at the Center:

nhammond/rmrs_lincoln@fs.fed.us or fax

NAC Director’s Corner

2 Inside Agroforestry

A commentary on the status of agroforestry

by Center Director, Dr. Greg Ruark

Your Success is Our Success

Ultimately, success must be judged against how well an agroforestry practice accomplishes its intended objectives. This issue

highlights a few of the successful agroforestry efforts across the

country. As we collected these stories, the staff at NAC was

pleasantly surprised by the variety of innovative approaches. We

hope you too will read these stories and find them interesting.

Remember that NAC is always interested in hearing about experiences from our readers so that we can help you share them with

other natural resource professionals.

All across the United States we are seeing an increased use of

agroforestry. Farmers, ranchers, and communities are adapting

and adopting a wide variety of agroforestry technologies to meet

their needs. “Working trees” are being employed for many purposes, including water quality protection, crop and livestock production, wildlife habitat, and diversifying farm economies. One

indicator of the expanding demand for agroforestry is that last

fiscal year the NAC filled requests from natural resource professionals for over 108,000 brochures and technical notes. Five of

our 8 X 10-foot traveling displays were loaned out for 71 events

in 20 states. 

A better picture of the adoption and potential demand for

agroforestry is needed. To this end, NAC has been working in

partnership with the National Association of Resource

Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils to conduct

and analyze a national agroforestry survey of RC&D Councils.

The survey was designed to gauge the current usage of agroforestry by practice types (alley cropping, forest farming, riparian forest buffers, silvopasture, windbreaks, and special applications) and by region of the country. It will also indicate where

future demand is likely to occur. Survey results will be highlighted in our next Inside Agroforestry Spring issue. NAC

Plant science and engineering have

combined forces forming a natural alternative to treating waste and growing trees

at the same time. The technology of using

fast growing trees, like hybrid poplars, to

recycle nutrients from solid and liquid

waste is here and rapidly being adopted.

This waste treatment approach has

emerged as an alternative to other expensive treatment technologies, such as constructed treatment plants. 

Excess nutrients and other chemicals

coming from agricultural, municipal, and

industrial operations are a concern to surface and ground water quality. Instead,

turn this waste into a product by applying

it to trees. This “waste” is actually a food

and water source for trees. Trees uptake

excess nutrients and breakdown harmful

Working Trees for Treating Waste brochure

coming soon. 

Working Trees for Treating Waste Brochure Coming Soon

her at 402-437-5712. You may also order

on-line from our web site.

www.unl.edu/nac/ NAC

Ultimately,

success must be judged 

against how well an agroforestry 

practice accomplishes 

its intended objectives.
Inside Agroforestry 3

Sheep and Christmas Trees: A Good

Combination

One Missouri resident practicing agroforestry is Bill White, a biologist with the

Missouri Department of Conservation and

owner of White’s Christmas Tree Farm in

Union Star. Currently 10 of the farm’s 60

“rolling” acres are planted with Scotch

pine, white pine, fir, and spruce Christmas

trees -- 800 trees per acre. The other

acreage is under CRP programs and

includes some walnut trees White is managing the walnut for lumber production.

White’s wife Diane and their four sons

enjoy the family Christmas tree operation,

especially after they purchased their first

shropshire sheep a little over two years

ago. White explains that shropshire have

been extensively researched for grazing

Christmas trees in Europe and says, “It’s

the breed that did the best in their trials.”

The shropshires are employed under a

rotational system to provide weed control.

White’s first two years of owning the

sheep were spent experimenting with

rotation timing and grazing intensity. “It’s

taken some adaptation and careful observation. I’ve never raised sheep before so

it’s been a real learning experience.”

The family markets lambs and older

cull animals to local markets. Some lambs

are employed by the White’s sons in 4-H

and FFA programs.

Relates White, “Most of my summers

before the sheep were spent fighting the

vegetation around the Christmas trees by

weeding, applying herbicide, mowing,

and trimming. Introducing the sheep was

a way for me to gain a little

more spare time. Since we

have an added lambing season in the winter, our work

load isn’t totally lessened,

it’s just less intense during

summer months. 

It’s pretty amazing

what the sheep accomplish.

When you first let them in a

new pasture they’ll go right

down the weeds on the first

row of trees like a lawn

mower. Then they’ll start on

the grass between the trees.

They do a real thorough job.

Prior to the sheep I was

mowing maybe five to six

times a year and applying herbicide twice

a year, and now I only mow twice a year

(once right before marketing season to

spruce things up) and I no longer apply

herbicide. So it’s saved me quite a bit in

summertime labor and costs, and we have

a little money from sheep sales.”

Currently the Whites have around 20

shropshires total including lambs and

intend to increase their herd to 30 for

their Christmas tree operation. Once their

lands come out of CRP they plan to further expand their sheep numbers.

From one to two acres of Christmas

trees are planted annually at the farm on a

rotation system. The family markets their

trees from $3.50 to $4.50 a foot depending on the species. Also depending on the

species, the trees are harvested anywhere

from five to nine years of age. Larger

trees that aren’t picked during the season

are utilized in wreaths and grave blankets

in the White’s on-site Christmas theme

gift shop. They also offer ornaments, tree

stands, etc. Because so many people

asked about their sheep the first year the

sheep are now found in a pen next to the

gift shop during market season.

“It makes a great conversation piece

and the kids especially enjoy the lambs,”

says White.

Adapted from AgVentures Volume 3 Issue 4

“Agroforestry Opportunities for Landowners,

Enhance Your Income, Property, and Life!” by

Elizabeth Marcelina

Missouri’s Agroforestry

Program

Missouri has its own active agroforestry agenda and landowners are

reaping the benefits. The Missouri

Agroforestry Program is a result of the

Missouri Economic Diversification and

Afforestation Act of 1990 which was

passed by the 85th Missouri General

Assembly and directed the Missouri

Department of Conservation (MDC) to

develop and implement an agroforestry

program in cooperation with other

specified organizations. 

“The major intent of the program

was to provide state rental payments,”

Doug Wallace, USDA NRCS staff

forester said. “Thus a farmer would

have the potential to receive incentive

payments on CRP lands for up to 20

years (25 years on 15-year CRP contracts) if they used those lands for

agroforestry purposes.”

The State of Missouri, through the

program, works with state landowners

to cost-share tree plantings and assists

with planting design and layout.

“In addition to tree farmers we have

agroforesters who are generally more

agricultural oriented landowners trying

to incorporate forestry practices into

their traditional crop systems.” says

Wallace. “And they may or may not be

tree farmers. Although the two programs sometimes overlap, you don’t

have to be a tree farmer to be an agroforester and vice versa.”

Wallace adds that a challenge for

agroforesters are “initial” costs which

he mentions have to be carried forward

until a landowner can start realizing

any revenue from his investment.

“What state and federal programs

do is give you some type of reimbursement to plant trees, and if you’re eligible, to start obtaining rental payments,”

comments Wallace. “So that helps

cover your upfront costs and a lot of

times when your program has ended

you can start making money on your

trees depending on the program you’ve

chosen.”

The program’s goals are to complement new or extended CRP, encourage

soil conservation, and encourage diversification.

Adapted from AgVentures Volume 3 Issue 4

“Agroforestry Opportunities for Landowners,

Enhance Your Income, Property, and Life!” by

Elizabeth Marcelina

NAC

NAC

White says, “It’s pretty amazing what the sheep accomplish.

When you first let them in a new pasture they’ll go right

down the weeds on the first row of trees like a lawn mower.”
Spotlight On Success Ohio

4 Inside Agroforestry

The Northwest Ohio Field Windbreak Program is a complete

tree planting program. Participating landowners receive complete

service from design of a windbreak to planting of the trees. 

It’s an interagency effort that began in 1977. Objectives were

to get field windbreaks planted, reduce soil erosion, protect crops

from wind damage, and enhance wildlife habitat. Since its beginning, more than 1,150 windbreaks have been planted, covering

more than 631 row miles. 

The interagency committee meets at least twice a year to discuss the program and make changes where necessary.

Cooperating Agencies and organizations include: local Soil and

Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) in 15 northwest Ohio

counties, the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service

(NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA); the Ohio Department

of Natural Resources’ Divisions of Forestry, Soil & Water, and

Wildlife; and Pheasants Forever. 

Landowners interested in planting a windbreak on their farm

first contact their local SWCD Office during the summer, fall or

winter prior to planting season. SWCD or NRCS personnel plan

and help design the windbreak. This includes explaining the

requirements of the program, preparing maps of the windbreak’s

location, helping with selection of proper tree and shrub species

to plant, and explain any site preparation that might be necessary

on the landowners part. County SWCD staff also physically

stake the location of the windbreak in the field prior to spring

planting. 

Windbreaks planted through the Northwest Ohio Windbreak

Program must be at least 1,000 row feet in total length, and be

Submitted by Gregg Maxfield, Ohio Division of Forestry

Northwest Ohio Field Windbreak Program

protecting agricultural land. Landowners can

have from one to six rows of trees and shrubs

planted through the program. 

Because of the various soil types and

landowner interests, there are 10 to 13 species

available each year for planting, including:

arborvitae, eastern red cedar, Norway Spruce,

Austrian Pine, White pine, baldcypress, black

chokeberry, American cranberrybush,

American plum, silky dogwood, pin oak,

English oak, mixed crabapples and blackhaw.

Farmers that want wind protection for their

fields without having to give up much crop

ground will generally plant a single row of

arborvitae. Landowners wanting to improve

wildlife habitat on their farms may have a

multiple row windbreak planted with a variety

of species.

Obtaining planting stock and planting

the windbreaks is the responsibility of the

Ohio Division of Forestry. Most of the

seedlings used in the program are grown at

one of two state nurseries in Ohio.

In February, seedlings are shipped to Maumee State Forest in

northwest Ohio. When planting conditions are right, the

seedlings are transported to the windbreak sites and planted.

Each windbreak receives two applications of a pre-emergent herbicide: once in the spring when the seedlings are planted, and the

second in late fall when a survival count is done.

A survival guarantee for each windbreak planted is a unique

feature of the Northwest Ohio Windbreak Program. If the survival of the windbreak after the first growing season falls below

75 percent, the planting crew will return to the site and replant. If

the survival of the windbreak is 75 percent or greater, the

landowner will be offered seedlings from the Division of

Forestry to replace those that have died. The guarantee ensures a

landowner will have a full windbreak going into the second

growing season. From then on, it is the landowners responsibility

to maintain the windbreak through weed and grass control, protecting the windbreak from wildlife damage and replacing dead

seedlings.

Since 1977 the Northwest Ohio Field Windbreak program has

proven to be a successful conservation program in which government agencies, conservation groups and private landowners have

been working together to reduce soil erosion, protect crops and

enhance wildlife habitat.

For more information on the Northwest Ohio Field 

Windbreak Program contact Gregg Maxfield, Ohio 

Division of Forestry at (419) 424-5004, or e-mail to 

gregg.maxfield@dnr.state.ohio.us.

This newly established windbreak will eventually provide benefits to cropland and the

row crops planted each year. It will also provide wildlife habitat.

NAC
The USDA NRCS Aberdeen, Idaho Plant Materials Center

(PMC), has installed approximately 53,000 linear feet of windbreaks during a four-year period at the Mountain Home Air

Force Base in southwestern Idaho. 

The Base is located in a desolate, eight to 10-inch annual precipitation zone and is subject to high winds, hot summers and

cold winters. There are no native tree stands for miles.

The PMC and Air Force joined forces in 1990 when a test site

was established at the Base to look at the adaptability of trees

and shrubs for the area. Based on cooperative work and technical

expertise from the PMC, the Air Force requested assistance with

planning and installation of windbreaks at the Base. 

A cooperative agreement was developed between the Air

Force and the PMC in 1995 to install the windbreaks over a fouryear period beginning in 1996. The PMC developed alternative

plans and the Air Force chose to install five- and six-row windbreaks consisting of Siberian peashrub, Rocky Mountain

Juniper, Robusta poplar, Austrian pine, chokecherry, and

skunkbush sumac. The Air Force prepared the sites and the PMC

planted the trees and installed weed barrier fabric to help conserve moisture and control weeds. A drip irrigation system was

also installed.

According to Loren St. John, Project Leader at the PMC,

many of the deciduous trees and shrubs grew 18 to 24 inches

during their first growing season. The evergreens grow slower

but will provide year-round protection from the wind once they

are established. In about five years, the windbreaks will be providing protection from the wind and will make living and working conditions on the Base a more pleasant experience.

The Air Force is extremely happy with the survival and

growth of the windbreaks. In fact, plans are underway to continue installing more windbreaks at the Base during the next four

years.

Inside Agroforestry 5

NAC

Windbreaks Come To Life At

Air Force Base

Submitted by Loren St. John, Plant Materials Center Team Leader, Aberdeen, ID

SARE-NAC Agroforestry Producer

Grants for Fiscal Year 1999

NAC partnered with the USDA Sustainable Agriculture

Research and Education (SARE) program to provide a special opportunity for the SARE Farmer Grant Program in fiscal year 1999. The four SARE regional offices solicited and

funded proposals for agroforestry demonstration projects.

Projects could either be initiated and managed by a producer

or could be coordinated by a technical professional, if carried

out on a farm with significant farmer involvement. Farmers,

ranchers, or tribes could propose projects that either installed

established agroforestry practices or explored novel ways of

integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural systems. Funds

totaling $96,000 were provided for the following grants. The

NAC/SARE Partnership will again make funds available in

FY 2000 for agroforestry grants to farms and ranches.

North Central Region

• Iowa, Oak Savanna Restoration -- Diversity in a 

Rotational Grazing System

• Iowa, Crop-bearing Windbreak/Shelterbelt Project

• Minnesota, Growing Various Species of Angelica as a 

Forest Crop in the Midwest

• Missouri, Brambles and Sassafras Agroforestry Project, 

• Missouri, “Scotco Sand” Agroforestry Demonstration, 

• South Dakota, Improve Grazing Profits by Marketing 

Cedar

Northeast Region

• Maryland, Ginseng Dead-Heading

• New York, Propagation of Superior, Straight-Growing 

Black Locust through Agroforestry

• New York, Creating a Demonstration Agroforestry Field

• Vermont, Riparian Buffers

• West Virginia, Ginseng Grown Under PawPaw Trees

Making the Farm Profitable Using Agroforestry

• West Virginia, Medicinal Herb Cultivation, Mushroom 

Production, and Forest Restoration

Southern Region

• North Carolina, Use of Low Value Hardwoods for 

Shiitake Mushroom Production

• North Carolina, Oriental Persimmons and PawPaw: Two 

Sustainable Crops for the South

• Puerto Rico, Demonstrating the Benefits of Agroforestry 

Practices on Family Farms

Western Region

• Guam, Evaluation and Implementation of Nitrogen Fixing

Species in Hedgerow Intercropping

Contact regional SARE offices for more information: North

Central: 402-472-0265; Northeast: 802-656-0471; Southern:

770-412-4787; and Western: 801-797-2257. website:

www.sare.org

Two-year-old planting at the Mountain Home Air Force Base.

Windbreaks, depending on density, can reduce windspeeds up to 80

percent.

NAC
It was 1998 and the blizzard had struck

and fear was the call of the day.

There's no way to keep dry, warm, or safe

nor keep the harsh weather away.

Cattle are crowded against a haystack

trying hard to simply survive.

Death is close in the wind, snow, and cold

and protection means staying alive.

Four people and a car are in a snowdrift

near panic with no help in sight.

The gas tank is low. All they see is snow,

sensing doom on this cold winter night.

Two pheasants are crammed in tight to a post

trying hard to make it, shield the gale.

The only cover available to the young hen

as she huddles up tense by the male.

Survival is hard in a land with no trees

or shrubs to protect from the snow.

If they're planted right, they'll work hard for us.

Safe haven from the arctic powered blow.

Just down the road, where folks think smart

there are barriers made to handle the storm.

They're living snow fences of trees and shrubs

that keep all of nature from harm.

6 Inside Agroforestry

The Wabash River bottom in westcentral Indiana, just north of Clinton, is

subject to frequent flooding. In an effort

to control the flooding, as well as serve a

productive purpose, the cropland site was

converted to wildlife habitat. The restored

riparian buffer and wetland that wildlife

now call home helps to filter sediment and

nutrients during flood events.

After about one year of planning, trees

were planted in the fall of 1998. Twentyone acres out of a seventy acre Wetland

Reserve Program (WRP) easement were

planted to a mixture of native bottomland

hardwood species of trees. The trees are

protected by a permanent easement,

Wildlife Habitat Planting Helps Control Flooding

Submitted by Donald Donovan, USDA-NRCS, Rockville, Indiana 

therefore they will provide benefits for

many generations to come. 

Species that were chosen include bald

cypress, pin oak, pecan, bur oak, swamp

white oak, and swamp oak. They were

planted on 20-foot by 20-foot spacing, or

100 trees-per-acre. A portion of the trees

were planted on an 18-inch high ridge to

see if trees planted on the ridge do better

than those that were not. 

Through a partnership of USDANRCS, White Construction (landowners),

CINERGY (an energy corporation), and

Berg-Warner Nurseries. The land was

enrolled in WRP under a permanent easement. The cost was paid by USDANRCS, with CINERGY also making a

contribution in exchange for the carbon

credits that were gained by planting 

trees.

The trees were planted to provide mast

for wildlife, food and second generation

seed supply. The rest of the WRP tract

will be allowed to naturally regenerate to

Silver maple and cottonwood. There will

also be some open water wetlands developed for water fowl. The trees were

planted taking advantage of small differences in elevation so the trees would have

a better chance of survival during flood

events. 

Blizzard

by Jerry (JB) Bratton

March, 1998

Working Trees for Livestock

Countertop Displays Now Available

These 21" by 28" medium-weight cardboard displays can sit

in your office on a counter or table. Each colorful display

illustrates how trees planted specifically for livestock operations (either for protection or in silvopasture systems) can

benefit landowners. A convenient pocket holds NAC's

Working Trees for Livestock (WTL) brochures.To order

your FREE displays, fill out this order form below and

fax to 402-437-5712. 

Please indicate the number of each display you need.

___ Working Trees for Livestock: Agroforestry for 

Livestock Protection (applies in most states.)

___ Working Trees for Livestock: Agroforestry for the 

Pacific Northwest 

___ Working Trees for Livestock: Silvopasture in the 

Southeast

___ Yes, I need more Working Trees for Livestock 

brochures. 

Please send _________ (indicate number needed.)

Your Name:

Organization:

Shipping address:

City, State, Postal Code:

Phone: E-mail:

Available on a first-come, first served basis, 

so ORDER SOON!!

NAC
Following are some of the successful projects that Conservation Districts have done to

increase their conservation efforts through marketing, grant-seeking, and partnerships.

Some of these stories may spark ideas which could be used to build on your agroforestry outreach efforts.

Inside Agroforestry 7

• The Winooski Natural Resource Conservation District mailed out 500 questionnaires

to develop a resource assessment for its District, which covers portions of three counties and both rural and urban land uses. The results of the survey brought some surprises to the District and the local work group in terms of the top natural resource concerns

and their priorities. The information which resulted was used by the local work group in

its preparation and ultimate approval of an EQIP proposal.

Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District, Vermont

• The Oneida Tribe and the Brown and Outagamie County Land Conservation

Departments have joined together to create a partnership which can serve as a national

model to cooperatively address shared water resources goals on tribal and non-tribal

lands. The three partners have developed an EQIP proposal, and project implementation

will be conducted under the leadership for three project managers, one each from the

three cooperators. The EQIP funds will be administered in a joint account by the Brown

and Outagamie County Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices, with disbursement to the

three partners as needed.

Oneida Tribe of Indians, Brown and Outagamie County Land Conservation

Departments, Wisconsin

• The Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) brought

together 35 community leaders representing different conservation interests throughout

the county to assist the District to redirect its conservation efforts. The workgroup identified over 80 local natural resource concerns, prioritized the concerns and identified

several priority geographic areas where these concerns exist. District annual and longrange plans will be developed from this information.

Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District, Indiana

• New London and Windham County SWCD boards discovered that the needs in their

two counties were similar and combined forces across traditional political boundaries to

focus on mutual resource concerns. The result of one meeting was an EQIP proposal to

be submitted to NRCS to address agriculture-related concerns.

New London and Windham County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Connecticut

• The Franklin County SWCD Supervisors invited over 19 agencies and organizations

to participate in assessing needs, gaining public support and working together to focus

people power and funding to address the natural resource needs in their District. The

result was a consensus that the Bear Creek Watershed was their priority watershed. The

District’s leadership role has been recognized in the local newspaper and the County

Commission has doubled their local appropriation. This local partnership is growing

and is now recognized as the Conservation Advisory Committee to the District. 

Franklin County SWCD, Alabama

• Through a series of meetings and field tours, the East and West Stanislaus Resource

Conservation Districts obtained input from over 600 persons and 300 groups for the

local conservation needs assessment process. As a result of the wide input, the local

conservation work group, identified six priority areas to address DDT, nitrates, dormant

sprays, PM-10 air quality issues, endangered species, and ground water recharge.

East and West Stanislaus RCD’s, California.

Successful Locally-Led Conservation Effort Ideas Can Be

Used For Agroforestry Too

Good Ideas From

Wyoming

• District personnel made door-todoor contact with 75 percent of the

producers and agencies within 

their boundaries in order to gain 

local input for natural resource 

conservation concerns in their 

community. 

Little Snake River Conservation 

District, Wyoming

• Where better to reach the public 

than at the mall? This district took 

their questions concerning local 

natural resource conservation 

concerns to the local mall and 

adjoining Sam’s Club. This effort 

supplemented news articles and a 

questionnaire published in the 

district’s newsletter. A free tree 

was provided to local citizens 

providing input to the district’s 

long-range plan.

Natrona County Conservation 

District, Wyoming

• The Laramie County Conservation

District’s efforts to reach 

customers included telephone 

contacts and a mass mailing to 

personally invite 4,500 individuals

to two Conservation District 

public forums. Forum participants 

developed and prioritized natural 

resource concerns which were 

used by the district to develop 

their long-range plan. The District 

has received positive response 

from attendees, including 

legislators and county 

commissioners, for their efforts to 

involve local citizens in natural 

resource conservation.

Laramie County Conservation 

District, Wyoming NAC

NAC
8 Inside Agroforestry

Student’s Windbreaks Project Wins with the Web

By Clover Shelton, Technology Transfer Assistant

Curtis James Hensley, an eighth grade student at Julesburg Junior High in

the Great Plains town of Julesburg, Colorado, developed a successful science

project using the National Agroforestry Center’s web site. He used the information on the site to write a research paper about windbreaks and complete a

project for the local Science Fair last spring. 

To show two primary benefits of windbreaks (temperature reduction and

erosion control), Hensley constructed a miniature farmstead with surrounding

farmland in a cardboard flat (see photo). He used a heat lamp to simulate the

sun’s heat and a fan to simulate the wind. By using a cardboard cutout “windbreak” and a thermometer, he showed the difference that a windbreak can

make in field temperatures. With the “windbreak” in place, an obvious difference was also shown on the effects of wind (from the fan) on erosion.

Besides receiving an “A” on his paper, his project also took first prize in

his class. Congratulations, Curtis James, on your successful understanding of

agroforestry!

Along the edges of the Maple Creek

on his land, Nebraska landowner

Wendelin Dinslage has planted a 150-foot

riparian forest buffer. 

The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources

District (NRD) assisted with the planting

and helped pay for some of the cost of the

trees.

Dinslage placed nearly nine acres into

the Conservation Reserve Program

(CRP). The buffer is comprised of cottonwood, green ash, and hackberry near the

water, with black walnut, swamp white

oak, red oak, bur oak, and silver maple

away from the waters edge. 

The buffer will primarily protect

Dinslage’s stream bank and provide wildlife habitat. But, since the plan incorporated some of Dinslage’s favorite trees to

harvest for woodworking, the planting

will later serve as a supply for woodworking projects. Dinslage makes everything

from roll-top desks, wooden antique car

toy replicas, and beveled doors for cabinets.

People often regard Siberian elm as a

nuisance wood. Dinslage used pieces of

the “nuisance” elm to create beautiful

beveled panels in his kitchen cabinets.

The wood remains unstained and is very

attractive. 

Over the years, he acquired his own

sawmill, built his own kiln and stocked an

abundant supply of lumber. 

Dinslage’s project is a good example

of really getting the most out of an agroforestry planting. NAC

Riparian Forest Buffer

Will Work Twice as Hard

Submitted by Pat McGrane, Public Affairs

Specialist, USDA-NRCS, Lincoln, Nebraska

Wendelin Dinslage, who farms near Howells,

Nebraska, holds a wooden antique car and

stands beside a roll top desk he crafted himself. He has planted a riparian buffer on his

property to protect the streambank, provide

wildlife habitat, and later serve as a source

of lumber for his woodmaking hobby. 

Eighth grade Julesburg, Colorado student Curtis

James Hensley constructed a miniature farmstead to

show the effects of windbreaks. 

The Minnesota Agroforestry

Cooperative is working to establish a

fund that will finance the conversion of

25,000 acres of marginal agricultural land

to hybrid poplar. The Cooperative was

formed in 1996 to assist producers with

the cash flow difficulties of growing trees

compared with traditional annual crops

and to also provide agronomic and marketing support. Its motto is “Money doesn’t grow on trees, even though our trees

grow you money.”

The cooperative’s fund will cover

establishment costs, three years of maintenance payments, and advance payments

to help the producer with land taxes and

other annual costs. This will amortize

their harvest gain to help relieve the tax

burden associated with a 10-year crop.

This is an excellent

example of a success

story using the

Internet. NAC’s 

user-friendly web site,

located at

www.unl.edu/nac,

is a comprehensive

source of information

on all agroforestry

practices. 

Minnesota Agroforestry Cooperative — Hybrid

Poplar Fund

Producers can receive $143 per acre for

establishment and $35 per acre each year

through age three for maintenance, such

as weed and insect control. In years 4-10

advance payments are available for up to

70 percent of estimated annual yield. At

harvest time, the cooperative will negotiate the best price for the wood and arrange

for harvest and transportation. Funds that

were advanced to the producer plus a five

percent administrative charge will be

deducted from the harvest gross. The producer can then re-enter the program for

the next rotation. 

For more information about the cooperative, contact Debbie Letosky, 900 Robert

Street, #104, Alexandria, MN 56308;

phone 320-763-3191, ext. 5. NAC

NAC
because of the low quality of the grass,”

St. Louis says. “But we’ve learned that

rotational grazing can increase the grass

quality.”

Owens runs cattle on his grass and

pine trees during the summer and fall.

Then he gives the land a break by moving

the cattle to another farm during the cold

season. They overwinter on ryegrassclover pastures, and receive supplemental

whole cottonseed and bahia hay.

“I move cattle in winter so they won’t

be tempted to gnaw on the pine trees

when the grass gets scarce,” Owens

explains. He says his winter forages also

get the cows in good enough condition to

achieve a 90-percent conception rate during his 100-day spring-breeding season.

Protects trees. Common sense plays a

key role in preventing damage to the

trees. Although Owens turned lighterweight calves into the pine-grass combo

when the trees were only two years old,

he was more cautious with mature cows.

“Keep them off the young timber until

it is three or four years old so the cows

won’t bite the tops out of the trees or

trample on them,” he says. “You want to

make sure the trees aren’t the only thing

green that’s available when you turn the

cattle in.”

At the Mississippi research site, the

scientists turned cattle in after one year.

“At a lower stocking rate of 500 pounds

per acre, we didn’t have much damage to

the trees,” St. Louis says. “But we did

have damage when we increased the

stocking rate to 1,000 pounds per acre.”

With his meticulous management,

Owens estimates that he gets 70 percent

as much timber per acre from his doublecropped trees as from solid-set pines. 

“Solid-set trees will grow about 1.4

cords per acre per year,” he reports. “My

twin-row pine stand will grow about one

cord, which is still $50 an acre of growth

per year.”

After 11 years of comparing timber

growth in grazed stands and non-grazed

stands, St. Louis reports no difference in

yields between the two.

Scientists at the Louisiana State

University, Hill Farm Research Station

near Homer, LA have achieved better

results than either St. Louis or Owens by

grazing cattle under 30-year-old pines.

“In the last 14 years, cattle haven’t had

any negative impact on our mature trees,”

reports forester Terry Clason. “We’ve

actually had a 30 percent increase in timber yields because of the fertility benefits

from forages.”

Owens says his trees are now big

enough that haying is no longer feasible.

To generate extra income, he’s selling his

pine straw to a man who bales it in 18- to

22-pound bales for nurseries and garden

centers. He pays Owens about $30 an acre

per year for the pine straw.

“Everybody said raising cattle and

pines together wouldn’t work because the

cattle would destroy the trees.” Owens

says. “But I’ve been able to double the

return from my land with this combination. I also get some extra return from my

cattle by marketing them for recreation

instead of the dinner table. I get a premium on all of my Longhorns by selling

them to rodeo companies and owners of

practice-roping pens. When you combine

my cattle sales with the tree business, I

have a dynamic duo.”

Reprinted from “The Furrow.” by Becky Mills.

Inside Agroforestry 9

(Dynamic from page 1)

NAC

acre into it every October. I love clover.

As long as I get nitrogen from the legume,

the grazing benefits are immaterial.” 

Along with providing nitrogen for the

pines and boosting the quality of the bahiagrass, the clover stretches the grazing

season on hay through December.

To help insure that his forages succeed, Owens applies lime every three to

four years, according to soil-test recommendations. “If we don’t keep the pH up,

we don’t have clover,” he says. To keep

the bahiagrass thriving, he applies broiler

litter at the rate of two tons per acre every

other year.

Owens manages his forages by sticking to a stocking rate of one cow and calf

per acre. “I try to maintain a stocking rate

that will produce excess grass, not excess

cattle,” he says. The veteran rancher uses

intensive rotational grazing at times to

favor the clover or to force his cattle to

eat the grass growing under the pine

straw.

To keep pine straw from completely

smothering the grass, Owens conducts

controlled burns every three years.

There’s a tax advantage in the burns as

well. Owens points out that the costs

incurred can be counted as an annualized

expense rather than a capital expense that

can’t be deducted until trees are harvested.

Hardy cattle. Owens also meticulously selects and manages his cattle.

Longhorns are his breed of choice. “I

don’t think straight English cattle would

do very well in my agroforestry program,” he says. “Half Brahman, or more,

will work. But if you produce purebred

Angus or Simmental cattle and are after

heavy weaning weights, it won’t work

out.”

David St. Louis, a Mississippi State

University animal scientist, also has concerns about the potential lower performance from certain breeds in this grazing

system. At the South Mississippi

Experiment Station in Poplarville, St.

Louis and his fellow researchers run a silvopasture program similar to the one

Owens has developed. Rather than a cowcalf program, however, the scientists have

only stocker steers.

“I wouldn’t raise heavy-milking cattle

Income Opportunities From

Specialty Products

Agroforestry in the Northeast

March 23-25, 2000

This Conference will provide professionals and laypeople information

about agroforestry and the technologies and benefits it may bring to the

Northeast. 

For more information contact

Threshold to Maine RC&D:

www.thresholdtomaine.org/

agroforestry/

e-mail: rcd@cybertours.com

Phone: 207-657-3131

Sponsored by: USDA NAC, New

England Association of RC&D

Areas, Maine Association of RC&D

Areas, and Maine Forest Service

Stewardship Program.
10 Inside Agroforestry

On his five-acre property in central

Texas near Austin, Rob McIntyre is

experimenting with a creative forest farming venture. 

McIntyre describes his project in “levels.” He estimates that “With the exception of Level 3, each have a potential

gross return of about $10,000 to $20,000

per acre per year.”

McIntyre says, “Despite weather

extremes and my own mistakes, I think

I’ve made progress in developing the prototype for a diversified, profitable tree

farm on an acreage lot near Austin.”

Following is a description of each level.

Level 1: The underground portion of

this experimental orchard consists of

black truffles (gourmet mushrooms).

Europeans currently grow most of the

world’s truffles and with the exception of

North Carolina, McIntyre is not aware of

any confirmed production of black truffles. The truffles grow in symbiosis with

the roots of live oak trees that were planted as seedlings in 1988. The trees are now

over six feet tall.

Level 2: While the trees in the orchard

are maturing, McIntyre uses the alleys for

quick-growing wildflowers and grasses

that are suitable for bouquets. He currently grows many flowers including Mexican

hat and horsemint.

Level 3: In 1992, thirty-six American

persimmon seedlings were planted.

McIntyre intends for this level to eventually yield persimmon

lumber, which can be as

valuable as walnut wood

when produced on bottomlands. However, the

surviving persimmon

trees have grown little

since 1992. Slow growth

may be a result of freeze

injuries, record drought,

weed competition, and

upland clay soil with 7.9

pH. 

McIntyre chose

American persimmons

because they are very

tough and adaptable trees

that yield valuable wood. Fresh or dried

American Persimmon fruits have a taste

that is considered superior by some to the

more popular oriental persimmons sold in

grocery stores. 

Instead of building an expensive drip

irrigation system, McIntyre harvests

water, capturing runoff and storing it in

the soil near each tree. McIntyre says that

“Ancient tree farmers often used this

method in arid and semiarid regions

where the average annual rainfall was as

little as four inches.” He says, “Water harvesting is best-suited to small farms growing drought-tolerant, deep-rooted fruit and

nut trees that can reach runoff stored deep

within the soil.” McIntyre uses a lawn

mower or farm tractor to cut weeds

between rows and doesn’t apply any herbicides or pesticides. 

Level 4: This level is designed to produce acorns and fruits in autumn. During

these months, there is little or no production from the other three levels. 

McIntyre direct-seeded fifty live oaks

from trees bearing acorns that were abundant and relatively low in tannins which

causes a bitter taste. The surviving thirtyfive oaks now average two feet in height.

McIntyre says, “I think there’s potential to develop low-tannin acorns and

acorn oil as an organic cash crop. Some of

the acorn meal, nut butter, and roasted

kernels I’ve made had a pleasant nutty flavor.”

McIntyre’s concept of a four-level orchard.

Four-Level Forest Farming Operation

Making the Most of Agroforestry

Submitted by Rob McIntyre, Landowner, Austin, Texas

When Editing

Your Own Copy

Whenever you write something,

you should know how to edit and polish your own copy. Here are some

guidelines to follow when editing for:

• Brevity. Cut every word that adds

nothing to meaning. Examples:

Change “during the course of” to

“during” and “few in number” to

“few.”

• Clarity. Don’t use vague adjectives when specific ones are called

for. Don’t write “We received numerous inquiries.” Instead write “We

received 14 inquiries.”

• Tone and Style. Make sure your

words sound as if they come from a

human being—and not an institution.

Example: Instead of writing “Further

notification will follow,” write “I’ll

keep you informed.” 

• Variety. Avoid starting each sentence with the same part of speech,

such as a noun or pronoun. Caution:

Don’t try to start each sentence with a

different part of speech. Just strive

for some variety.

• Content. Make your purpose

immediately clear. Don’t force your

reader to wade through several paragraphs before understanding why you

wrote the piece.

• Paragraph strength. See to it that

each paragraph deals with only one

topic. Including too many will make

your reader work too hard.

Source: Communication Briefings,

Volume XVIII, No. IV

NAC

NAC
Purpose: NAC is a pioneering program to accelerate the development of agroforestry, a science and practice

that integrates agriculture and forestry land uses. The partnership combines resources of the two agencies to

develop and apply agroforestry technologies in appropriate conservation and/or production systems for farms,

ranches, and communities.

Role: The Center serves as a catalyst to form partnerships, promote cooperation, and leverage resources. NAC

cooperates with a national network of agencies, universities, and organizations to encourage agroforestry research

and technology transfer. The Center strives to develop and deliver agroforestry technologies based on the needs

of resource professionals who assist landowners.

Programs:

Research & Development: Forest Service scientists and co-located NRCS scientists from the Watershed

Sciences Institute work with university cooperators to develop and integrate agroforestry technologies to attain

more economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable ecosystems.

Technology Transfer & Applications: Forest Service and NRCS Agroforesters work with a national network of

cooperators to develop and distribute agroforestry technical information. 

International Exchange: Forest Service and NRCS Staff facilitate the development of agroforestry projects with

international cooperators and selectively involves agency and university professionals for mutual benefit.

For more information, call 402-437-5178 (extensions listed below):

Administration

• Dr. Greg Ruark, Center Director, ext. 27

Technology Transfer & Applications

• Jerry Bratton, FS Lead Agroforester, ext, 24 (Northern Plains Contact)

• Bruce Wight, NRCS Lead Agroforester, ext. 36 (Northeast Contact)

• Gary Kuhn, NRCS Agroforester, located Spokane, WA. Phone: 509-358-7946 (Western Contact)

• Jim Robinson, NRCS Agroforester, located in Ft. Worth, TX. Phone: 817-509-3215 (Southeast Contact)

• Mike Majeski, FS Agroforester, located in St. Paul, MN. Phone: 651-649-5240 (Midwest Contact)

• Gary Wells, NRCS Landscape Architect, ext. 41

Research & Development

• Dr. Michele Schoeneberger, FS Research Leader 

and Soil Scientist, ext. 21

• Dr. Michael Dosskey, FS Research Riparian 

Ecologist, ext. 25

• Tim Leininger, FS GIS Specialist, ext. 37

• Gary Bentrup, FS Landscape Planner, ext. 18

Inside Agroforestry 11

Northern

Plains Midwest

Northeast

South

West

The USDA National Agroforestry Center

A Forest Service — Natural Resources Conservation Service Partnership

Serving natural resource professionals

NAC Fact Sheet
Upcoming Events

April 11-13, 2000

Agricultural Marketing Outreach 

Workshop for Limited Resource 

Farmers. Memphis, TN. Contact: 

Orlando.Phelps@usda.gov

May 9-12, 2000

Using Conservation Buffers in 

Urbanizing Landscapes National 

Conference. Nebraska City, NE. 

Contact: www.arborday.org

Inside Agroforestry is published quarterly by the

USDA National Agroforestry Center. 

Phone: 402-437-5178; Fax: 402-437-5712.

Greg Ruark, Center Director, ext. 27

Michele Schoeneberger, 

FS Research Leader ext. 21

Jerry Bratton, FS Lead Agroforester ext. 24

Bruce Wight, NRCS Lead Agroforester ext. 36

Kim Stuhr, IA Editor ext. 13

Clover Shelton, Information Assistant ext. 14

Jim Robinson, NRCS Agroforester 

Fort Worth, TX phone: 817-509-3215

Gary Kuhn, NRCS Agroforester 

Spokane, WA phone: 509-358-7946

Mike Majeski, FS Agroforester

St. Paul, MN phone: 651-649-5240

Web Site: www.unl.edu/nac

Mission

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

Research & Development (Rocky Mountain Research Station) and State & Private Forestry 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.

June 18-21, 2000

National RC&D Council Conference. 

“Conserving the Past and Developing 

the Future.” Ogden, UT. Contact: 801-

262-6838

July 8-11, 2000

Soil and Water Conservation Society 

Annual Conference. “Gateway to the 

Future - Conserving Private Land.”

St. Louis, MO. Contact, Pat Mulligan, 

(patm@swcs.org).

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.

September 24-30, 2000

21st Session of the International 

Poplar Commission. “Poplar and 

Willow Culture: Meeting the Needs of 

Society and the Environment.” 

Portland, OR. Contact: Jud Isebrands, 

(jisebran@newnorth.net) or

www.ncfes.umn.edu/IPC2000/ Phone: 

715-362-1116.