Around the globe and across Canada : the agriculture and agri-food Canada agroforestry division

Paper presented at the 11th North American Agroforesty Conference, which was held May 31-June 3, 2009 in Columbia, Missouri.In Gold, M.A. and M.M. Hall, eds. Agroforestry Comes of Age: Putting Science into Practice. Proceedings, 11th North American Agroforestry Conference, Columbia, Mo., May 31-June 3, 2009."The Agroforestry Division of the new Agri-Environment Services Branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is in transition from a predominantly regional focus to a national role in providing leadership and expertise in agroforestry research, development and delivery across Canada. In its expanded role, the Agroforestry Division seeks to enhance agroforestry practices through the development of partnerships with regional and local agroforestry interests. National coordination will assist to identify and prioritize research needs, develop and publish technical materials, and to establish demonstration sites to promote agroforestry as an economically viable and sustainable agricultural practice. However, many challenges exist in the expansion to a national role. This document will provide a history of the existing Division, its structure and the issues of functioning as a national organization."--From Introduction.Tricia Pollock (1) and Henry de Gooijer (1) ; 1. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Agroforestry Division, Indian Head, SK, Canada, S0G 2K0.Includes bibliographical references

Communicating the economic and environmental impacts of agroforestry systems

Paper presented at the 11th North American Agroforesty Conference, which was held May 31-June 3, 2009 in Columbia, Missouri.In Gold, M.A. and M.M. Hall, eds. Agroforestry Comes of Age: Putting Science into Practice. Proceedings, 11th North American Agroforestry Conference, Columbia, Mo., May 31-June 3, 2009.The Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Agroforestry Division conducts research, development and delivers technology tools, products and services including tree and shrub seedlings for the adoption and integration of agroforestry practices by producers. The Division works toward increasing the adoption of agroforestry by demonstrating that agroforestry practices can be both environmentally and economically beneficial if properly integrated as a management practice in the agricultural landscape. To do so, it is important to demonstrate the return on investment for the producer, highlighting private benefits, while also determining opportunities that recognize public benefits. Agricultural practices are constantly changing as producers adopt new technologies and adapt to changing markets, social concerns and changing physical environments. Some producers may no longer consider trees in the agricultural landscape necessary as they rely more on adopted technologies and machinery advancements to impact production and environmental issues traditionally addressed by shelterbelts and tree buffers. As farms become larger and demographics of the farm population change, there is less time and traditional labour for producers to plant and care for trees. Agroforestry specialists and development staff must be cognizant of agricultural trends and keep this in mind when developing agroforestry marketing strategies and programming that is directed at producers. Using the AAFC-PFRA Agroforestry Division's Prairie Shelterbelt Program as an example, this presentation will focus on government & producer investment in agroforestry systems and the economic and environmental impacts of agroforestry systems for the producer and on the agricultural landscape.Laura Poppy (1), Janna Lutz (1), and Henry de Gooijer (1) ; 1. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Agroforestry Division, Indian Head, SK, Canada, S0G 2K0.Includes bibliographical references