A vision and roadmap for the next generation of agricultural systems

Agroforestry Working Group

This group sees agroforestry as an integral component of sustainable landscapes with the potential to provide multiple ecological, economic and social functions and benefits. A guiding principal of agroforestry has been that the synergies inherent in multispecies and multistrata systems, both above and below ground, create benefits that are greater than what would be possible with the same species in a monospecific configuration. Agroforestry practices are highly variable and will be specifically selected and adapted to local economic, social and ecologic conditions through a highly participatory process working with landowners and other supportive stakeholders. A collaborative framework under the GLBW umbrella will provide an important network and forum for collaborative work and the exchange of information that currently does not exist.

Although members have collaborated on projects and other activities in the past, this agroforestry group has only recently been formed. Nonetheless, preliminary discussions have identified areas of common interest and ideas for how we might proceed. What did come out of the conversations was the need to form a region-wide coordinating body that would allow us to exchange ideas and collaborate on the research, extension and outreach activities related to agroforestry.

For more information about this working group and/or to become a partner, please contact Dean Current, CINRAM, University of Minnesota, via email curre002@umn.edu or phone 612-624-4299.

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