AGROFORESTRY MANAGEMENT RESEARCH

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: MCINTIRE-STENNIS
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0231600
• Project Start Date: Oct 1, 2013
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2016
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
PETERSBURG,VA 23803

Performing Department
Cooperative Extension

Non Technical Summary
80% of Virginia's forests are owned by private owners. Of these, 89% have less than 50 acres. In addition to producing timber from small acreages, many small and limited-resource landowners need to generate income from their forests in order to get by from year to year. While timber provides only periodic income, other production systems in forests can produce yearly income, if well managed. Agroforestry is the combination of trees with annual plants and/or livestock. Agroforestry includes: - Alley Cropping: cultivating annual crops between rows of trees - Forest Farming: managing forests to produce non-timber forest products - Silvopasture: managing forage for livestock under the shade of trees - Riparian Forest Buffers: managing trees strategically around water and other sensitive areas in an agricultural landscape - Windbreaks: establishing rows of trees to create wind barriers and shelter While many of these systems have shown considerable potential in other parts of the world, little research has been undertaken in Central and Eastern Virginia. We aim to undertake economic and biophysical research to characterize agroforestry production systems that Virginia producers currently utilize, and to determine more optimal management regimes. This project will include research on Forest Farming, Silvopasture, and Alley Cropping. Justification of Research Components Component 1: Biophysical testing of agroforestry species in Virginia's Piedmont (forest farming, silvopasture, and alley cropping) Shiitake mushrooms have increased in culinary popularity. Many small-scale producers who own forestland are interested in shiitake production to utilize forest resources to diversify income. There is little research on production of shiitake on natural logs in the US. Successful silvopasture depends on photosynthetic efficiency of forage species in partial shade, and the effects of shade on forage chemical composition. Blueberries are one crop that can possibly find niche markets, but are demanding in their soil requirements, including organic material, and acidic soils. Farmers often must invest in mulch and soil supplements. An alley cropping system with pines might eliminate the need for this cost, and possibly provide other benefits. Component 2: Economic characterization and modeling (silvopasture and alley cropping) Silvopasture and alley cropping provide potential economic benefits, such as risk mitigation through diversification, use of timber as a "savings account" to offset losses from agricultural products, and opportunities to enhance annual returns by changing the crops (including niche products) that are produced from year-to-year depending on market conditions and tree maturity. These benefits could be especially appealing to smaller and more limited-resource producers. However, there may be economies of scale that create barriers to adoption.

Animal Health Component

(N/A)

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

(N/A)

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
125	0699	1060	25%
125	1120	1050	15%
125	1470	1102	15%
125	1699	1050	15%
125	1699	1010	15%
125	6030	3010	15%

Knowledge Area
125 - Agroforestry;

Subject Of Investigation
1120 - Blueberry; 1470 - Mushrooms and other edible fungi; 1699 - Pasture and forage crops, general/other; 6030 - The farm as an enterprise; 0699 - Trees, forests, and forest products, general;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems); 1010 - Nutrition and metabolism; 1102 - Mycology; 3010 - Economics; 1050 - Developmental biology;

Keywords

silvopasture

alley cropping

economics

management

forest farming

shiitake

forage

Goals / Objectives
Goal: Gain greater knowledge of the potential benefits and challenges of various agroforestry management regimes for small and limited-resource landowners. Objectives: 1. Quantify biophysical interactions between components of agroforestry systems. 2. Characterize the economics of agroforestry systems that producers in Virginia and nearby states currently practice, or may find feasible in the future. 3. Use these findings to make recommendations about management of agroforestry.

Project Methods
This research project will be carried out in two components, with subcomponents. Each component is designed to consist of activities that can be carried out independent of the status or results of the other component, yet all contribute to the broader goals stated above. Component 1: Biophysical testing of agroforestry species in Virginia's Piedmont (forest farming, silvopasture, and alley cropping) VSU has established a demonstration site for production of shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) on natural logs at Randolph Farm. This will be expanded to include a testing area. We will compare production of mushrooms on different trees species, as well as compare different varieties of mushrooms. Total production, as measured by mass of mushrooms produced per season, will be compared to production on white oak logs (control). This will be tracked for various years, as it is thought that one of the main differences between white oak and other logs is the length of time they maintain productivity. This knowledge will allow producers to determine which logs are economically profitable to use for mushroom production. We will undertake research to test for shade tolerance of forage species for potential inclusion in silvopasture systems in Central Virginia. This will include a controlled experiment with appropriate replication of forage species in replicated pots under artificial shade structures with varying light intensity, including two or three levels of shade and full sun (control). We will measure growth rate, forage yield, and nutritive value of the various forage species. Once we have selected the species that perform the best in artificial shade, we will undertake a forest thinning operation to continue testing in a silvopasture setting. We also will pre-test the feasibility of a pine-blueberry alley cropping system. We will establish replicated plots of blueberries between rows of loblolly pine trees, with varying width between rows, with a blueberry plantation nearby as a control. We will measure pine growth and yield, blueberry growth and yield, and environmental (soil and light) variables. Component 2: Economic characterization and modeling (silvopasture and alley cropping) We will utilize literature review, analysis of available cost-share program data, interviews with key informants, and documentation and financial analysis of case studies to determine the scale characteristics of silvopasture systems. We will utilize a mean reversion statistical model to understand how agricultural crop and timber prices fluctuate over time. These parameter estimates will feed into a Monte-Carlo mathematical simulation of alley cropping to understand how versatility affects profits. We will compare the economics of standard alley cropping, versatile alley cropping, monoculture annual cropping, and traditional forestry.

Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience: The overall target audience includes farmers and landowners/managers who are interested in knowing the applicability of agroforestry practices in their particular situation, and practices for establishing them. These interested individuals often include small and limited-resource farmers, and those interested in farm sustainability. In addition to direct outreach to farmers/landowners, to reach them indirectly, we often utilize a direct audience of technical service providers as a medium - people who work with and provide guidance to farmers/landowners on a weekly basis. Those may include Extension Specialists and Agents, private consulting foresters and agronomists, USDA and other agency personnel. During the reporting period, we provided 6 workshops directly to farmers/landowners/hobbyists on mushroom production (Component 1A), with an average of 25 participants per workshop. We also involved various Faculty/Staff/Students in inoculation of logs for the experiment. We had one poster presentation for Extension Agents/Specialists. We had one seminar to reach out to farmers/landowners (15 participants at Small Farm Family Conference) and one to technical service providers (20 participants at SAF Convention) about silvopasture during the reporting period. We had one seminar and one poster presentation to reach out to technical service providers and researchers about alley cropping during the reporting period. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We involved various Faculty/Staff/Students in inoculation of logs for the mushroom experiment. We had one poster presentation for Extension Agents/Specialists. We had one seminar to reach out to technical service providers (20 participants at SAF Convention) about silvopasture during the reporting period. We had one seminar and one poster presentation to reach out to technical service providers and researchers about alley cropping during the reporting period. Continue mushroom production workshops. Begin data collection on mushroom production. Begin thinning of plot at Randolph Farm for silvopasture. Establish shade structures to test shade tolerance of forages at Southern Piedmont AREC. Interview silvopasture practitioners about costs of establishing and implementing silvopasture. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? During the reporting period, we provided 6 workshops directly to farmers/landowners/hobbyists on mushroom production (Component 1A), with an average of 25 participants per workshop. We had one seminar to reach out to farmers/landowners (15 participants at Small Farm Family Conference) about silvopasture during the reporting period. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The following were accomplished: Quantify biophysical interactions between components of agroforestry systems. Established experiment to test shiitake mushroom production (2 strains) on logs from 4 tree species (white oak, sweetgum, red maple, tree-of-heaven). Six workshops throughout VA on mushroom production. Field day at Randolph Farm on mushroom production. Engaged stakeholders about establishing silvopasture site at Randolph Farm. Interviewed key informants about scale factors that might affect costs or implementation of silvopasture. Created annotated bibliography of past silvopasture economics research. Interviewed key informants about scale factors that might affect costs or implementation of silvopasture. Created annotated bibliography of past silvopasture economics research. In all, we found that alley cropping was less financially viable than mono-cropping. Overall, we determined alley cropping had profits that were approximately on average 2/3rds of mono-cropping profits. In the absence of policies to subsidize or encourage alley cropping because of the public ecosystem services they provide (such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity, improved storm water runoff), individual farmers and land managers must decide for themselves if their individual stewardship ethic places that much value on a potentially more environmentally-friendly system.

Publications

Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: The overall target audience includes farmers and landowners/managers who are interested in knowing the applicability of agroforestry practices in their particular situation, and practices for establishing them. These interested individuals often include small and limited-resource farmers, and those interested in farm sustainability. In addition to direct outreach to farmers/landowners, to reach them indirectly, we often utilize a direct audience of technical service providers as a medium – people who work with and provide guidance to farmers/landowners on a weekly basis. Those may include Extension Specialists and Agents, private consulting foresters and agronomists, USDA and other agency personnel. During the reporting period, we provided 6 workshops directly to farmers/landowners/hobbyists on mushroom production (Component 1A), with an average of 25 participants per workshop. We also involved various Faculty/Staff/Students in inoculation of logs for the experiment. We had one poster presentation for Extension Agents/Specialists. We had one seminar to reach out to farmers/landowners (15 participants at Small Farm Family Conference) and one to technical service providers (20 participants at SAF Convention) about silvopasture during the reporting period. We had one seminar and one poster presentation to reach out to technical service providers and researchers about alley cropping during the reporting period. Changes/Problems: We will include a new component for low-cost silvopasture establishment at Randolph Farm with hair sheep. This will involve thinning of an existing forest stand. We have not been able to identify an appropriate location for the blueberry pine intercropping. This component of the project may need to be eliminated. Current PI is leaving the University. PI will change to Dr. Marcus Comer. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? We involved various Faculty/Staff/Students in inoculation of logs for the mushroom experiment. We had one poster presentation for Extension Agents/Specialists. We had one seminar to reach out to technical service providers (20 participants at SAF Convention) about silvopasture during the reporting period. We had one seminar and one poster presentation to reach out to technical service providers and researchers about alley cropping during the reporting period. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? During the reporting period, we provided 6 workshops directly to farmers/landowners/hobbyists on mushroom production (Component 1A), with an average of 25 participants per workshop. We had one seminar to reach out to farmers/landowners (15 participants at Small Farm Family Conference) about silvopasture during the reporting period. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Continue mushroom production workshops. Begin data collection on mushroom production. Begin thinning of plot at Randolph Farm for silvopasture. Establish shade structures to test shade tolerance of forages at Southern Piedmont AREC. Interview silvopasture practitioners about costs of establishing and implementing silvopasture.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 80% of Virginia's forests are owned by private owners. Of these, 89% have less than 50 acres. In addition to producing timber from small acreages, many small and limited-resource landowners need to generate income from their forests in order to get by from year to year. While timber provides only periodic income, other production systems in forests can produce yearly income, if well managed. Agroforestry is the combination of trees with annual plants and/or livestock. While many of these systems have shown considerable potential in other parts of the world, little research has been undertaken in Central and Eastern Virginia. We aim to undertake economic and biophysical research to characterize agroforestry production systems that Virginia producers currently utilize, and to determine more optimal management regimes. This project will include research on Forest Farming, Silvopasture, and Alley Cropping. Goal: Gain greater knowledge of the potential benefits and challenges of various agroforestry management regimes for small and limited-resource landowners. Objectives: Quantify biophysical interactions between components of agroforestry systems. Established experiment to test shiitake mushroom production (2 strains) on logs from 4 tree species (white oak, sweetgum, red maple, tree-of-heaven). 6 workshops throughout VA on mushroom production. Field day at Randolph Farm on mushroom production. Engaged stakeholders about establishing silvopasture site at Randolph Farm. Characterize the economics of agroforestry systems that producers in Virginia and nearby states currently practice, or may find feasible in the future. Interviewed key informants about scale factors that might affect costs or implementation of silvopasture. Created annotated bibliography of past silvopasture economics research. Interviewed key informants about scale factors that might affect costs or implementation of silvopasture. Created annotated bibliography of past silvopasture economics research. 3. Use these findings to make recommendations about management of agroforestry. In all, we found that alley cropping was less financially viable than mono-cropping. Overall, we determined alley cropping had profits that were approximately on average 2/3rds of mono-cropping profits. In the absence of policies to subsidize or encourage alley cropping because of the public ecosystem services they provide (such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity, improved stormwater runoff), individual farmers and land managers must decide for themselves if their individual stewardship ethic places that much value on a potentially more environmentally-friendly system.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Frey, G.E., Cary, M., & Mercer, D.E. Draft working paper. The Value of Versatile Alley Cropping: A Monte Carlo simulation approach. In preparation for submission to Agroforestry Systems.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Teutsch, C., Fike, J., Mize, T., Downing, A., Munsell, J., Frey, G., Daniel, J.B., and Adams, M. 2014. Silvopasture Diffusion through Extension and Partnering Agencies in the Upper South. At: Golden Opportunities: The Role of Education and Community Engagement in Sustaining Natural Resources; 9th Biennial Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals Conference; May 1822, 2014; Sacramento, CA. Poster presentation. Awarded Honorable Mention.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Cary, M., Frey, G., and Mercer, D.E. 2014. The Value of Versatile Alley Cropping. At: Forest Economics: Gateway to Sustainability; 1st Symposium of the International Society of Forest Resource Economics (ISFRE); March 17-18, 2014; St. Louis, MO. Conference presentation.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Cary, M., Frey, G., and Mercer, D.E. 2014. Versatile Alley Cropping: An economic model. At: Forest Economics: Gateway to Sustainability; 1st Symposium of the International Society of Forest Resource Economics (ISFRE); March 17-18, 2014; St. Louis, MO. Poster presentation.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Frey, G., Jones, M., Comer, M., Johnson, W., McCann, H., Bowen, J.E., Chewning, C., Miller, C., Williams, M., Grosse, R., Whitehead, R., and Smith, D. 2014. Lets Have Some Fun(gi)!: Education for farm income diversification and home production of mushrooms. At: 2014 Virginia Cooperative Extension Annual Professional Development Conference; Feb 25-27, 2014; Blacksburg, VA. Poster Presentation. Awarded 2nd Place, 2014 VCE Poster Competition, ANR Category.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Downing, A.K., Nylander, P., Fike, J., Frey, G., and J. Munsell. 2013. Silvopasture: Where forest and forage meet. Proceedings of the Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research and Extension Center Field Day; 7 August 2013; Steeles Tavern, VA.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Frey, G.E. 2014. The basics of shiitake mushroom production on natural logs. Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication ANR-102P. Available: http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/ANR/ANR-102/ANR-102.html
• Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Frey, G. 2013. Pests affecting shiitake mushrooms. Forest Farming Community of Practice. eXtension. Available: http://www.extension.org/pages/69657/pests-affecting-shiitake-mushrooms.