What is agroforestry? Many people do not know what exactly agroforestry is. The answer is simple. Agroforestry is the combination of trees, crops, and/or livestock into a system which focus on the interactions between the components rather than the components themselves (Sharrow 1997). It is mostly practiced in developing countries where its ability to be used to produce several different outputs is critical to the farmers. Agroforestry is not practiced on the same scale that monoculture agriculture is practiced in the United States. It has several different systems that incorporate the different components in different ways. There are several different applications of agroforestry in the United States, however, silvopastoral agroforestry in the United States is the focus of this paper. Silvopastoral systems combine trees with animal agriculture for several different outputs (Sharrow 2008). It can be used to produce timber outputs such as lumber, pulp, or biomass. It also allows for livestock agriculture outputs to be generated as well. Silvopastoral agroforestry provides many benefits that single resource management cannot provide such as more efficient nutrient use, increased revenue flow, increased diversity, increased resilience, increased livestock productivity, increased tree productivity, increased sustainability and environmental benefits (Cubbage, Balmelli, Bussoni et al. 2012). This paper discusses the benefits that can be provided by practicing Silvopastoral agroforestry in the agroforestry, and the incentives provided by application of Silvopastoral systems in the United States; particularly the benefits associated with livestock productivity and timber production.
What is silvopastoral agroforestry? That is a question...
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...ry it is clear that it is not for everyone. That is most likely the reason behind why it is not practiced throughout the United States. One must also realize that education is another aspect behind agroforestry. Practitioners must be aware of the interactions between components, and understand how they work to best manipulate the components to optimize productivity. Understanding of how silvopastoral systems work is critical being able to properly manage a silvopastoral system, and many do not have this understanding which limits the ability of silvopastoral systems being practiced. In time silvopastoral systems will likely expand as the search for more sustainable practices continues. It because of the benefits, and sustainability of silvopastoral systems that this remains a feasible alternative to conventional methods of forest farming, and livestock agriculture.
Even though some people think modernizing is the key to a successful economy in the future, it doesn't mean that the farming industry should be reduced to the back burner when thinking about what is contributing to the ever-growing economy. My point here that agriculture is vital to America’s economy and should not altered should interest those who live in farming communities. Beyond this limited audience, however, my point should speak to anyone who cares about the larger issue of making sure agriculture is seen as an important asset that benefits citizens and other industries that utilize the products that are
Traditional agriculture requires massive forest and grassland removal to obtain land necessary to farm on. Deforestation and overgrazing has caused erosion flooding, and enabled the expansion of deserts. But with drainage systems, leveling, and irrigation provided by the Green Rev, all this terra deforming will unlikely happen again. We can retain clean air and lessen the global warming effect caused by deforestation.Many people argue that a revamp in agriculture will be way too expensive and unrealistic especially for those poor farmers in third world countries. However many times, they exaggerate the price.
Agriculture has been a part of American life for tens of thousands of years. The modern world today has changed a lot since then thanks to technology and new scientific studies in order to improve the way we see agriculture today. A specific change is a term call biotechnology which is the use of living organisms or other biological systems in the manufacture of drugs or other products or for environmental management, as in waste recycling. Biotechnology has changed agriculture by making plants resistant to certain diseases or to the animal aspect of changing the sex of a cow its just remarkable on how much science has changed and how far its come. Of course everything comes with its good and bad and this is sure a controversy that has gone on forever about its health risks and if its actually healthy for you but it is one part of science that has changed they way we farm and plant crops today.
Agriculture is an absolute necessity for human life on Earth to continue. There are too many people on the planet for existence as hunters and gatherers to work anymore. That said, it must be realized that concessions must be made to allow such food growth and production to occur. But this does not mean that another important element of life on Earth can be destroyed for it. Unfortunately, that is indeed what is occurring, at an alarming rate. The rainforests of the planet are dwindling as the land they belong on is used more and more for agriculture, all over the world. In the Amazon, ,the most commonly detrimental agricultural practice is the technique of land clearing known as Slash and Burn.
Currently, agribusinesses’ dominate the U.S food production, employing unethical practices in order to maximize profits at the expense of the environment, animal welfare, and even our health. Economically, other methods of harvest often “require higher capital and petroleum energy inputs” that lower “the return to the farmer/rancher” (L34) which results in farmers using other more convenient methods that higher their
Farmers are the agents of more Rainforest destruction than any other factor. Farmers in rainforest countries are often po...
For years organic farmers and conventional farmers have feuded over which is superior. Organic farmers argue that their product is more eco-friendly because they do not use the synthetic chemicals and fertilizers conventional farmer’s use. Conventional farmers argue that their product is healthier and yields more. People tend to have stereotypes regarding the two types of farmers. Organic farmers are usually thought of as liberal, hippy, tree-huggers while conventional farmers are usually thought of as right-wing, industrialists. Obviously, some do adhere to this stereotype, but a majority of these farmers are normal, hardworking people. Although these farmers, both believe in their methods, one is no better than the other. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, but there is no true superior method of crop farming.
Bredahl, M. E. et al. Agriculture, Trade, & the Environment. Westview Press: Boulder, Colorado, 2006. pp. 288.
What would happen if farmer’s fields didn’t grow according as planned? How would America get it’s precious food? Thank goodness for agronomist’s. Agronomist work hard work hard to make sure a farmer’s fields are at the peak of their performance. Agronomist’s work with crops, soils, and improving the environment (Agronomy.org).
Agriculture is one of the most ancient forms of art and science that ties human development and well-being to natural resources and ecosystems. (Fritz J. Häni, 2007) Sustainable Agriculture is the production of food, fibre, plant and animal products using farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, human communities and animal welfare. (Sustainable Agriculture - The Basics, 2015) Sustainable agriculture is an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site – specific application that over the long term will:
...t too expensive for the farmers. The second step is that broader awareness is required. According to Sarah Alexander, “different farmers trust different sources, such as vendors, crop consultants, and university extension services.” Farmers are going to need to be open minded to new things, in order to feed the human race. The last step is farmers need the right incentives. Farmers want to know about the good that they are doing. Farmer’s want to know how they are saving the environment, and how they are producing more food, and feeding more people than they were before.
Government Intervention Affecting Agricultural Trade, Gary F. Fairchild, Professor, University of Florida, Geoffrey A. Benson, Extension Economist, North Carolina State University, Larry D. Sanders, Extension Economist, Oklahoma State University, James L. Seale, Jr, Professor, University of Florida
Animal agriculture is most directly influenced economically by industry. Decision Innovation Solutions, a research group with a background in agriculture, provides that “from 2004-2014, U.S. animal agriculture increased national gross product by $123 billion in economic output, boosted household earnings by over $21 billion and supported an additional 645,629 jobs.” The data, collected by Our Soy Checkoff, an organization for soybean farmers, shows how the growth of animal agriculture in the U.S. over a ten year course led to an increase in jobs and national wealth (“U.S. Economic Impact…”). The presented data demonstrates the improvement of the economy due to animal agriculture workers receiving more income, along with the increase in available jobs. iGrow, an extension of South Dakota State University with a focus on agriculture, says that in 2012 the U.S. animal agriculture was responsible for 1,851,000 jobs, a total economic output of $346 billion, $60 billion in household income, a paid income taxes of $15 billion, and paid property
Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals--environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. A variety of philosophies, policies and practices have contributed to these goals. People in many different capacities, from farmers to consumers, have shared this vision and contributed to it.
Logsdon, Gene. “What if Farming for Profit Really isn't Possible.” The Land Institute. Prairie Writers, 2013. Web. 30 Oct. 2013.