Definition: The practice of intentionally integrating trees and shrubs with other crop or animal farming systems for improved production and ecological benefits.
Agroforestry in the Forest Garden:
The TREES Forest Garden model is a prime example of agroforestry in practice, and it incorporates many agroforestry techniques.
Forest Gardens are designed to incorporate a diversity of crops alongside a portfolio of trees. Multipurpose, fruit, timber, and medicinal trees harness the beneficial relationships between different species and create a system with greater overall benefits.
Major Agroforestry Elements in TREES’ Forest Garden Design:
Windbreaks and Living Fences: In the Forest Garden, these two agroforestry elements are combined to create a “Green Wall”. Farmers plant 2-3 rows of different trees around the perimeter of the field that serve to protect crops from wind, roaming animals and other unwanted intruders.
Alley Cropping: In the Forest Garden Design process, farmers plan rows or alleys of trees across their land to build soil fertility. They plant nitrogen fixing trees and use the foliage from these rows of trees as green fertilizer in a method known as “chop and drop”.
Contour Planting: This agroforestry technique is integrated with Forest Gardens when working on sloped land. Contour planting is applied for erosion prevention but can also provide additional soil fertility benefits similar to alley cropping.
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