What is Agroforestry, farm forestry and family forestry?

Most Australian Master TreeGrowers are farmers who want trees to shelter stock and crops, control land degradation, enhance wildlife habitat and improve their landscape. Where they are able to incorporate commercial trees into these or other plantings they may be hoping to produce high quality timber, bushfoods, eucalyptus oils or other commercial tree products. Others are independent forest owners managing their own native forest or plantations for a similarly wide range of reasons.

We define agroforestry, farm forestry and family forestry as the commitment of farmers, alone or in partnerships, towards the establishment and management of forests on their land. Where many landholders are involved the result is a diversity of activity that reflects the diversity of aspirations and interests within the community.

The Australian Master TreeGrower web site provides information on our programs, access to free electronic reports, papers, manuals and books, links to national and regional organisations that provide information and support for tree growers, web based tools to assist in the measurement and management of forests, and much more.

Study Agroforestry at University as part of the new Masters in Forest Ecosystem Science

220510 Farm Trees and Agroforestry
This subject covers the principles and practices of integrating trees into the rural agricultural landscape for both conservation and profit. The farming community require trees and shrubs for shade and shelter, soil conservation, salinity control and aesthetics. Farmers can also produce commercial tree products such as timber, fuel, fodder, essential oils and food. Because farmers manage the majority of the Australian landscape governments, community groups and industry are increasingly working in partnership with them to grow trees for environmental services including carbon sequestration, biodiversity and downstream water quality.
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Topics covered
Over two weeks of intensive teaching, practicals and field tours students will develop:
• A working knowledge of farm planning and agroforestry diagnosis and design as tools for developing farm revegetation plans;
• An understanding of the role of trees in providing for landowner, community and industry needs and aspirations;
• Technical design criteria for effective revegetation for resource conservation, agricultural production and commercial purposes;
• The ability to measure and monitor the growth, productivity and environmental impact of forests on farms.
• An understanding of various extension and development approaches for promotion of revegetation and forest management on farms; and,
• An insight into multipurpose tree research methodologies and economic evaluation.

2009 study dates, locations and assessment
• Intensive teaching over 10 days from 20th April to 1st May. The first set of lectures and practicals to be held at the Creswick Campus, followed by a three day field trip to the Otway region in southern Victoria, with the final block of teaching at the Burnley Campus in Melbourne.
• Study materials available from mid-March via the Learning Management System (LMS).
• Final assignment due on the 30th May. Take-home exam paper due 12th June.

New Book on Australian Agroforestry - available April 2009

Agroforestry for natural resource management

Edited by Ian Nuberg, Bredan George and Rowan Reid

52 pages, 260 x 200 mm Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING
Publication date: April 2009

In its early days, agroforestry may have been viewed as the domain of the ‘landcare enthusiast'. Today, integrating trees and shrubs into productive farming systems is seen as a core principle of sustainable agriculture. Agroforestry for Natural Resource Management provides the foundation for an understanding of agroforestry practice in both high and low rainfall zones across Australia.

Three major areas are discussed: environmental functions of trees in the landscape (ecosystem mimicry, hydrology, protection of crops, animals and soil, biodiversity, aesthetics); productive functions of trees (timber, firewood, pulp, fodder, integrated multi-products); and the implementation of agroforestry (design, evaluation, establishment, adoption, policy support).

The book also includes a DVD that features videos on forest measurement and harvesting; Treesmart , an agroforestry species database; a Farm Forestry Toolbox; a Farm Forestry & Agroforestry Reference Library and many regionally specific agroforestry resources.

Agroforestry for Natural Resource Management will be an essential resource for students in agroforestry courses, as well as a valuable introduction to the field for professionals in related areas.

• Wide coverage of the topic, from a ‘principles' perspective
• Written by leading researchers and practitioners from around Australia, with expertise in agronomy, forestry, natural resource management, community and molecular ecologies, agricultural economics, soil science, hydrology, landscape architecture and rural sociology
• Comprehensive and integrated treatment of the environmental roles and productive potential of agroforestry across southern Australia
• Comprehensive and readily useable agroforestry and farm forestry resource base on DVD

Study Agroforestry at University as part of the new Masters in Forest Ecosystem Science

The Australian Master TreeGrower program is supported nationally by the Federal Government's Joint Venture Agroforestry Program and Land & Water Australia

In 2000, the program was awarded the $10,000 Australian Eureka Science award for Excellence in Environmental Education. There is now international interest in the program, most notably from the World Agroforestry Centre whose work examines the potential for trees to improve the lives and landscapes of some of the world’s poorest farmers.