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A new article has been posted - Agroforestry - An Introduction

Agroforestry is a way to combine agriculture and forestry to provide greater benefits to all. Read the article and then come back here to discuss it!

This is very interesting. I am extremely interested in permaculture - in creating berms and swales to channel water runoff, for example.

Yes, there's just so much involved in the field of agroforestry that I'm sure I'll be adding more articles on this subject. I've got your interests jotted down!

Agroforestry is an intentional growing of woody plants with row crops, forages and/or livestock. Practiced in various forms since ancient times in China, the Mediterranean and pre-colonial America, agroforestry is now gaining interest in North America because of associated economic and environmental benefits.

Interesting article, makes me wish I had a farm rather than a back garden where I grow my 'crops'. The trouble I had last year were rats! They ate my corn and my spinach and my windfall apples!

I don't have room for any live stock, but my sister uses chickens in her garden to keep down the slugs.

Not quite on the same level as Agroforestry!

Linda, I think that if everyone who farms or gardens on any level would practice "micro" agroforestry (I just made that up!) there would be a definite benefit to the local area environments! Little things add up after a while.

Hmmm... rats!? Wow. I have no idea how one goes about dealing with rats in the garden. They're such hardy, innovative, sneaky things! I wonder if there are certain herbs that rats don't like that could be planted between the rows of your corn and spinach?

Food (!) for thought!

Brown Davis - Great information! Thanks so much for posting.