A mixed method approach to exploring landowner interest in woody plantings to integrate conservation and production on Missouri farms
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Agroforestry plantings can provide multiple benefits such as reduced soil erosion, decreased nutrient runoff, increased biodiversity, and greater farm income stability. This array of benefits makes them a promising ecologically based model for agricultural production that simultaneously achieves conservation goals. Despite the benefits conservation programs can provide, many landowners are hesitant to enroll and take land out of agricultural production. This study explores the potential to use food producing tree and shrub species, and/or incorporating cultural benefits like recreation and improved visual quality of the landscape, to increase the likelihood landowners in Missouri would commit to a conservation program. Conservation professionals across the state were interviewed to gather in-depth knowledge on the types of conservation planting designs that include trees and shrubs, conservation agency knowledge and promotion of agroforestry practices, and the relationships between landowners and conservation agencies. The interviews provided direction for a statewide survey to collect landowner perspectives and preferences for different planting plans for their farm and captured their interest in participating in conservation programs to assist in the planting of trees and shrubs on their land. Together, this information helps highlight the opportunities for incorporating agroforestry plantings in conservation programs.
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M.S.