Funding Incentives for Agroforestry in Missouri

Abstract

Agroforestry describes a set of land use practices that incorporate trees, shrubs, forages, crops and/or livestock designed in a way that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. Agroforestry practices help landowners to diversify products, markets, and farm income; improve soil and water quality; and reduce erosion, non-point source pollution and damage due to flooding. The integrated practices of agroforestry enhance land and aquatic habitats for fish and wildlife and improve biodiversity while sustaining land resources for generations to come. The five recognized agroforestry practices are : 1) alley cropping, 2) windbreaks, 3) riparian buffers, 4) silvopasture, and 5) forest farming.