Silvopasture - silvopasture2024-03-29T15:27:31Zhttp://silvopasture.ning.com/forum/topics/silvopasture?commentId=6457695%3AComment%3A12813&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI've used the image above in…tag:silvopasture.ning.com,2016-03-21:6457695:Comment:128132016-03-21T14:17:22.686ZBrett Chedzoyhttp://silvopasture.ning.com/profile/BrettChedzoy
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2507097098?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2507097098?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721"></img></a> I've used the image above in some recent talks to emphasize what are the alternatives (and consequences) of not learning to integrate ag and forestry production systems? This picture shows a forested riparian buffer area that was recently cleared (through excavation) to expand pasture. It was taken on a Mennonite farm, just north of where we live. I suspect the reasoning…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2507097098?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2507097098?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024"/></a>I've used the image above in some recent talks to emphasize what are the alternatives (and consequences) of not learning to integrate ag and forestry production systems? This picture shows a forested riparian buffer area that was recently cleared (through excavation) to expand pasture. It was taken on a Mennonite farm, just north of where we live. I suspect the reasoning behind the clearing was two-fold: 1) to maximize productivity of all available acreage on the farm (Mennonite farmers in this area are limited to 50 acres); and, 2) because we've been too good over the past 70 years of teaching farmers not to put their livestock in woods. So in this case, the solution was to get rid of the woods.</p>
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<p>This one case is illustrative of a trend that I'm seeing all over the landscape as large farms feel pressured to expand (though most clearing is done to convert to crop land), and many small farms are looking to make a living - or at least a "profit" from limited acreage. It's time to spread the word that agroforestry enterprises are an opportunity and (often better) alternative to the traditional mindset of clearing timber for agricultural production.</p>
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