S D 3200 - Agroforestry and Farm Forestry Systems (3)

When Offered: On Demand
Agroforestry has been defined by the World Agroforestry Center (2000) as “a dynamic, ecologically based management practice that integrates trees and other tall woody plants in the agricultural landscape to diversify production for increased social, economic and environmental benefits.” This course will focus on how the principles, complexity and diversity of agroforestry systems enhance land productivity and sustainability. The social and economic benefits of such systems for farmers, communities and society will also be discussed. Emphasis will be on temperate zone agroforestry systems, in particular those suitable for, or having potential for, northwest North Carolina. As these systems are much more extensive in (sub)tropical areas, agroforestry systems in those areas will also be briefly reviewed. The main emphasis of the course will be plant (crop) and soil aspects and component interactions, both above and below ground and from spatial and temporal perspectives.
Prerequisite or corequisite: S D 3100.