The Principles of Agroforestry

Course overview

A one-day introduction to the principles, practice
and potential of growing trees alongside crops and other productive
plants.
Agroforestry offers an exciting approach to land management that
brings trees, crops, livestock and ecological systems together. This one-day
course explores the principles behind agroforestry and considers how these
systems can create productive, resilient and biodiverse landscapes.
Through a
combination of theory, discussion and practical examples, we will explore
different agroforestry systems, from alley cropping to forest gardens and
productive hedgerows. The course considers how trees can influence soil, water,
microclimate, biodiversity and crop production.
We will also look at species
selection, planting arrangements, succession and management, alongside the
opportunities and challenges of incorporating agroforestry principles into
gardens, farms and wider landscapes.

Modules

You will explore:• What agroforestry is and how it has developed• Different agroforestry systems and approaches• The relationships between trees, crops, soil and climate• Designing for productivity, biodiversity and resilience• Species selection and planting combinations• Water, nutrient cycling and microclimates• Examples of successful agroforestry systems• How agroforestry principles can be applied at different scales