Koen van Seijen’s Post

🌳 Tree nursery dynamics are an underappreciated but critical part of expanding #agroforestry in the United States. 💡 In the report below, we analyze whether the American #tree #nursery industry has the ability to expand to meet future afforestation, reforestation, and revegetation (ARR) goals, and we supply our tree nursery #database to the public...listing locations, size, and types (nut, fruit, timber) of nursery enterprises across the country. ➡ Report: https://lnkd.in/eRF2H4fm #treenurseries #impactinvesting #regenerativeagriculture #ARR #timber #reforestation #trees #climate #carbon #naturebasedsolutions #NBS

Alley Cropping is an agricultural system where rows of trees (or bushes) are planted in fields of crops or grassland. It's a great way to protect the land against wind erosion, create habitat, promote biodiversity and reduce nitrate leaching. In the midst of this heatwave, having a few more trees around sounds like a good idea..... #organicfarming #soilhealth #sustainability #nature #farming #trees https://lnkd.in/g8-YQJwC

Agroforestry: Integrating Trees and Crops for Mutual Benefit. Agroforestry is a land management system that combines trees and shrubs with crops or livestock. This integration creates a symbiotic environment where each component supports the others, leading to numerous ecological and economic benefits. 1. Soil Health: Trees in agroforestry systems help prevent soil erosion, improve water retention, and enhance nutrient cycling. Their roots stabilize the soil, while leaf litter adds organic matter, enriching the soil with essential nutrients. 2.Biodiversity: Agroforestry promotes biodiversity by providing diverse habitats for various plant and animal species. This diversity helps create a balanced ecosystem, reducing the prevalence of pests and diseases. 3.Carbon Sequestration: Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in their biomass and soil. Agroforestry systems can sequester significant amounts of carbon, helping to mitigate climate change.

CLIMATE SMART AGROFORESTRY Climate-smart agroforestry (CSA) integrates trees into agricultural landscapes to enhance resilience to climate change, improve food security, and provide ecological benefits. Here are some key aspects and recent developments: 1. Integration with Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA): Agroforestry practices align with the principles of CSA by sequestering carbon, enhancing biodiversity, improving water management, and boosting soil fertility. Techniques like alley cropping, silvopasture, and riparian buffers help in adapting to and mitigating climate change impacts. 2. Carbon Sequestration: Agroforestry systems play a significant role in sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide. The integration of trees and shrubs with crops and livestock systems captures carbon in biomass and soil, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts. 3. Resilience and Adaptation: CSA helps communities adapt to climate variability by diversifying income sources, improving crop yields, and stabilizing ecosystems. Agroforestry practices like using drought-resistant tree species and improving soil health with organic matter increase resilience to extreme weather events. 4. Socio-Economic Benefits: By integrating trees into farming systems, CSA enhances livelihoods through the production of timber, fruits, nuts, and other tree products. Projects like SmAT-Scaling in Mali focus on building value chains for tree-based products, which improves market access and food security for rural communities. 5. Policy and Institutional Support: Effective implementation of CSA requires supportive policies and institutional frameworks. Initiatives such as the UK's woodland management improvements provide financial incentives and technical support to farmers adopting agroforestry practices. Climate-smart agroforestry is a promising approach to sustainable agriculture, offering a holistic solution to environmental, economic, and social challenges posed by climate change. Read more on: https://lnkd.in/diGxxAHv https://lnkd.in/dUpB_zdV https://lnkd.in/d4V3RC5W https://lnkd.in/d4V3RC5W https://lnkd.in/dXaPyBqB #EconomicSustainability #Agroforestry #ClimateSmartAgriculture #SustainableFarming #Sustainability

As advocates for sustainable development, we understand the pivotal role of agroforestry in combating climate change. Agroforestry, the integration of trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes, not only enhances biodiversity and soil health but also holds immense potential for carbon sequestration. However, despite its promise, carbon developers in this field are encountering significant hurdles in raising early-stage financing for agroforestry-based carbon projects: Complexity of Measurement: Agroforestry projects pose unique challenges in accurately quantifying carbon sequestration. Unlike traditional forestry projects, the dynamic nature of agroforestry systems requires sophisticated measurement techniques, adding complexity and uncertainty to carbon accounting Long-term Returns: While agroforestry offers substantial environmental benefits, the financial returns are often realized over the long term. This prolonged investment horizon deters potential investors seeking quicker returns on their capital, especially traditional funds Market Immaturity: Despite growing awareness of carbon offsetting, the market for agroforestry-based carbon credits is still in its infancy. The lack of standardized protocols and established marketplaces complicates the valuation and trading of carbon credits from agroforestry projects. You have agroforestry projects selling for a wide range of prices from USD 6 to 50 per credit which creates uncertainty in the market with regards to quality vs price comparison Risk Perception: Investors perceive agroforestry projects as riskier compared to more conventional investment opportunities due to uncertainties associated with land tenure, regulatory frameworks, and market demand for carbon credits. Establishing transparent and standardized methodologies for valuing carbon credits derived from agroforestry projects is crucial for ensuring fair pricing that reflects the true costs and benefits of carbon sequestration. Registries including #Verra, #GoldStandard, #PlanVivo and others can to do more to ensure global standardization of carbon prices and lets hope it comes to that

Agroforestry Partners (AP) is pleased to announce an investment from Builders Vision, an impact platform that supports people and organizations building a more humane and healthy planet through philanthropy, investment, and advocacy. The investment was made through Builders Bridge, which fuels an investment portfolio at Builders Vision that focuses on catalyzing capital and scaling market solutions into essential, underserved opportunities in oceans, energy, and food & agriculture. AP is an alternative investment fund implementing agroforestry practices on American farms in the pursuit of economic and nature-based returns. Agroforestry practices include the alleycropping of traditional annual crops between perennial trees, silvopasture, riparian forest buffers, forest farming, and windbreaks. The fund is currently piloting chestnut and hay alleycropping investments in Kentucky and Ohio, while preparing for expansion into new geographic hubs in the eastern United States (e.g., the Northeast and Southeast). For the fund's initial phase, AP will expand production of domestic chestnuts by 3,500 acres, offsetting the 7.5 million pounds of imported nuts that are consumed in the U.S. annually. Since chestnuts are one of the few nuts that have both a carbon negative and water positive environmental impact, AP will continue to lead with its regenerative agriculture strategy. The investment from Builders Bridge has allowed AP to go beyond the pilot phase in Kentucky/Ohio and formalize its initial 3,500 acres in this region, while also laying the groundwork for geographic expansion.     "Builders Vision is thrilled to support Agroforestry Partners, as the fund's objectives are closely aligned with our mission around climate resilience and food security. Agroforestry is an important component of regenerative agriculture, but it is an entirely new asset class that needs to be proven out. We believe that AP is well positioned to scale its model and demonstrate agroforestry's role in rehabilitating soil, improving water quality and biodiversity, and increasing farm returns and farmer wealth. We are excited to see how the fund catalyzes other agroforestry projects around the country and ultimately incentivizes other investors to participate." -- Ellie Barker, Investments, Builders Initiative Learn more about Agroforestry Partners here: https://lnkd.in/gQf5s4VP. #impactinvesting, #realassets, #agroforestry, #regenerativeagriculture, #chestnuts, #alleycropping, #foodnutrition, #climate, #trees, #perennials

Do you know that not all trees are suitable for Agroforestry?🤔 📌In agroforestry, the selection of trees is crucial to the success of the system. Not all trees are suitable for agroforestry because some may compete too strongly with crops for nutrients, water, or sunlight, while others such as Neem may have allelopathic effects, releasing chemicals that inhibit the growth of neighbouring plants. 📍In agroforestry, trees are chosen based on various factors such as their root systems, canopy structure, nutrient requirements, and compatibility with the crops being grown. Trees that provide multiple benefits, such as nitrogen fixation, shade, wind protection, or habitat for beneficial insects, are often preferred. 📌Additionally, trees with deep taproots can help bring up nutrients from deeper soil layers, benefiting both the trees and the crops. 📍So, careful selection of tree species is essential in agroforestry to ensure harmonious coexistence and mutual benefits between trees and crops. 🤔Are you planning an Agroforestry project? You need expert guidance for success and I'm a DM away from partnering, collaborating and helping you. 📍Did you know before now that not all trees are compatible with agroforestry? 📍Do you find the above information helpful? Like, comment & repost because one of your connections might need this information #Softlifefarmer #Agroforestry #Agribusiness #SustainableAgriculture #FarmersForTheFuture #Agroecology #TreeCropIntegration #SustainableFarming #ClimateSmartAgriculture #Biodiversity #SoilHealth #RuralDevelopment #Thoughtleader

Agroforestry offers farmers a unique way to boost profits while building climate resilience. 🌾 Our step-by-step guide provides 10 practical tips for creating a successful agroforestry system—from choosing the best tree-crop combinations to leveraging market opportunities. 🌳 Start building a sustainable future for your farm today: https://lnkd.in/ePU_WV6g #AgroforestrySuccess #Sustainability #FarmingInnovation"

❓ 𝐈𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞? Agroforestry integrates trees, shrubs, and crops or livestock on the same land. This combined approach offers several benefits over traditional monoculture farming. 🌳 Trees act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere and storing it in their biomass. Additionally, agroforestry practices promote healthier soil, improve biodiversity, and provide farmers with diversified income sources. 🌲 𝐓𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 The five main categories of agroforestry systems include: 🔹 Alley Cropping: Planting crops between rows of maturing trees for income diversification. 🔹 Forest Farming: Growing crops for food, medicine, or decoration beneath a managed forest canopy. 🔹 Silvopasture: Combining trees with livestock and forage on the same land, offering shade and shelter for animals. 🔹 Riparian Forest Buffers: Establishing natural buffers of trees, shrubs, and grasses along waterways to filter runoff and prevent erosion. 🔹 Windbreaks: Planting trees to shield crops, animals, and buildings from wind, snow, dust, and odors. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞? 🔸 Mitigation: Trees in agroforestry systems act as carbon sinks, removing significant amounts of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. This helps combat global warming by reducing overall CO2 levels. 🔸 Adaptation: Agroforestry practices improve soil health and biodiversity, making farms more resilient to extreme weather events like droughts and floods, which are becoming more common due to climate change. While agroforestry holds immense promise, there are challenges to wider adoption, such as initial investment, access to education and resources to implement the system and policy support. ➡️ By addressing these challenges and promoting the widespread adoption of agroforestry, we can unlock its potential as a powerful tool to mitigate climate change and create a more sustainable future for agriculture. ❓So, what do you think? Is agroforestry one of the potential keys to climate change? Share your thoughts and insights in the comments. #agroforestry #climatesolution #regenerativeag #scicomm #plantscience #fightclimatechange #sustainableag #futureoffood #agriculture #soilhealth #biodiversity #farms #forests #carbon #sciencecommunication #climateaction #farmingmethod

Yes you are right that not every tree is good for agroforestry, but any forester knows this as you mentioned agroforestry is an integration of crops and trees. though some trees that are nitrogen fixer sometimes they tend to dominate the area, taking an example of Leucaena leucocephala, this tree is good for agroforestry, but they tend to "invade" the area as when seeds falls down they germinate quickly an within a short time all the area will be covered with leucaena leucocephala Have you heard anything about agrosilvi-pasture?