What is agroforestry?

Agroforestry is a land use management system in which trees, hedgerows or shrubs are grown around or among crops or pastureland. Agroforestry production systems can deliver a wide range of products and goods including important ecosystem services, and they are of particular interest for organic and low-input farmers.

Livestock and trees

Livestock production and trees can be combined in a so-called Silvopastoral system which offers two benefits to the animals:

• Enhanced animal welfare due to shade and shelter from the trees
• Alternative feed resources from tree fodder

Read more:
SOLID Technical Note: Agroforestry for livesstock systems 
Jo Smith, Organic Research Center, UK:
Agroforestry: Integrated livestock and trees

 Goods delivered by agroforestry systems (examples)

• Agricultural products
• Fodder and forage
• Biofuels
• Fiber
• Timber

Ecosystems services delivered by agroforestry systems

• Soil and water protection
• Biodiversity
• Climate change mitigation