The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has begun its first national agroforestry survey.
Data collection for the survey began Feb. 1 and will conclude April 5. Upon its completion, the survey will be sent to 11,100 farmers and ranchers in order to gather information on the various agroforestry practices used for climate, conservation and production benefits, including windbreaks, silvopasture, riparian forest buffers, alley cropping, forest farming and multi-story cropping, according to a Jan. 26 news release from the U.S. Forest Service.
“For the first time ever, ag producers have the opportunity to share the dynamic ways they manage valuable agroforestry resources,” Joe Parsons, NASS agricultural statistics board chair, said in the news release. “The results of this survey could catalyze important change by helping policymakers and farm groups more fully understand and support this aspect of agriculture in the 21st century. The data will inform programs and policy to benefit both the landowners and farmers, as well as the environment.”
The survey is a cooperative effort with the National Agroforestry Center - a partnership of the Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The NAC plans to gather and release the data in studies, news releases and other publications after it is completed. The releases will give an overview of how agroforestry practices are used in regions across the U.S.
“Information shared directly from farmers and ranchers really is one of the best ways to learn what works and what doesn’t in agroforestry," said Matthew Smith, NAC research program lead, in the news release. "We will use the data to discover the most effective, efficient and profitable ways climate-smart agroforestry practices are used and share what we learn in a series of research reports to benefit U.S. farmers and ranchers.”
Producers can respond to the survey securely online at agcounts.usda.gov or by mail, according to the news release. Responses will be kept confidential.
