There is growing interest in modern agroforestry systems as a response to climate change and for other benefits such as food security, farm diversification, increased income, risk management, and soil and water conservation. The value of agroforestry systems in addressing these priorities has been established by several decades of research worldwide. Producers are now increasingly asking how to begin the process of establishing agroforestry systems. This project addresses that question by providing training in the agroforestry design process. 

Re-establishing productive agroforests that also can repair soil damage and be profitable for growers requires careful planning. This project includes training in design of agroforests that regenerate productivity, while building soil and serving other essential ecological functions.  

This project is supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2015-38640-23779 through the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number EW16-008. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Agroforestry Net is a primary project collaborator.

Agroforestry Design Manual

edited by Craig R. Elevitch

with Neil Logan, Sopha J. Bowart, and J. B. Friday

This project is producing a unique manual to guide growers in designing a multistory agroforestry system tailored to their goals and environment. Agroforestry Design for Regenerative Production is geared toward profitable agroforestry that creates regenerative outcomes: building soil, retaining and percolating water, enhancing biodiversity, strengthening resiliency, and storing carbon. Species lists, examples, and design worksheets allow the user to use the book as a design workbook for their project. The book guides the user through six major steps of the design process:

• Goals, skills, and site assessments [download chapter pdf]
• Planting configuration 
• Species selection 
• Implementation, Management, and Scheduling 
• Economic analysis [download chapter pdf]

Additionally, Agroforestry Design for Regenerative Production gives the reader the background information needed to optimize their agroforestry design in two additonal chapters:

• Introduction to regenerative agroforestry
• Managing tree-crop competition [download chapter pdf]

Agroforestry Design Workshops 2019

Designing and growing an agroforest: Creating regenerative and profitable landscapes

Guam: Nov. 12–13 Information and registration
Saipan: Nov. 15–16 Email for information
Pohnpei: Nov. 21–22 Email for information
Marshall Islands: Nov. 26–27 Email for information
Oahu, Hawaii: Dec. 11–12 Information and registration
Kauai, Hawaii: Dec. 14–15 Information and registration

Workshop participants will learn about planning, establishing, and managing an agroforest step-by-step using a new workbook.

Workshop participants will learn the latest strategies for reaching their goals in agroforestry. Hands-on activities during the workshop will give participants experience in the planning process from open land to managing an agroforest at any scale. 

Participants will:

• Gain experience planning an agroforest from scratch
• Learn how to customize an agroforest to the site and production/conservation goals
• Discover and apply fundamental design principles
• Develop a project budget and management plan 
• Learn about resources and tools for successful outcomes
• Gain field experience
• Receive an agroforestry planning workbook

The workshop series will be presented November-December 2019 in Guam, Saipan, Pohnpei, Marshall Islands, and Hawaii by a team of experienced professionals. Presenters will share their unique set of skills and knowledge in traditional agroforestry, ethnobotany, systems engineering, organic agriculture, and economic analysis acquired over decades of study and field experience. 

Workshop presenters

Workshop sponsors

The "Designing and growing an agroforest: Creating regenerative and profitable landscapes" workshops are presented by Permanent Agriculture Resources with support from Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program, Agroforestry Net, FARM Center, Hawaii Homegrown Food Network, Olohana Foundation, and the Global Biodiversity Heritage Council. Generous support from local partners is gratefully acknowledged: University of Guam Western Pacific Tropical Research Center; The Pacific Farmers Together Cooperative; Pacific Islands SBDC Network; Northern Marianas College Cooperative Research, Extension, and Education Services; College of Micronesia-FSM/CTEC; RMI Ministry of Natural Resources & Commerce; College of the Marshall Islands; Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Program at UH CTAHR; Regenerations Botanical Garden; and the Kauaʻi Food Forest. 

Contact information

Maui workshop June 12-13, 2015

"Creative agroforestry for food production in home, farm, and community landscapes"

The art of agroforestry is experiencing a renaissance in Hawai‘i due to our newfound passion for eating local food that is grown sustainably. Drawing upon the long traditions of agroforestry in the Pacific, a new workshop, “Creative Agroforestry for Food Production in Home, Farm, and Community Landscapes” will be presented on Maui June 12-13 (also Kona June 20-21 and O’ahu June 27-28). The workshop brings together agroforestry expertise from around Hawai‘i to offer participants an introduction to best practices in agroforestry or enhance their skills in establishing and maintaining a custom-designed agroforestry landscape. 

Dr. Harley Manner, a pioneer of agroforestry science in the Pacific Islands, will summarize his 40 years of experience of sustainable agricultural systems in the Pacific. Craig Elevitch of Agroforestry Net will present Pacific Island agroforestry landscapes as models for abundant, low-input food systems. Seth Raabe of Mahele Farm will discuss his experiences utilizing disturbance and local resources in tropical agroforestry. Natural methods for establishing and maintaining food-producing agroforestry landscapes will be presented by Tom Baldwin. How risks of pests and diseases can be reduced in diverse agricultural systems will be presented by Dr. Hector Valenzuela of UH Manoa. Dr. Amjad Ahmad, also from UH Manoa, will present recent research about how locally available materials can enhance soil function, thereby replacing imported soil inputs. Finally, Ranae Ganske-Cerizo of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will explain federal assistance programs that can be used in association with planning and implementing agroforestry systems. 

Field tours on the second day of the workshop will highlight production agroforestry on a working farm, pioneering and succession strategies, a diverse fruit orchard, and agroforestry regeneration of degraded land. The workshop is recommended for landscapers, nursery growers, agricultural professionals, farmers, ranchers, homeowners, agricultural extension, community planners, and community development organizers. The workshop is sponsored by Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education and organized by Sustainable Living Institute of Maui in collaboration with Hawaii Homegrown Food Network. 

Recommended participants: Everyone interested in sustainable food-producing landscapes: Farmers, ranchers, and homeowners, landscapers, agricultural professionals, agricultural extension, community planners, and everyone working with agriculture, urban beautification, conservation, and human nutrition.

Registration: Early registration is $75 by Saturday, June 6, and $100 thereafter. Please register early, as space is limited.

A local vegetarian lunch will be provided on Friday, June 12. Participants will receive a copy of the new 320-page book Agroforestry Landscapes for Pacific Islands: Creating abundant and resilient food systems by Craig Elevitch (a $60 value).

Register for the workshop through EventBrite. 

REGISTER for the MAUI workshop 

MAUI workshop agenda (subject to adjustments)

Sponsors

The workshops are presented by Hawai‘i Homegrown Food Network and Agroforestry Net with sponsorship of the USDA Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program in collaboration with Sustainable Living Institute of Maui and Maui Community College. 

The 2-day "Creative Agroforestry for Home, Farm, and Community Landscapes" workshop was held at Anaina Hou Community Park on April 25-26, 2015. Fifty-five participants attended the lively workshop, which consisted of a series of presentations by eight presenters, followed by a day of field tours of agroforestry sites in the Kilauea area. Participants included landscapers, agricultural professionals, agricultural extension, community planners, farmers, ranchers, and homeowners.

The workshop began by honoring the wisdom and traditions of native Hawaiians, as expressed through agroforestry practices and ecological stewardship. The Hawaiian experience was placed within the larger context of Pacific islander agroforestry, each culture with its distinctive mix of species, yet repeating a consistent theme. Principles of integrated pest management and its application in agroforestry systems was explored. The University of Hawai’i’s ongoing research into cost-effective organic soil amendments with recommendations on their use was also covered. A primer was offered on proper planting, establishment, and pruning of fruit trees. Livestock can be a valuable addition to agroforestry systems, and some of the most popular choices for Hawai'i were presented. How we plan for, implement, and perpetuate agroforestry landscapes in private and public spaces is essential to their success, and example stories and suggestions were given. Discussion circles, led by the workshop presenters, allowed participants to explore their area of interest further. Visits to three contrasting field sites revealed the challenges and opportunities inherent to working agroforestry systems.

publication about food-producing landscapes: AGROFORESTRY LANDSCAPES FOR PACIFIC ISLANDS

This publication focuses on low-input, self-sufficient, and sustainable techniques for growing food in the Pacific. The chapters cover a range of time-tested traditional agroforestry systems, modern agroforestry systems, local sources of soil fertility, pest and disease control, livestock, and getting started with planning and implementation. 

Download the chapters below or purchase the book Agroforestry Landscapes for Pacific Islands at Amazon.com. 

Sustainable Traditional Agricultural Systems of the Pacific Islands by Harley I. Manner. Covers key patterns in traditional Pacific agroforestry systems and presents example agroforestry systems that could be adapted in modern day.	Enhancing Soil Function and Plant Health with Locally Available Resources by Ted Radovich, Archana Pant, Amjad Ahmad, Craig Elevitch, and Nguyen Hue. Focuses on the use of locally available resources to enhance soil function and plant health in the short and long term. The emphasis is on a description of the inputs, pros and cons of use, specific conditions in Hawai‘i and recommendations for food producers.
Pest and Disease Control Strategies for Sustainable Pacific Agroecosystems by Hector Valenzuela. Covers recommended production practices that may be used in agroforestry systems of the Pacific and tropical regions to create resilient production systems and enhance and protect the natural resources on the farm.	Small-scale Livestock Production in Agroforestry Landscapes by Glen Fukumoto. Covers integration of livestock into Pacific Island environments, including local fodder and sustainable waste management.
Grower’s Guide to Pacific Island Agroforestry Systems: Information Resources, and Public Assistance Programs by Craig Elevitch, Garien Behling, Michael Constantinides, and James B. Friday. Describes ten of the most important agroforestry systems of the Pacific Islands and associated practices supported by technical and financial assistance programs through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and other state and federal programs. Includes a resources section (technical guides, periodicals, organizations, and species information).	Getting Started with Food-producing Agroforestry Landscapes in the Pacific by Craig Elevitch. Introduces Pacific agroforestry systems in general, and presents the benefits of these systems compared with monocultures and ornamental landscapes. Covers water issues, soil fertility, selecting an agroforestry system, establishment, maintenance, species selection, crops and example systems, and recommended resources.
"Benefits of perennial edible landscapes: A primer for agricultural professionals" How can we address common obstacles to home grown food? What are the benefits of food-producing perennial landscapes? How can people grow food in their home landscapes without increasing their costs? This primer addresses these questions and offers guidance for promoting food-producing landscapes.	"Food-producing agroforestry landscapes for Pacific Islands: A policy brief" summarizes the main conclusions of this project for policy makers.

AGROFORESTRY FOR FOOD SECURITY AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS

There is a growing movement towards the use of perennial food plants in private and public landscapes. This project took place 2011-2015, bringing together expertise from throughout Hawai'i to train professionals in food-producing agroforestry landscapes.

The project resulted in a book that is available for free download (see below). Also, five workshops took place throughout Hawai'i during the first half of 2015 and many of the presentations and some photos are available for download. 

PROJECT SPONSORS

This project is a collaboration of Agroforestry Net and Hawai‘i Homegrown Food Network with sponsorship of the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program.

Workshops

Creative agroforestry for food production in home, farm, and community landscapes

Agroforestry landscapes are models of productive, low input systems that have sustained people for centuries in Hawai'i. Farmers, homeowners, and communities are rediscovering the many benefits of agroforestry. This workshop gave participants an introduction to best practices in establishing and maintaining a working agroforestry landscape tailored to their needs. Presentations combined traditional, modern, and local knowledge to enable participants to get started on their own systems, avoiding pitfalls. The workshops took place in 2015 on Moloka'i (March 21), Kaua'i (April 25-26), Maui (June 12-13), Kona (June 20-21), and O’ahu (June 27-28). Over 240 attendees and 30 presenters participated in the five workshops. A selection of workshop photos and presentations is below.

Topics included:

• Important Pacific island crops and agroforestry practices
• Enhancing soil function using locally available resources
• Pest and disease prevention strategies
• Food forestry for home and commercial use
• Advice and techniques for landscapers
• Hawaiian cultural perspective on Pacific Island agroforestry 
• Strategies for converting to agroforestry systems
• USDA NRCS assistance programs that support agroforestry practices
• Integrating livestock and poultry
• Local experiences in agroforestry system implementation

Workshop presentations

Workshop sponsors

The "Creative agroforestry for food production in home, farm, and community landscapes" workshops were presented as a collaboration of Agroforestry Net and Hawai‘i Homegrown Food Network with sponsorship of the USDA Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program in collaboration with local partners.

Contact information