Mission Philosophy Goals Objectives Key Accomplishments Technology Transfer Partnerships Director's Message

The University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry (UMCA), established in 1998, is one of the world's leading centers contributing to the science underlying agroforestry. Interdisciplinary collaboration is one of the outstanding hallmarks of the Center. Research on the benefits of agroforestry is supported from a broad spectrum of disciplines: forestry, fisheries and wildlife, entomology, plant pathology, agronomy, animal science, horticulture, soils, atmospheric science, agricultural economics and rural sociology. Linked with the Center's solid science and research programs are several key collaborations and partnerships with landowners, natural resource professionals, federal and state agencies and non-profit organizations. Through these critical relationships, UMCA and its partners are producing an expanding list of positive outcomes for landowners, the natural environment and society as a whole.

Message from the Director

Mission

To support the long-term future of the family farm and play a part in the revitalization of rural America. The Center’s long-term research and technology transfer efforts focus on two major themes: 1) Providing scientific evidence that documents many of the environmental benefits of agroforestry practices (e.g., improving soil, water and air quality); and 2) Demonstrating the viability of niche crop production to augment the economic opportunities on the family farm.

Air and Water Quality
Across the nation, commercial agriculture is under pressure to mitigate the environmental impacts from farming (i.e., livestock and crop production). The MU Center for Agroforestry is a national leader in the development of vegetative environmental buffer technologies to reduce nonpoint source pollution (e.g., atrazine, veterinary antibiotics, sediment, nitrogen, phosphorus, etc.). Direct impacts from the application of our research includes addressing the issues of surface and ground water quality (e.g., hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico; drinking water quality, etc.) and air quality in association with commercial agriculture (e.g., confined animal feeding operations).

Rural Development/Alternatives for the Family Farm
The MU Center for Agroforestry is a national leader in development of specialty crops for alternative income sources on the family farm including northern pecan, black walnut, Chinese chestnut, elderberry, gourmet mushrooms, species for bioenergy production, etc.

UMCA Philosophy

"A farm can be regarded as a food factory and the criterion for its success is saleable products. Or, it can be regarded as a place to live, and the criterion for its success is harmonious balance between plants, animals and people; between the domestic and the wild; and between utility and beauty." - Aldo Leopold

Center for Agroforestry Goals:

To create new income opportunities and markets for farm and forest landowners

To protect the environment by reducing non-point source pollution

To create and improve natural habitats for wildlife

To mitigate against the impacts of periodic flooding in rural and urban areas

Objectives

• Conduct, coordinate and promote interactive research on agroforestry practices to improve the production and protection functions of agricultural and forest lands.
• Conduct, coordinate and promote interdisciplinary research on the social, economic and market dimensions of agroforestry.
• To conduct a technology transfer program that increases the awareness and adoption of agroforestry practices.
• Conduct, coordinate and promote interdisciplinary research on the policy dimensions of agroforestry.
• Provide formal educational opportunities in agroforestry through the University of Missouri
• Develop and carry out a collaborative international agroforestry program in the areas of instruction, research and outreach.

UMCA Key Accomplishments, 2007-2008:

• Found potential antibacterial and skin-cancer-fighting compounds in redcedar, a common, low-value Missouri tree.
• Began studies to determine if agroforestry buffers can stop or reduce contamination of water and soil by animal antibiotics.
• Planted trees and shrubs to gauge odor-blocking capabilities around large animal production facilities.
• Completed restoration on historic 1819 Hickman House, located on the Center’s Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center.
• Green Horizons, a newsletter jointly produced by the Center for Agroforestry and MU Forestry Extension, was named Top Newsletter for 2007 by the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals.
• Published updated shiitake mushroom growing guide featuring new UMCA research to aid growers, and new succession planning guide for educating forestland owners.
• Launched Web site to enable growers to compare nuts of black walnut cultivars side-by-side.
• Found evidence that potential biofuel crop sweet sorghum can be grown on flood-prone sites.
• Initiated long-term studies to see if dwarfing rootstocks are profitable for chestnut and black walnut growers.
• Found alleycropping has a positive effect on beneficial insect populations, regardless of crops or row sizes used.
• Began test marketing pawpaw, a native Missouri tree with potential as a specialty crop for the diverse family farm.
• UMCA researchers and collaborators published more than 100 articles in scientific journals and the popular press.