Publications

This publication—a revision of a 2008 General Technical Report—updates design guidelines for vegetative buffers that can help land managers enhance production and environmental benefits on their lands, build climate resilience, and enhance rural prosperity and food security. It includes over 80 illustrated design guidelines that were developed from a review of more than 1,900 research publications.

The success of agroforestry practices depends in part on the quality, productivity, and availability of plants. This Agroforestry Note provides information on different types of agroforestry plant materials, nursery practices, and horticultural terminology. It is intended to assist natural resource professionals and agricultural advisors who work with farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, and nurseries.

Demonstration sites showcase examples of agroforestry in practice and serve as educational resources for many audiences. Activities offered by demonstration sites enhance public awareness of agroforestry, as well as foster opportunities for research and promote the adoption of agroforestry practices. This Agroforestry Note provides information relevant to natural resource professionals and technical assistance providers working to establish, manage, or support an agroforestry demonstration site.

Direct marketing is a process through which producers sell products and experiences directly to consumers, e.g., through farm stands, farmers markets, “pick-your-own" and agritourism experiences, on-farm stands/stores, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), and internet sales. This Agroforestry Note is intended to assist natural resource professionals in their work with agroforestry producers interested in developing marketing plans.

The ecosystem services people associate with forests can be economic, environmental, social, or spiritual. Factors including regions, demographics, and changing environmental attitudes may influence the different ecosystem services that forests support. This indicator report, tiered to the 2030 National Report on Sustainable Forests, provides insight into the importance of forests to private woodland owners and visitors to national forests.

Investment in the forest sector, both in long-term capital projects and annual operating costs, is essential to sustain and improve the many ecosystem services that are derived from forests. The evaluation of capital investment indicators provides insights into the long-term and yearly expenses aimed at improving forest management, forest-related businesses, and the skills and knowledge of those working in the forest industry. This indicator report, tiered to the 2030 National Report on Sustainable Forests, highlights changes since reference year 2012.

Tree Planters' Notes celebrates its 75th anniversary with some retrospectives from retired Forest Service nursery specialists. It also includes articles on restoring landscapes for private landowners through partnerships, how trees in the Pacific Northwest respond to different stock type sizes, creating an in-school nursery program for technical education, using social media to generate interest in planting and nurseries, and a simple strategy to protect seedlings from inclement weather.

Exported nonwood forest products (NWFPs) can support the local and national economy, while imported NWFPs can supplement the domestic supply. The trade of NWFPs can demonstrate their cultural and social importance. This indicator report, tiered to the 2030 National Report on Sustainable Forests, describes values of selected NWFPs based on 2010 and 2023 analyses.

People can attribute meaning to natural phenomena of forests but can also be connected to forests via cultural knowledge, shared experiences, or worldviews. This indicator report, tiered to the 2030 National Report on Sustainable Forests, focuses on identifying forests in the United States that are protected, and thus capable of fulfilling social, cultural, or spiritual needs.

A collaborative research team cataloged each preferential property tax program for agriculture, horticulture, and forestry in the Nation and assessed the programs' attributes to determine their compatibility with characteristics of agroforestry practices. Findings in this report can be used to inform natural resource management and discussions on tax incentives for agroforestry.

This Agroforestry Note, a revision of a 1997 publication, integrates new science and best practices for silvopasture—a type of agroforestry system in which trees and shrubs are intentionally integrated with forages and livestock on the same unit of land. The information in this publication can support natural resource professionals working with farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in silvopasture systems to help them achieve multiple ecological, social, and production benefits.

The goal of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Cave and Karst Program is to protect and maintain the biologic, geologic, mineralogic, paleontologic, hydrologic, cultural, educational, scientific, and recreational values of… Topic: Natural Resources and Conservation
Type: Brochure
Number: FS-1080
Year: 2017

This Agroforestry Note provides technical assistance information to those implementing forest farming—a system of managing stands of trees or shrubs along with understory plants or nontimber forest products (NTFPs). The information focuses on the production and management of herbaceous, understory NTFPs and is an update to a shorter document published in 1999.

This Agroforestry Note provides technical assistance information for implementing silvopasture—the practice of managing desired woody perennials, forages, and livestock on the same unit of land—in vineyard systems. The information focuses on considerations for planning and design (including infrastructure and selection of livestock and forage), successful establishment and management, and the benefits and challenges of such a silvopasture system.

This Agroforestry Note provides technical assistance information for using windbreaks (rows of trees and/or shrubs used for slowing wind) and hedgerows (dense groupings of trees, shrubs, and other plants for a natural resource conservation purpose) in vineyard systems. The information focuses on considerations for planning and design, benefits, and successful establishment and management.