The annual meeting is an important opportunity for CSTAF researchers and staff to receive feedback from council members.

Greg Ruark, director of USDA’s National Agroforestry Center (NAC) and chairman of CSTAF’s Advisory Council, provided that feedback. His report gave high marks to CSTAF for its progress during the first year and suggested future research topics and organizational improvements.

The report supported CSTAF’s organic agriculture research as well as research on goat production. It suggested that other areas could be useful, including organic inputs and pest management. Agroforestry also could be useful in dealing with animal waste. Silvopastures could be used as fire breaks, and agroforestry practices could be useful in industrial forest plantations. Citrus and medicinal plants have potential in agroforestry.

The report recommended more coordination among research and extension in agroforestry agencies. The NAC offered to publish CSTAF extension materials to avoid duplication.

Other recommendations included:

• scheduling tours for state and federal representatives to increase awareness of products and the potential for agroforestry systems; scheduling a U.S. Department of Agriculture presentation in Washington, D.C.; and