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The Center for Subtropical Agroforestry
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Agroforestry in the Virgin Islands The
Center for Subtropical Agroforestry
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Survey Results are Foundation for Extension Program
Last year, CSTAF began working on surveys of professionals and landowners in the Southeast. The CSTAF extension component designed the surveys to assess agroforestry knowledge, practice, and information needs of professionals and landowners in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. The responses will be the foundation for CSTAF agroforestry extension materials and educational events. Extension and forestry professionals from coastal plain counties in the three states have been surveyed. Analysis of responses from professionals and Florida landowners is complete, and additional surveys and analysis for Alabama landowners are underway. Results will be shared with respondents. Many are interested in working with demonstrations and agroforestry practice groups. Survey questions for professionals focused on their knowledge of agroforestry, perceived benefits and constraints, and training materials. Landowners were queried about their attitudes toward using agroforestry systems, their knowledge and experience in using agroforestry techniques, and their interest in agroforestry extension programs.
Extension and forestry professionals from all three states ranked wildlife habitat and water quality as the most important benefits of agroforestry. Streamside management/woody riparian buffers were the practices most observed by these professionals. They considered lack of familiarity and demonstrations as most important constraints to implementing agroforestry. A lack of information and markets ranked as the next highest constraints. Florida landowners indicated that the most important benefits of agroforestry are diversified production, aesthetics, wildlife habitat and soil conservation. Many practice agroforestry. Forty eight percent had patio gardens; 46 percent used windbreaks; 27 percent used woody riparian buffers; and 26 percent had silvopastures. Landowners indicated that the greatest limitations to implementing agroforestry practices are potential competition among components, lack of information and markets, and management expertise. The landowners were concerned about time constraints and capital investment, the need for information, and the ability to evaluate agroforestry practices for their sites. More detailed information about these surveys will be posted on CSTAFs website, http://cstaf.ifas.ufl.edu/extension.htm when ready. |
