source: Farm and Food Report
Is there a possible marriage of interests between agriculture and forestry? Well, it seems that there is, according to the Saskatchewan Forest Centre’s (SFC) Joanne Kowalski.
“If you have a hog barn in your area, there is value in asking yourself if the effluent could be used for irrigation purposes or as fertilizer on a nearby tree plantation,” Kowalski says. “If you have a woodlot on your agricultural land, perhaps this production could be processed in a local sawmill and turned into value-added goods like furniture or flooring that could create new jobs and benefit the entire community.”
In essence, this is what the March 22 and 23 Agroforestry Conference in Regina seeks to address. The Saskatchewan Forest Centre — a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to grow a socially, ecologically and economically sustainable provincial forestry sector — favours a holistic approach to community economic development.
“We chose to hold the event in Regina to attract a variety of participants,” says Kowalski, “municipal, provincial and federal government employees, but also economic development officers, agricultural producers and representatives from organizations that may not be as familiar with opportunities in the forestry sector — and especially with the alliances and partnerships that can be struck between forestry, agriculture and value-added industries.”
The conference will look at how agroforestry systems can be integrated into future economic development for communities, and at the same time constitute appropriate responses to climate change.
Examples of what has been achieved in other jurisdictions will be featured through presentations by the likes of Dr. Theo Verwijst of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Upsala, Sweden.
Agricultural over-production in Europe has resulted in very large areas of farmland being no longer required for food crops. Modern poplar hybrids are very fast growing trees, highly suitable for ex-arable land. Poplar wood has many potential uses: fuel for heat or electricity, fibres for paper or fibreboard, pallets, food crates, and furniture veneers. Verwijst will explain how even the longest rotations are short, compared to those for other forest crops — increasing flexibility for integration into agricultural systems.
Kowalski and her team have arranged quite a line-up of international, national and local presenters, which includes Dr. Jud Isebrands of Environmental Forestry Consultants in New London, Wisconsin, who will elaborate on the U.S. experience. Angus Carr of the SFC and Jeff Thorpe of the Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative (PARC) will talk about agroforestry and climate change on the prairies, and Jack Klassen of the Carlton Trail Guest Ranch in Victoire will talk about ecotourism prospects from agroforestry.
“We have also invited Mike Carlson of the Kalamalka Research Station in Vernon to talk about the uses of lagoon waste water; Dave Dombowsky of Forintek Canada will give us the scoop on wood fibre products from agroforestry; and Sherry Michalyca of the Nipawin Ethanol Cooperative will share with participants what is happening in her sector. The sheer range of experiences and possibilities that will be discussed at one conference is unprecedented.”
The organizers are hoping that the conference will broaden everyone’s horizons as to the emerging potential and contributions of agroforestry, as a sector that is more accessible to agricultural producers and communities than they might initially believe.
The conference will be held at the Delta Hotel. Call (306) 765-2840 or e-mail info@saskforestcentre.ca to register.
For more information, contact:
Joanne Kowalski
Saskatchewan Forest Centre
(306) 765-2840
http://www.saskforestcentre.ca/
Is there a possible marriage of interests between agriculture and forestry? Well, it seems that there is, according to the Saskatchewan Forest Centre’s (SFC) Joanne Kowalski.
“If you have a hog barn in your area, there is value in asking yourself if the effluent could be used for irrigation purposes or as fertilizer on a nearby tree plantation,” Kowalski says. “If you have a woodlot on your agricultural land, perhaps this production could be processed in a local sawmill and turned into value-added goods like furniture or flooring that could create new jobs and benefit the entire community.”
In essence, this is what the March 22 and 23 Agroforestry Conference in Regina seeks to address. The Saskatchewan Forest Centre — a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to grow a socially, ecologically and economically sustainable provincial forestry sector — favours a holistic approach to community economic development.
“We chose to hold the event in Regina to attract a variety of participants,” says Kowalski, “municipal, provincial and federal government employees, but also economic development officers, agricultural producers and representatives from organizations that may not be as familiar with opportunities in the forestry sector — and especially with the alliances and partnerships that can be struck between forestry, agriculture and value-added industries.”
The conference will look at how agroforestry systems can be integrated into future economic development for communities, and at the same time constitute appropriate responses to climate change.
Examples of what has been achieved in other jurisdictions will be featured through presentations by the likes of Dr. Theo Verwijst of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Upsala, Sweden.
Agricultural over-production in Europe has resulted in very large areas of farmland being no longer required for food crops. Modern poplar hybrids are very fast growing trees, highly suitable for ex-arable land. Poplar wood has many potential uses: fuel for heat or electricity, fibres for paper or fibreboard, pallets, food crates, and furniture veneers. Verwijst will explain how even the longest rotations are short, compared to those for other forest crops — increasing flexibility for integration into agricultural systems.
Kowalski and her team have arranged quite a line-up of international, national and local presenters, which includes Dr. Jud Isebrands of Environmental Forestry Consultants in New London, Wisconsin, who will elaborate on the U.S. experience. Angus Carr of the SFC and Jeff Thorpe of the Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative (PARC) will talk about agroforestry and climate change on the prairies, and Jack Klassen of the Carlton Trail Guest Ranch in Victoire will talk about ecotourism prospects from agroforestry.
“We have also invited Mike Carlson of the Kalamalka Research Station in Vernon to talk about the uses of lagoon waste water; Dave Dombowsky of Forintek Canada will give us the scoop on wood fibre products from agroforestry; and Sherry Michalyca of the Nipawin Ethanol Cooperative will share with participants what is happening in her sector. The sheer range of experiences and possibilities that will be discussed at one conference is unprecedented.”
The organizers are hoping that the conference will broaden everyone’s horizons as to the emerging potential and contributions of agroforestry, as a sector that is more accessible to agricultural producers and communities than they might initially believe.
The conference will be held at the Delta Hotel. Call (306) 765-2840 or e-mail info@saskforestcentre.ca to register.
For more information, contact:
Joanne Kowalski
Saskatchewan Forest Centre
(306) 765-2840
http://www.saskforestcentre.ca/
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