Farm Forestry: A quick fact-finder for tertiary students

This information has been produced by the Department of Primary Industries to raise awareness of farm forestry and its benefits amongst tertiary students like you. It is hoped that in the future you may consider farm forestry as an option in your professional pursuits.

Farm forestry is productive tree growing on farms, usually by individual landholders.

So why are more and more people practising farm forestry?

Farm forestry can deliver a wide range of benefits, including:

• timber for furniture, construction, firewood and paper
• reduced salinity, waterlogging and erosion
• shade and shelter for stock and crops
• increased biodiversity by creating and enhancing wildlife habitat
• production of fodder, honey and other products
• diversification of farm income and longer term income for retirement
• improved landscape aesthetics

Because of these benefits:

• farmers see farm forestry as a way to achieve sustainable land management,
• environmental groups see it as a way to reduce harvesting from native forests,
• the timber industry see farm forestry as a way to increase their resource, and
• government see it as a way to improve catchment land and water quality, as well as reduce
  greenhouse emissions.

How might it apply to the things I am studying?

The courses you are undertaking have strong links to the benefits and products farm forestry can deliver. When you are qualified in your field, productive tree growing may be something you might consider undertaking yourself, or advising others to do.

Getting more Information

Where can I find out more about farm forestry?

When you are looking for more information you will encounter terms such as private forestry and agroforestry which are closely linked and often interchangeable with farm forestry; private forestry being commercial tree growing on all types and scales of private land and agroforestry where trees and agriculture are closely integrated.

There are contact people in the Department of Primary Industries and farm forestry networks in all regions of Victoria. You can find these contacts at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/privateforestry and www.farmforestline.com.au.

There is also a lot of material you can source to learn more at your own pace.

The following web sites are great places to start. Have a browse and you will start to see how the varied benefits of farm forestry may one day be relevant to you.

• The Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment website incorporates a large section on forestry with useful links and online resources. Go to www.dpi.vic.gov.au/privateforestry. This site also contains a Private Forestry Events Calendar showing you whats happening in your region.
• The Federal Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: has lots of information on forestry, with many relevant links. www.affa.gov.au
• Environment Australias website contains information on the role of farm forestry in the environmental and revegetation areas. www.deh.gov.au
• Australian Forest Growers has a good range of links to other farm forestry areas. www.afg.asn.au
• A very useful searchable catalogue covering farm forestry information and links can be found at the Farm Forest Line. www.farmforestline.com.au
• The Master Tree Growers site contains a great glossary of farm forestry terms so you can understand the talk. www.mtg.unimelb.edu.au
• The National Association of Forest Industries site is useful for finding out information on the various products which can come out of various forest systems. www.nafi.com.au
• The Wilderness Society website has information on the link between forestry activities and conservation. www.wilderness.org.au

What about Publications?

The Private Forestry Unit produces a series of free and easy to read farm forestry notes which are available. Also available are selected Landcare Notes which you may find useful.

The following resources are available via the DPI/DSE Custome  Service Centre Phone: 136 186 Email: customer.service@dpi.vic.gov.au

• Producing Timber from Farms: Video and pamphlet with instructive information on planning, establishing, managing and harvesting timber on farms.
• Agroforestry News : A quarterly magazine with articles focussing on revegetation and management of forestry on private land for a range of benefits including conservation, shelter and production. The Customer Service Centre can give directions to local farm forestry networks in order to join mailing lists and receive the magazine.
• Private Forestry: Investing in Victoria: A brochure describing Victoria's forestry industry, its potential land base, regional factors, tree growing options, local and global market trends, finance and Government support.
• Forestry Rights and Carbon Sequestration Rights: A brochure describing both forestry and carbon rights, including frequently asked questions.