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Farm Forestry: Section 3 - What is Farm Forestry?

Farm forestry has emerged as a way for farmers to grow trees to meet a shortfall in global timber supplies. Farm forestry can also provide a range of other benefits to farmers and the community.

Statewide Activities

• Activity 3a: What is Farm Forestry?
  • Information sheet 3a: Farm forestry In Victoria
  • Worksheet 3a: Farm forestry
• Activity 3b: Where is Farm Forestry occurring in Victoria?
  • Resource sheet 3b: Priority maps for North Central catchment
• Activity 3c: Comparing Plantation and Forest grown timbers

Activity 3a: What is Farm Forestry?

Statewide Activities

Students investigate farm forestry and its benefits.

VEL Domains	CSF II Links for Geography
Geography English Interpersonal Development Civic Knowledge and Understanding Community Engagement Communication Thinking	5.1 Compare the characteristics of significant regions in Australia and the world. 5.2 Explain how natural processes and human activities change environments. 5.3 Explain how people's use of natural and human environments changes over time. 6.1 Explain the processes and interactions between people and major natural systems. 6.3 Predict the effects of resource development and use on a selected natural and human environment.
	VCE Adaptable
	Geography Environmental Science Outdoor and Environmental Studies Agricultural and Horticultural Studies

Materials

• Information sheet 3a: Farm forestry In Victoria
• Worksheet 3a: Farm forestry
• Full size Farm forestry posters (available in Loan Kit)

Classroom activities

1. Working in small groups students list some typical crops or products grown on Victorian farms. Compare the small group lists to create a class list. How many groups had included trees as a farm crop?
2. Distribute a copy of worksheet 3a to student teams. Assign different posters to different teams. Students identify features in the poster that you think show aspects of farm forestry:
   • farm products (crops and livestock)
   • farm forestry management activities
   • tree plantings for wood products
   • tree plantings for farm or environmental benefits
     
     Display the three full size farm forestry posters. As a class, compare the student teams' results for each poster.
3. Students read Information sheet 3a.
   1. In their own words, students write a definition of 'farm forestry', 'private forestry' and 'plantation forestry'. Discuss the definitions to make sure all students understand the terms.
      Farm forestry is the integration of productive tree growing into farms. For example, timber belts and woodlots.
      Agroforestry, for all intents and purposes, means the same as farm forestry but is now a less commonly used term.
      Plantation forestry usually refers to large scale monoculture plantations of Blue Gums (Eucalyptus globulus) or pines (Pinus radiata) which are managed by forestry companies.
      Private forestry is an all-encompassing term that refers to any forestry on private land managed by private landholders or companies. This includes farm forestry and plantation forestry.
   2. Students list reasons why a landowner may want to include farm forestry on his/her property, i.e. of what benefit could farm forestry be to a farm? Note some may fit more than one category. Wider benefits could there be to the catchment or region?
      Group them under the headings:
      

      Agricultural Benefits	Personal Benefits	Environmental Benefits	Benefits to Region

   3. List some typical products from tree crops.
   4. List some trees commonly grown for farm forestry in Victoria.
4. Work in small groups use Information sheet 3a and additional research to prepare a presentation on the roles and benefits of trees on farms. Each group takes a different focus:
   1. Agricultural benefits
   2. Personal benefits
   3. Environmental benefits or
   4. Benefits to region
   The presentation should explain how trees and farm forestry help achieve this benefit.
   Students could produce a collage of images to illustrate these benefits of farm forestry in Victoria, or prepare a Powerpoint document, or a poster.

Each group delivers their presentation to the class.

Further references

• AgNote: Farm forestry /agroforestry – what is it? (in Loan Kit)
• AgNote: Farm forestry: it's role in rural property management
• FarmForestLine
  farmforest.com.au > Topics > Why plant trees

Worksheet 3a: Farm Forestry

1. View one of the posters below.
   Identify features in the poster that you think show aspects of farm forestry:
   1. farm products (crops and livestock)
   2. farm forestry management activities
   3. tree plantings for products
   4. tree plantings for farm or environmental benefits
2. As a class, compare results for all three posters.

Information Sheet 3a: Farm Forestry in Victoria

Farm forestry, also known as agroforestry, is the productive use and management of trees within the farming system.

The Future Directions for Farm Forestry in Australia document (2000) defines farm forestry as:

'The incorporation of commercial tree growing into farming systems; it can take many forms: plantations on farms, woodlots, timber belts, alleys, wide-spaced tree plantings, and native forests'.
Farm forestry could also be regarded as: 'Combining forestry and agricultural enterprises into the one business unit.'

For maximum benefits farmers aim for multiple products from their 'crops'. For example, trees can provide high quality logs as well as benefits such as land protection (control of salinity and erosion), shade and shelter for stock and enhancement of catchment health and landscape values.

Private forestry refers to plantations and forests grown on private land and managed by private people or companies (as opposed to forests on public land managed by the state). Farm forestry is a form of private forestry.

Farm forestry and agroforestry differ from traditional annual forms of agricultural production in two main ways:

• Firstly, trees are a long-term investment and deserve extra planning and management to maximise their benefits to the farm. Because of their long-term nature, they can be used for many purposes including financial risk management, retirement planning and transferring wealth between generations. Good advice on taxation and investment should be sought for this.
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• Secondly, trees give indirect benefits to other farm enterprises. They can make conditions more favourable for growth of plants and animals and play a role in keeping farm ecosystems healthy. You may plant trees with one purpose in mind but get other benefits as well. In fact, the indirect benefits of trees con become more important than the original purpose. Careful design is needed to capture multiple benefits from trees.

Trees are deep-rooted and therefore access water-tables and recycle nutrients that are unavailable to most otherforms of production.

Trees also have an important influence on natural systems and biodiversity, which, with good planning, con benefit the farm and region.

But there are risks. Good design and careful management can help reduce risk factors.

Although the current contribution of farm forestry (in terms of area, investment, employment or timber production) might be small, farmers currently own almost all the cleared agricultural land and about half the native forest in Australia. The Federal and State Governments of Australia are currently encouraging plantation development on cleared agricultural land. Well integrated small scale farm forestry can play an important role in developing sustainable farms and landscapes.

Source: Adapted from VVF Farm Forestry: Can it work for you booklet.

Why Invest in Farm Forestry

Farm forestry is a method of improving the long-term sustainabilty of agricultural land that offers direct financial returns from harvested timber products as well as secondary benefits such as shelter and increased agricultural yields. Environmental benefits can extendbeyond farm boundaries, improving the sustainablity of local minor and major catchments. Farm forestry has the potential to create new regional industries and can help reduce Australia's trade deficit for wood products.

Integrated farm forestry offers landowners an opportunity to add another enterprise alongside traditional agriculture, while having minimal impact on yields. In some cases, 30% of land has been planted to trees, yet agricultural returns have increased. Yield impacts depend on site characteristics, area planted and planting design.

Landowners need not necessarily invest their own capital to establish farm forests. Other options include leasing to commercial forestry companies and joint ventures. All three options can offer benefits to the landholder and to the community, including shelter, control of salinity, erosion and nutrient movement, increased biodiversity, commercial returns at thinning and harvest, diversified income, increased employment and improved aesthetics. Benefits can be a combination of some or all of the above.

Immediate returns from farm forestry are unlikely, unless land is leased to forestry companies. The benefits that farm forestry offer, prior to the sale of thinnings and harvested timber are what landowners should initially be aiming for.

Windbreak benefits from agroforestry plots may be as important over time as returns from harvested timber. An obvious example is shelter for off-shears sheep from exposure to cold winds. Studies have shown (Bird 2000) that reducing wind by 50% can reduce energy loss in freshly shorn sheep by 20%. This energy is then available for meat and wool production.

Plantations can also influence crop and pasture productivity. One project investigating the effects of a plantation on wheat yields at Rutherglen showed a 47% increase in the sheltered zone (1 to 15 tree heights from the plantation) compared to a fully exposed plot (Bird et al. 1992). This result was in the high end of the range of expected yield benefits. Other studies have shown little or nil yield benefit.

Water use by farm forests can have economic benefits, offering control or prevention of salinity. It is far more expensive to try and reduce established salinity than to prevent its occurrence by establishing plantations (Lambert and Turner, 2000). A comparison performed in Israel by scientists Karschon and Heath in 1967 investigated differences in run-off between a red gum plantation and grassland. There was 83 mm of run-off from the eucalypt site compared to 320 mm from the grassland. Reduced run-off can offer many benefits including reduced recharge, decreased soil erosion and decreased nutrient loss.

From: SW Agroforestry Network Farm Forestry Field Days booklet Some benefits of Farm Forestry

Agricultural goals

• improved agricultural productivity by providing shelter and fed for stock and shelter for crops
• controlling pest animals and noxious weeds
• recycling or fixing soil nutrients
• fodder for stock

Non-agricultural goals

• enhance tourism potential
• develop new skills and job opportunities
• establish a forestry related on-farm business

Financial goals

• investment
• diversify crops and improve farm income
• utilising unproductive land
• increase the re-sale value of farms
• providing on-farm employment

Environmental goals

• controlling land degradation (by reducing soil erosion and salinity, and so improving water quality and soil conditions)
• protecting water catchments
• create habitat for wildlife (increase biodiversity)
• enhancing natural habitats
• screen unsightly industries
• improving water quality by using treated waste water to grow tree crops
• reducing Greenhouse problems (trees absorb Greenhouse gas)

Personal and lifestyle goals

• wishing to leave a legacy
• watch a forest grow
• improve the view

Adapted from ForestOnLine

Activity 3b: Where is Farm Forestry Ocurring in Victoria?

Students calculate how many trees would need to be planted to absorb their own greenhouse emissions.

VEL Domains	CSF II Links for Geography
Geography Mathematics Community Engagement Communication Thinking	5.1 Compare the characteristics of significant regions in Australia and the world. 5.2 Explain how natural processes and human activities change environments. 5.3 Explain how people's use of natural and human environments changes over time. 6.1 Explain the processes and interactions between people and major natural systems. 6.3 Predict the effects of resource development and use on a selected natural and human environment. 6.4 Develop a comprehensive strategy to resolve an issue related to the use and management of a natural or human environment.
	VCE Adaptable
	Geography Environmental Science Agricultural and Horticultural Studies

Materials

• Victorian Resources Online (VRO) website
• Resource sheet 3b: Priority maps for North Central catchment

Classroom activities

• Students use the VRO website to research and answer the following:

1. For the purpose of providing appropriate information for different parts of the State, Victoria has been divided into different Private Forestry Regions. How many are there? What is the name of the Private Forestry Region your school/home is located in? (Note: not all schools/towns are in a Private Forestry Region as note all of the State has been assigned into Private Forestry Regions.)
   Note: The VRO website does not provide detailed maps for all farm forestry regions.
   
   
2. Obtain or create a map to show the Farm Forestry regions of Victoria. Suggest why these different Farm Forestry Regions have been created in Victoria.
   Hint: consider the gowing conditions for trees
   Where is Farm Forestry/Private Forestry particularly occurring in Victoria? Suggest reasons why there is more farm forestry occurring in some areas of Victoria than others.
   
   
3. Use the 'Regional Private Forestry' site within the VRO website to find out what Farm Forestry opportunities have been identified for your region (or a selected region). Use the information on the VRO website for your chosen region to complete the following:  
   1. Collate the following information for your Region in a table.
      Which timber species have been identified as currently producing good financial returns in your region's soil and climate?
      Which timber species have been identified as potentially producing good financial returns in your region's soil and climate?

      	600 + mm mean annual rainfall	450 - 600 mm mean annual rainfall
      Current timber species grown
      Potential timber species to grow

   2. Based on this table and your findings in earlier activities, what timber products do you predict will be produced in your region i) 25 years and ii) 50 years from now?
   3. Predict what other changes this would this have on the region (e.g. on landscape, on jobs)
    
4. Less farm forestry is occurring in areas such as the Wimmera and North Central Victoria. These areas have poorer soil and lower rainfall, which means trees grow much more slowly than trees in wetter areas. This in turn means the economic returns are less than in southern Victoria, so fewer farmers are taking up farm forestry in these drier areas.
   To suit the climate, farmers in these regions are focussing on different species to southern Victoria.
   For example, dry country farmers are choosing timber species for specialty woodwork, or trees species for the cut foliage trade.
   However there are other reasons for planting trees. For example, in North Central Victoria there are considerable environmental benefits to growing farm trees. The State government is providing more incentives for people to get involved in farm forestry in areas with high levels of environmental degradation. North Central Catchment Managementm Authority has prepared maps to show:
   1.  
   2. Salinity Priority areas within the North Central catchment  
   3. Biodiversity Priority areas within the North Central catchment
   1. Review these maps (Resource sheet 3b) and explain how they could be used by farmers and other land managers to identify areas to plant farm forests.

Extension

Research the potential timber species for your area.
What makes them suitable for your area?

References

Victorian Resources Online (VRO) website
www.dpi.vic.gov.au/vro

• > Investing in Land & Water
• > Private Forestry
• > Regional Private Forestry or
• > Statewide Private Forestry

Regional Private Forestry for regional information From here you can select Regional profiles for Port Phillip, North West, Central Victorian Farm Plantations (CVFP), Greater Green Triangle, North East Plantation Region, and Gippsland Farm Plantations Inc. Regions.

Resource Sheet 3b: Priority Maps for North Central Catchment

Map of Salinity priority areas within the North Central catchment July 2004 - June 2009	Biodiversity priority areas within the North Central catchment July 2004 - June 2009

Activity 3c: Comparing Plantation and Forest Grown Timbers

Statewide Activities

Students compare timber samples of the same species grown in a plantation and in a native forest.

VEL Domains Levels 5&6

Geography Science Mathematics English Interpersonal Development Community Engagement Communication Thinking

Materials

• Timber sample set of plantation grown and forest grown:
• River Red Gum - Eucalyptus camaldulensis
• Spotted Gum - Eucalyptus maculata (= Corymbia maculata)
• Rose Gum - Eucalyptus grandis
  Contact Creswick Landcare Centre to arrange the loan of the kit of materials (see page 6).

Classroom activity

Comparing Plantation and Forest Grown Timbers

1. Assign different groups one of the above sets of timber samples. 
   1. River Red Gum
   2. Spotted Gum 
   3. Rose Gum
2. Each group compares the plantation grown and forest grown samples and describe how they are similar and how they are different.
   Because of the different soil and water conditions, the timber from a tree species grown in a plantation (farm forest) may look different from the same species of tree grown in a native forest area.
3. Each group suggests reasons for the similarities and especially for the differences. Plantation grown species usually grow faster because they are often grown on better sites (ones that were initially cleared for agriculture) and they are managed for timber production (thinned and pruned - to produce timber with minimal competition so they grow faster). Consequently plantation timber is generally not asdense or as dark in colour as the older, slower grown wood from native forest areas. The grain pattern may also therefore look slightly different between plantation and forest trees.
   Plantation trees are also often selected from better tree stock.

Plantation Sources of Timber

5. Some timber products state they are made from plantation grown timber. 
6. Each group lists a) some reasons a company might promote its products as being sourced from plantations b) some benefits to the consumer/the community of buying plantation grown timber. 
7. Each group prepare an advertisement (for newspaper, radio, TV or website) to promote a hypothetical product made from plantation grown timber. 
8. Each group present their advertisement to the whole class.
9. Discuss the messages presented in the adverts. Who are they trying to appeal to with the message?