Page Content
About Farm Forestry
Farm forestry means different things to different people. Essentially however, it is the incorporation of commercial tree growing into farming systems. As depicted in the diagram below, it takes many forms, including timber belts, alleys and widespread tree plantings. Farm forestry can provide farmers with an alternative source of income. It can improve agricultural production by providing shelter for stock and crops and can provide substantial environmental benefits such as salinity control.
Over the last decade, landholders and community groups all over Australia have invested significant effort in planting trees and other plants in revegetation and forestry projects. The National Farm Forestry Inventory reported that by 2001 over 65,000 hectares had been planted in farm forestry activities.
The Farm Forestry National Action Statement outlines the objectives and actions agreed by the Australian, State and Territory governments and the forest and wood products industry to develop farm forestry.
Programs such as the NAP and the NHT Extension promote the role of trees within the rural landscape to improve biodiversity, agricultural productivity and water quality, and reduce the effects of salinity. Funding under the NAP and the NHT Extension is generally dependant on the development of a Regional Natural Resource Management Plan. Local communities develop these plans based on analysis of natural resource problems and priorities, and technical data and information unique to their region.
Farm forestry has an important role in helping tackle the land and water degradation issues affecting Australia's agricultural landscapes. The booklet, Farm Forestry's Role, describes how farm forestry projects can be incorporated into the regional natural resource management planning processes and framework.