The Agroforestry Handbook
Agroforestry for the UK
Resource explained
Written for farmers and advisors, this invaluable handbook will help you assess the potential business benefits of agroforestry for your farm or client and to understand the possible benefits to the wider environment, such as sequestering carbon and reducing flood risk. It introduces the theory of agroforestry, looks at practical management and design considerations, and provides information on markets and pricing. The authors are leading researchers and practitioners with decades of experience in agroforestry from the UK and around the world.
Findings & recommendations
- Most farmers manage land that combines agricultural production with trees. There are many opportunites to grow a range of tree crops for human and animal consumption, to help with improving animal welfare and soil health, and to provide building and other woody products. Increased uptake of agroforestry in the UK can also benefit crop productivity, climate change mitigation, and water, biodiversity, and landscape management.
- The handbook is divided into chapters looking at the definition of agroforestry, agroforestry systems design, silvopasture, silvoarable, hedges, windbreaks and riparian buffers, and the economic case for agroforestry.
- This second edition has a new ‘Farm Woodland’ chapter, additional detail on funding strategies for agroforestry, and an increased focus on climate resilience.
Summary provided by:
Janie CaldbeckEdited by:
Phil SumptionRelated articles
Agricology has drawn together practical resources and case studies to help you navigate ways in which to integrate trees into farming systems.
Following a well-received evidence review in which the main factors holding back agroforestry in England were identified, the Agroforestry ELM Team, led by the ORC,...
ORC Agroforestry Researcher Sally Westaway writes about the start of a new EU project designed to support innovation through knowledge transfer.
This film, created by the Soil Association through the FABulous Farmers project, explores some of the many benefits that can be experienced from different agroforestry...
Pioneering agroforestry farmer Stephen Briggs relates the benefits he has reaped from this multi-faceted system of farming.
Invaluable guidance for farmers from the AGFORWARD team on how to plan, create and manage an agroforestry system.
Summary highlighting outcomes of Tom Staton's PhD thesis ‘Evaluating the effects of agroforestry versus arable systems on functional biodiversity and associated ecosystem services.’










