Productive conservation: Diversifying farm enterprises by producing specialty woody products in agroforestry systems

Producers in the North American Midwest and Great Plains are expressing considerable interest in growing "alternative crops" such as specialty forest products for the niche food, medicinal, decorative floral and handicraft markets. Many of these commercially valuable products can be produced in agroforestry plantings such as windbreaks, alleycropping arrangements, and riparian buffers, providing both environmental and financial benefits. This paper summarizes data from replicated field trials, market assessments and product sales regarding small fruit and woody decorative floral selection, production, performance, prices and markets in Nebraska and Saskatchewan.