Agroforestry

I'm looking at pursuing a masters in Agroforestry this coming year, starting in September. I'm from the north eastern United States, and the north eastern US/southeastern Canada interests me most as a place of work, where I'd eventually like to settle down- though I don't suppose I am attached to working around here right off the bat. While Laval offers what seems to be an excellent agroforestry program in Quebec, it's way too expensive for me. I have already been given an offer of admission from Bangor University in Wales (MSc in agroforestry and food security), but I'm also eyeing up the natural resources degree with an emphasis in agroforestry that's program in Quebec, it's way too expensive for me. I have already been given an offer of admission from Bangor University in Wales, but I'm also eyeing up the natural resources degree with an emphasis in agroforestry that Missouri university offers, as it seems to have coursework more pertinent to the things I want to specifically learn. Does anyone with experience with either of those two institutions have any input to share? They both seem pretty reputable, and like they have good programs but I would love to hear from anyone who has studied or taught at either of those two places. Thanks y'all!

Hi, I’m Howard-Yana Shapiro. I’ve worked in sustainable agricultural and agroforestry systems, plant breeding, molecular biology and genetics for over 40 years.

I led the global effort to sequence, assemble and annotate the Theobroma cacao (cacao) genome and am also part of the leadership team for the Arachis (peanut) genome global effort. I work with the African Orphan Crops Consortium, which was set up to sequence, assemble and annotate 100 of the key African food crops in order to breed more nutritious plants to help alleviate malnutrition and stunting.

Tomorrow, I will be on a panel about Solving Agriculture’s Greatest Challenges at the UC Davis - Mars Symposium, which marks the establishment of the joint Innovation Institute for Food and Health. The Innovation Institute is designed to deliver big-impact, Silicon Valley-type breakthroughs from lab research to commercialization in food, agriculture and health.

Here are a few links to visit for more info-- -My TEDMED Talk: -Recent Article in the Sacramento Bee - “Plant geneticist breaks 200mph while keeping up with fast-moving genetics field”: -Live Stream of the UC Davis – Mars Symposium:

Look forward to chatting at 12pm EST. Ask me anything!

EDIT: These discussions are critical. Who knows what's right or wrong. Who knows what science is better than someone else's. If we use evidence-based science, maybe these discussions that we've had today can move forward and help solve the nutrition, agriculture and health problems facing humanity. I used to think 2050 was science fiction, it was so far away. Now it seems like it's just around the corner. Some of you participating in this AMA will solve the problems for 2050, whether in the lab or in the field. But it's up to conversations like this to elucidate the issues and to help resolve the solutions. What is critical is that it will be through uncommon collaborations. Without these, there is almost no future to solving problems today. How we worked in the past is not sufficient.

I'm sorry I couldn't get to everyone's questions, but enjoyed the last 2.5 hours. I invite you to tune-in to tomorrow's UC Davis - Mars Symposium that will take these conversations further:

I appreciate the seriousness of the conversation. It's these types of discussions that will bring the solutions. Thank you.

Any good book recommendations on incorporating trees and forested environments into a homestead? Specifically for a temperate zone. I just read trees of power by Akiva Silver and it was great.

Agroforest are not only more sustainable then standard crops, they are also more secure, and nutritionally diverse.

Agroforests can minimize many natural disasters, and provide cover from home man made destruction. They provide homes for wildlife, food for life, and more jobs for people.

An agroforest can stand up to neglect better then annual crops, and can provide food for small communities and large cities alike.

Groups like Birdhouse.farm are advocating in rural areas to replace some annual crops with perenial agroforestry crops.

Thank you for taking the time to read this I appreciate any interest in the topic, feel free to ask me any questions you have about agroforestry!

Hi all, I’m taking a PDC and working on a design project. The client has a very windy property with wind coming from almost all sides. They have a section of the property that they’d like to dedicate to agroforestry. I’d like to utilize that space to also be a wind break.

Anyone have any resources or ideas for making the agroforestry area function as a windbreak?

I’m looking for like-minded people who are interested in being a co founder / working with an agroforestry startup. I’m located in NY. The specifics are flexible but my mission statement is to combat climate change through agroecological methods while providing nutrient dense and organic food to as many people as possible. This can include planting public green spaces in the form of food forests, working with schools, food pantries, and other institutions to plant food forests and other regenerative agriculture systems to provide a form of local food sovereignty, and could also include having private land to grow food where we could then sell the produce to local markets. Can also expand into agrivoltaics and sell solar energy. There’s tons that can be done with this so I’m super open to collaboration