Alley Cropping
Between rows of young trees, crops have been planted, awaiting the yearly harvest. As the trees grow, the remaining space is used for crop production, allowing the farmer to generate income while the trees develop. Sometimes the trees are planted intentionally in rows to allow for crops to continue to grow in the middle, or alleys, when the trees reach maturity. This practice is called alley cropping, which is a great starting practice in agroforestry, as it allows for the natural timeline of trees to grow, while also using the time and space wisely. Whether you are establishing an orchard or want to protect your annual crops, alley cropping creates two streams of income that work in harmony.
To start, check out the USDA and Forest Service resource, Alley Cropping. This is a great overview that can help lead to resources and other agroforestry publications. This article covers the basics of alley cropping, including basic terminology and photo examples. Another great article resource is Chapter 3: Alley Cropping by the Agroforestry Center, which goes over benefits, limitations, design, plant selection, and maintenance for alley cropping.
Alley Cropping by MOFGA is an article on a SARE research grant into alley cropping in the early stages of establishing an orchard. This is a great look at an alley cropping demonstration in New England, as it goes over the trials and errors of different crops that can be grown in this region.
Though not a New England-based group, the Savannah Institute is an extremely valuable agroforestry resource. The article, Alley Cropping, includes video resources, farm examples, and an info sheet that goes over all the basics of agroforestry.
Alley Cropping by the University of Wisconsin Extension helps farmers use alley cropping as a method when starting out an agroforestry production. This video is part of a series on agroforestry that includes interviews from industry professionals. Intro to Alley Cropping for Small Farms in Kentucky and Appalachia explores models of alley cropping on working and demonstration farms. Though this is a southern-based project, much of the information shared in this video can be applied throughout the country. Both of these are great video resources that can be used to see what an alley cropping practice can look like.
Alley cropping is just one part of the many types of agroforestry methods farmers can use to create healthier ecosystems and stronger economies. By blending methods of agroforestry, farmers can increase streams of income while increasing biodiversity. Make sure to check out NOFA-NH’s other agroforestry resource blogs: Agroforestry, Windbreaks, and Riparian Buffer Zones.
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This resource was funded in partnership with the Transition to Organic Partnership Program