Windbreaks
Standing at the edge of a field is a line of trees, shrubs, and perennial plants. These are the protectors of the fields, or windbreakers that shield crops and livestock from wind damage. These rows of land are planted with intent and designed to reduce the impact wind brings to agricultural operations. As a component of agroforestry, windbreaks use land efficiently and introduce new income streams to already established farms. Through planting windbreaks, farmers can reduce wind erosion, reduce livestock odors and stress, as well as protect crops. This blog covers many resources that help introduce the idea of windbreaks and how to get started planting them on your farm.
USDA and the Forest Service have put together a Windbreaks resource. This article covers the different windbreak types and helps connect all parts of how windbreaks operate with extended resources. There are agroforestry and windbreak-related publications also created, and a library full of other resources from outside agroforestry groups, including photos, videos, and conservation guidelines. Chapter 6 - Windbreaks is a guide by the Center for Agroforestry that explains how windbreaks work and provides guidance on designing and maintaining them. Through windbreaks, this guide shows how to grow nuts, fruits, berries, timber, Christmas trees, and more to benefit crop and livestock production. There is also a section to use windbreaks for homes, odor reduction, snow, and wildlife.
Two video resources on windbreaks are Permaculture Tree Windbreaks - all you need to know! and Building Windbreaks for a Thriving Permaculture System. The first video compares the practice of shelterbelting, using larger trees and shrubs, versus hedgerows, which use dwarf trees and shrubs for a windbreak. The next video is a University of Missouri resource, showing the benefits, design components, management system, and suitable trees and shrubs for windbreaks. Both of these videos are helpful to see examples of windbreaks being installed and used to help farmers.
Windbreaks - University of Michigan Extension is a quicker fact sheet, providing the details of design, such as height, density, and length. Also covered is the benefits towards energy costs, farm odors, wildlife habitats, and snow. Though this is a Minnesota-based resource, much of the information can overlap with New England. Another Midwest-based resource is Windbreaks through the Savannah Institute. This resource shows windbreaks in action, through video examples, an info sheet, and example farms. The Savannah Institute is a hub for all agroforestry-related topics, including a free Beginning Farmers: Agroforestry Foundation course.
This simple idea of planting trees and shrubs along your field line can go a long way. With attention to detail and planning, you can grow a barrier that lasts a lifetime. Check out the other NOFA-NH agroforestry resource blogs on Silvopasture and Riparian Buffer Zones.
This resource was funded in partnership with the Transition to Organic Partnership Program