Agenda - Council - 06/10/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I UNIVERSITY J~,in Cltltl C~mlVUt OF MINNESOTA C, nter for lnt~grate~ Ntz~rol Re~our**~ and Collel~e ~f Natural t~e$our~¥.v College of A~riculturM. Fvml. and Em.lronnwntvl I15 Green Hall I530 Cleveland Avenue North St. Paul, MN $$105-ItI27 Office: 612-624-7418 or 624-4299 F~: 612-625-5212 lnl,rnet: CIN~M~rextry. unm. edu May 30, 1997 To Whom It May Concern: We are pl~ to write a letter of support and to describe our projected role in providing agroforestry and small-scale farm forestry technic, al assistance to this project. CINRAM is a joint initiative of the College of Natural Resources and the College of Agriculture specifically formed to catalyze and promote integrated land use sysmms through user-focused research and education. We work with a number of national, state, and local agencies, non-profit organizations, and individual landowners in Minnesota to rosier systems approaches to land management at both the farm and landscape levels. Our primary focus has been agroforesu-y (intentionally integrating trees and woody perennials into agricultural systems). We have a number of local, statewide, and national research and education programs currently undenvay that focus specifically on agroforestry. These elf om m'e supported by the extensive: experience of CINRAM's professional staff in both tropical andtemperate agroforestry systems (primarily Drs. Ken Brooks and Scott Josiah). We are excited to participate in this project to specifically provide the many landowners of mid- sized parcels (severa/acres and up that are "too big to mow and too small to plow") on the metro fringe with information regarding agroforestry options and opportunities. This specific group of landowners are not well served by state and federal conservation programs designed for larger holdings, yet the aggregate impacts of their management practices greatly influence environmental qua/ity over large areas (both positively and negatively). Agroforestry systems can enhance the environmental quality of individual holdin!gs ~ well as provide off site benefits such as improved water quality and wildlife habitat. In addition, agroforestry systems can generate income producing products highly relevant to family-based operations. We will be participating in tNs project by providing technical expertise, m~d leading relevant tours, as well as provide literature on agroforestry opportunities and practices. We hope you will approve this worthwhile project. Sincerely, Scott J. Josiah, Ph.D. Coordinator, CINRAM