PROMOTING AGROFORESTRY AS A SUSTAINABLE/ALTERNATIVE REGENERATIVE FOOD PRODUCTION OPTION AND THE PROVISION OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN KENTUCKY

The primary goal of thisproject is tofacilitate adoption of agroforestry practices and systems among farmers in Kentucky through its study as a means to contribute to local food production while also improving land productivityand providing ecoystem services. This project will provide a means todevelop agroforestry systems that farmers and rural communities can adopt as economic and environmental opportunities and will examine ways topromote alley cropping systemsas a mainstream.Although the primary goal during the grant performance period is to explore approriate alley cropping systems for Kentucky, select study locations will also be establishedas long-term research and demonstration trials. Research results and the research process will be used as a teaching tool in both university and outreach education. Establishing this infrastructure will increase KSU's capacity to offer experiential learning to students and community members related to agroforestry as a regenerative agriculture system. Furthermore, this will enhance interdisciplinary partnerships among faculty members within Kentucky State University and other state universities while providingavenues to train students to become researchers, natural resource managers, and Extension agents.Objectives1) Establish, demonstrate, and evaluate the food productionpotential of food forest/alley cropping agroforestry systems.2) Quantify soil health andpollinator impacts.3) Examine the barriers to agroforestry adoption and propose solutions.4) Establish an integrated Extension/outreach program to increase adoption.