By Andi Anderson
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, through its Iowa Learning Farms program, has published a new On-Farm Forestry Field Guide to help farmers and landowners improve the management of trees and woodlands on their properties. The guide is available free of charge and provides practical information on forestry planning, conservation, and land management.
The resource was developed in collaboration with Billy Beck, Assistant Professor and Extension Forestry Specialist at Iowa State University. It is designed to help landowners make informed decisions about forestry practices that support agricultural production, environmental conservation, water quality, and long-term property value.
The guide covers a wide range of forestry-related topics, including windbreaks, erosion control, woodland management, pasture trees, streambank protection, riparian forest buffers, landscape connectivity, and high-value timber production. It also emphasizes the importance of creating a long-term management plan before beginning forestry projects.
Discussing the need for better woodland management, Beck said, “Iowa lost some 4 million acres of woodlands over the past two centuries. Our goal with this guide is to clearly outline the steps farmers and landowners can take to reclaim, reestablish and maintain healthy forested areas in beneficial ways that achieve their goals. Forestland can deliver financial value through direct impacts on soil, water and crop health, as well as through the potential for timber income. It can also enhance recreational and aesthetic value. There is no single solution that addresses every landscape and farm, but no matter the goals, it is imperative to start with a plan that involves input from forestry professionals.”
The guide was developed using feedback from professional foresters and numerous farmers and landowners across Iowa. It provides users with practical advice, resources, and contacts to help create forestry plans tailored to individual land management goals.
In addition to planning guidance, the publication includes information on species selection, tree planting, pruning, and long-term maintenance. It also connects readers with additional educational materials and best management practices developed by leading forestry experts and researchers.
The guide highlights the many benefits trees can provide on farms, including improved soil health, water protection, wildlife habitat, and increased property value. Properly managed woodlands can also contribute to farm profitability through timber production and other economic opportunities.
Beck emphasized the often-overlooked value of trees on agricultural land, saying, “Whether in pastures, along waterways or included in existing windbreaks, trees on the farm are sometimes considered a nuisance and often left to a low priority for attention from busy farmers. We are hopeful that the guide will help users see the potential benefits these areas can bring to the farm and offer exposure to simple and achievable actions that can increase the lifetime value of the property and help achieve operational, conservation and land management goals.”
The new guide serves as a valuable resource for farmers seeking to balance productivity, conservation, and sustainable land stewardship through effective forestry management.
Photo Credit: iowa-state-university
Categories: Iowa, Sustainable Agriculture