Episode Three - Agroforestry
Discuss
The term “agroforestry” that gives this episode its title combines the ideas of “agriculture” (the cultivation of crops) and “forestry” (taking care of woodlands). What similarities can you see between those two practices? What differences or tensions might there be?
Some people, hearing the word “agroforestry,” might think of a Christmas tree farm. Do you think tree farming counts as agroforestry? Why or why not?
In what context did the U.S. government first take up agroforestry? What were the benefits of large-scale agroforesting initiatives like the Great Plains Shelterbelt?
What might be the benefits of agroforestry on a smaller scale, such as Mary Lu Lageman’s project of creating a “food forest”?
How do black walnut trees create the room to grow? Why can you see paw-paw trees near black walnuts, but not other kinds of trees?
Introduced in the 1950’s as a fast-growing ornamental for use in landscaping, Bradford pears turned out to be a highly invasive species, spreading quickly and crowding out native species. What are Mary Lu Lageman’s plans for dealing with the Bradfords at Grailville? What principles of agroforestry can you see?
When Doug Fitch was young, some people would put 6-8 taps into a single maple tree. Now he limits himself to three. Why? What are the benefits of limiting the number of taps?
Left to itself, the Asian Longhorned Beetle could have damaged timberwoods in Ohio worth an estimated $2.5 billion dollars. When the first infestations were reported in the state, government agencies proposed a response called “full host removal.” What are the advantages and drawbacks of the full host removal strategy? What alternative strategy did the Bethel Citizen’s cooperative propose? What role did they take on? What are the benefits of government agencies working in tandem with citizens, and what potential drawbacks do you see?
Listen
In the Sugarbush: Your Guide to Maple Syrup with Arthur Haines — WildFed Podcast #068: https://www.wild-fed.com/podcast/068
Red Kill Mountain Homestead Farms Meet Rae from Tree Juice Maple Syrup:
https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/red-kill-mountain/meet-rae-from-tree-juice-r8Pq4DEj7Hc/
The Maple Syrup Cartel: https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2019/04/10/711779666/the-maple-syrup-cartel
Watch
Suzanne Simard, TED talk How Trees Talk to Each Other
Connors, Leila and Nadia Connors, directors. The 11th Hour. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, 2007. The 11th Hour is a 2007 documentary film on the state of the natural environment created, produced, co-written and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio. The 11th hour refers to the last moment when change is possible.
Dion, Dyril and Laurent, Melanie, directors, Tomorrow, multiple production companies, United States release, 2017. The world"s climate is changing. Instead of showing the worst that can happen, this documentary focuses on the people suggesting solutions and their actions.
Climate Change and Maple Syrup Production, a presentation by Dr. Tim Perkins (Director-University of Vermont Proctor Maple Research Center) https://youtu.be/FAm52a17T
Read
Links
Indigenous Traditions Revived through Maple Syrup Production: https://capitalcurrent.ca/building-bridges-indigenous-traditions-revived-through-maple-syrup-production/
Maple Syrup Industry Adapting to Climate Change: https://www.usgs.gov/ecosystems/climate-adaptation-science-centers/maple-syrup-industry-adapting-climate-change
Climate Change Is Ruining Maple Syrup by Making It Less Sweet And Affecting When We Tap It: https://www.forbes.com/sites/priyashukla/2019/09/20/climate-change-is-ruining-maple-syrup-by-making-it-less-sweet-and-affecting-when-we-tap-it/?sh=76ba13797775
Maple Sugaring History and Native American Treaty Rights Research: http://maplesyruphistory.com/category/native-american/
Asian Longhorn Beetle Education resources https://www.observatree.org.uk/portal/asian-longhorn-beetle/
This website from the National Park Service gathers numerous articles from a variety of academic journals and other sources highlighting indigenous ecological and cultural contexts for understanding and living with climate change. Examples include: How Traditional Tribal Perspectives Influence Ecosystem Restoration andTribal plant nurseries are about more than growing plants.
Books
Powers, Richard. The Overstory. Random House UK, 2018.
Rutkow, Eric. American Canopy: Trees, Forests, and the Making of a Nation. Scribner, 2013.
Wohlleben, Peter. Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate. Greystone Books, 2018.
Magazines/Jounals
Invasion of the Longhorn Beetle https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/invasion-of-the-longhorn-beetles-145061504/
Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Agroforestry https://www.fs.usda.gov/nac/assets/documents/agroforestrynotes/an44g14.pdf
Inside Quebec’s Great Multi-Million Dollar Maple Syrup Heist https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/12/maple-syrup-heist
A Future Without Maple? The Threat of the Asian Longhorn Beetlehttps://mapleresearch.org/pub/farmingsep14column/
Do
Learn how to tap a maple tree in your own yard. https://thisinspired.life/how-to-tap-maple-tree-in-your-yard/
Make Sugar on Snow
Materials for Asian Longhorn Beetle education, citizen science https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/pests-diseases/asian-longhorned-beetle/alb-educate-kids
Join this citizen science i-Tree Inventory project
https://www.plt.org/activity-resources/prek-8-activity-12-invasive-species/
Additional Resources
https://indigescapes.com/ a nursery focused on native agriculture. Bringing back native wild plums, native persimmons and paw paws.
Eat
This recipe comes by way of Mary and Sarah Schreindorfer and Vermont Public Television, featured on vermontmaple.org.
MAPLE PIE
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups pure Vermont Maple Syrup
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter
1 – 9 in unbaked pie shell
Preparation:
In a heavy saucepan, wisk together cream and flour until smooth.
Add maple syrup, butter and pepper.
Cook stirring over medium heat for 10 minutes or until thickened. Do not let the mixture boil.
Pour filling into pie shell and sprinkle with chopped walnuts.
Bake at 375 degrees for 20 – 30 minutes or until bubbling.
Cool on a rack and then refrigerate until thoroughly cooled before serving.
Check out these recipes from the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers https://vermontmaple.org/recipes/