Tuesday 31st May 2011
Met by Dusty Walter and Gene Garrett from the 'Centre of Agroforestry - University of Missouri' and taken to the Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center (HARC) at New Franklin north of Columbia. This is a 600ac site dedicated to Agroforestry Research. Looked at a huge range of important and valuable research all being carried out with strict scientoific regour by some emensley experienced and intelegent staff.
Looked at 'shade trails' evaluating how different plants grow and adapt to different shade levels under agroforestry systems. Then looked at a watershead research project monitoring how Agroforestry buffers can mitigate the effect of sediment, N loading and even antibiotic loading into water courses from silvopasture systems and grazing livestock.
The centre is leading the way in variety testing and as a germplasm repository for tree species, witgh pines, maples, oaks, chensut walnut etc etc. Some excelent work on agroforestry tree spacing and pairing of species in rows and looking at grazing pressure and productivity of livestock. Interestingly also a project on collecting and bailing pine needles from under pine trees for use a a mulch which has led to var selection fo trees with longer pine needles.

Some interesting work on a RPM technique for proporgation of trees shwing significant benefits on establishment, growth and yield of fruit as young and old trees.
We looked at a watershed and flood aleviation study with some huge and impressive flooding beds capable of testing sediment and water movement of different species planted. Gene Garret and Dusty then showed me a historic house built by pioneer setlers on the property which Gene has had much pride in completley renovating to a fantastic standard - he should be rightly proud of his efforts.

I felt emensley provaliged to be in the company of Gene and Dusty who have so much experience and knowledge of agroforestry and who were so willing to share their experiences.

Spent the afternoon with Dusty and Hank Stelzer looking at new biomass plantations of coprn/bean with tillage; corn/bean no till; corn/bean/wheat; willow; switchgrass; arable reversion conservation measures at another site. again a very impressive set up with great large field scale lycimeter resources capturing soil, sediment and water oftake for comparative system analysis.

Back to Columbia to spend the night with Dusty and his Family. Dusty, Stephanie, Katherine (11), Claire (8) and Ben (6) made me feel extreemely welcome. they are a lovely family and I felt at home immediatley.  I was treated to a loveley home cooked meal and got to know them over dinner and chatted to late. seems we have a lot in common and feel like old friends already. I am so very grateful to them for their hospitality.

Tomorow we go to see some farms