Our USDA colleagues have been busy on the agroforestry file since the release of the USDA Agroforestry Strategic Framework by USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan in June, 2011, at the 12th NAAC in Athens, Georgia, and which was then presented in more detail by the National Agroforestry Center (NAC) Director, Andy Mason.

Although the NAC has clearly had an important role in developing and implementing the framework and in developing the report, it is clear, from the press release by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, copied below, and from further information on the USDA website, that agroforestry is currently encouraged at the highest levels within USDA, as reflected in the USDA Departmental Regulation 1073-002, which is based on the framework, and which contains statements such as (Article 6.a.2) “All USDA agencies will take affirmative steps to advance the science, practice, and application of agroforestry …” For further information about USDA and agroforestry, visit www.usda.gov/agroforestry.