Craig Elevitch operates an agroforestry demonstration farm. Highlights include two acres of alley cropping in a jackfruit orchard and nitrogen fixing tree species trials.
Craig describes the alley cropping system that started as a USDA-SARE research project in 1997. Read about the research results here (pdf).
In alley cropping, contour hedgerows of fast-growing trees (the feathery-leaf trees above) are regularly cut for organic matter that is applied to the crop. The fast-growing trees on this farm are the nitrogen-fixing species Calliandra calothyrsus and Acacia angustissima. In this case, the crop is jackfruit trees, which are planted in the area between the contour hedgerows.
Participants walk through the orchard alley cropping project.
Participants taste freshly picked jackfruit.
Craig describes some of the other nitrogen fixing trees on the farm, including selections of Gliricidia sepium, an excellent multipurpose tree.
A Jackson cameleon has made a home in the gliricidia hedge.
Another nitrogen-fixing tree on the property is Sesbania sesban, used in many the tropical areas for organic matter and fodder. Participants gather seeds to try growing on their farms.
