Agroforestry

Agroforestry is the deliberate growing of woody plants with row crops, forages, and/or livestock.. While it usually takes years for the woody crop to mature, assoiated crop(s) and/or livestock can provide annual income in the interim.

Livestock

Florida's livestock industry is a huge part of the economy, contributing over $1.5 billion annually. Beef, dairy, goats, horses, poultry, pigs and many other types of livestock provide food, recreation and jobs across the state.

Management Information

UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program - Other Forest Values - Agroforestry: introduces agroforestry and links to more publications and resources.

UF/IFAS Publications on Agroforestry

USDA National Agricultural Laboratory - Alternative Farming Systems: find information about combining agricultural and forestry practices including conservation practices such as alley cropping, windbreaks, riparian buffers, wildlife habitats or living snow fences and forest farming activities such as silvopasture and shaded crop production.

USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC): NAC accelerates the application of agroforestry through a national network of partners conducting research, developing technologies and tools, coordinating demonstrations and training, and providing useful information to natural resource professionals.

Management Information

UF/IFAS SFYL - Livestock: portal to all livestock related information from UF/IFAS.

USDA Economic Research Service - Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook: this monthly report, presented in a newsletter format, provides current intelligence and forecasts the effects of changing conditions in the U.S. livestock, dairy, and poultry sectors.

Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN): a source of up to the minute weather information.

Management Assistance

Florida Forest Service’s Forest Stewardship Program: if you have 20 acres or more, Florida’s Forest Stewardship Program offers landowners assistance with developing a multiple-objective forest management plan and provides access to a multitude of educational resources and programs.

Florida’s Tree Farm Program: for landowners with 10 acres or more, the Tree Farm Program offers similar services and benefits as the Forest Stewardship Program above.

Your UF/IFAS County Extension Agent: UF/IFAS has Extension offices in each of Florida’s 67 counties. Twelve Research and Education Centers, Research and Demonstration Sites, and several other offices are located throughout the state.

USDA Farm Service Agency: Financial and technical assitance programs for agricultural producers.

Florida Forest Service's Vendor Database: Find private assistance to complete plans and practices; vendors and buyers of forest products, etc

UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program - Directory: contacts to forestry and natural resource agencies, organizations and businesses.

Selecting a Consulting Forester: publication covering useful tips on choosing a consulting forester to assist with forest management.

Management Assistance

Your UF/IFAS County Extension Agent: UF/IFAS has Extension offices in each of Florida’s 67 counties. Twelve Research and Education Centers, Research and Demonstration Sites, and several other offices are located throughout the state.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - Livestock: NRCS grazing land and range-land management specialists provide planning and technical assistance to livestock producers, and they can help identify financial assistance that can be used in implement these plans.

USDA Farm Service Agency: Financial and technical assitance programs for agricultural producers.

Taxes

Property Taxes and Greenbelt Law: property owners who use their land for agriculture can save on their county property tax assessment through the state's "greenbelt" law. The law essentially says that any land that is used for bonifide agricultural purposes is classified as agricultural. This means the county property appraiser will tax the land according to its agricultural use-value rather than its value for potential development. This is a much lower tax rate and saves the property owner when it's time to pay the annual property tax bill. Find your County Property Appraiser:

Taxes

Property Taxes and Greenbelt Law: property owners who use their land for agriculture can save on their county property tax assessment through the state's "greenbelt" law. The law essentially says that any land that is used for bonifide agricultural purposes is classified as agricultural. This means the county property appraiser will tax the land according to its agricultural use-value rather than its value for potential development. This is a much lower tax rate and saves the property owner when it's time to pay the annual property tax bill. Find your County Property Appraiser

UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program - Timber Taxes: How you treat the expenses and income associated with your forestland for tax purposes depends on the scope and nature of your timber-related activities. If you have a small holding with occasional transactions, you would most likely treat these activities as an investment. If your holdings produce regular and continuous transactions, your forestland may constitute a business. Regardless of your tax status, it is extremely important to maintain thorough records for all management activities and costs.

Support

Florida Cattlemen's Association: a statewide, non-profit organization established in 1934. It is devoted entirely and exclusively to promoting and protecting the ability of cattlemen to produce and market their products

Florida Farm Bureau: the Sunshine State's largest general agricultural organization with more than 140,000 member-families representing Farm Bureaus in 60 counties.

Support

Florida Forestry Association: provides opportunities to connect, learn and bring greater value to your land or business.

last updated 2/12/2021