(Re) emergence of Agroforestry practices

in the Baltic statesValters Kinna, Céline Huart

Table of content

- Valters and Céline

- Latvian Fund for Nature

- Traditional agroforestry

- Niche product businesses

- Food forest first trial

- Interested farmers

- Our aims

- Current activities

- Future activities

- Wish of collaboration

Presentation

Latvia

Projects

Who are we ?

What is happening

in Latvia/Baltic states?

What are we doing now

and plan to do ?

2

A complementary team since 2017Presentation

Céline – bioengineer, specialised inagroecology, group dynamics skills,participatory research-action, experiencein AF in Belgium and Congo.

Valters – biologist, specialised in natureconservation and environmentaleducation, interested in environmentallysustainable agriculture and permaculture.

Latvian Fund for Nature

• Non-governmental organisation (foundation) devoted to research,protection of biodiversity and diminishing environmental impact of varioussectors of the economy.

• More than 40 different projects related to on-site management andrestauration.

• More than 10 LIFE projects and currently 3 as coordinating beneficiary.

• About 60 site management plans for Nature 2000 sites and nationallyprotected areas prepared.

• Successfully completed several projects in cooperation with farms aboutimplementation of environmentally friendly farming practises.

Presentation

LFN current project example - GrassLife

Promoting semi-natural grassland management and restauration:• restoring 1320 ha of semi-natural grassland habitats in 14 territories in

Natura 2000 network.

• Joining together 12 farms in all Latvia, grassland experts from University

of Latvia, LFN and other institutions

• Testing new restauration methods

Presentation

Grasslife.lv

Co-financed by:

GrassLife Mobile Grazing Unit

Presentation

Traditional (extensive) agroforestry in LatviaFennoscandian wooded pastures (grazed forests) (habitat 9070*)

currently ~ 3000 hectares known, more will be discovered

Latvia

Fennoscandian wooded meadows (habitat 6530*)

currently 1160 ha known, MUCH more will be discovered

Traditional (extensive) agroforestry in Latvia (2)

Abandoned, overgrown wooded meadowManaged wooded meadow

Latvia

Latvia

Niche product farming in Latvia

● Shitake farm

● Ginseng under forest canopy10

Latvia

Food forest enthusiasmamong permaculturistsWoody plants for food in Latvia

Apple – Pear – Plum – Cherry – Lime – Oak –Walnut – Sweet chestnut – Apricot –Mulberry – Hawthorn – Oleaster –Honeysuckle – Peach – Nectarine – Rowan –Black currant – Red currant – Golden current – Gooseberry – Raspberry – Blackberry –Strawberry-Raspberry – Black elder –Juniperus – Sea buckthorn – Dogwood –Guelder rose – Japanese quince – Garden huckleberry – Barberry – Dwarf serviceberry –Hazelnut – Dog rose – Japanese rose –Chokeberry – Duke of Argyll’s teaplant –Southernwood – Blueberry – Lingonberry –Crowberry – Bearberry – Bog bilberry –Hyssop – Rosemary – Actinidia – Grape – Five-flavor berry – Hop

Latvia

Latvian State Forestresearch institute «Silava»

Planted in 2011, research focus on :

- Organic fertiliser (sludge waste water, wood ash, compost)

- Genetic variations

Latvia

• Tree species:

Poplar, Willow, Alnus spp, aspen,

Sweet cherry, lime, maple

• Plant species : perenials for seed collection

reed canary grass, lupin, galega

LatviaLatvian State Forest research institute «Silava»

Our goals:

• Establishment of demo sites

• Compiling knowledge and experience, improving competency

• Research: adaptation of different AF methods to our climate

• Lobby work

Projects

Main tools:

• AF is recognized in the Baltic states as practical approach of land managementthat provides alternative to traditional agricultural and forestry practices -effective use of resources; opportunities for rural development; improvedenvironment; climate change resilient, diversified economy.

• Legislative and political support from institutions and policy makers:• Improved support for trees on agricultural land

• AF as a landuse type, eligible for rural support

Our current activities:

1. First steps at establishing AF demo sites: meeting interested landowners• Field visits

• Collecting information for co-creation of AF design

• Employing participatory approach

So far 5 interested landowners/sites in Latvia and 1 in Estonia

Projects

Participatory mapping Objectives and resources identification

Projects

Soil sample observations

Projects

Field visits with landowners/managersProjects

Vegetation monitoring Projects

Future demo site in EstoniaProjects

Our current activities (2)1.

2. Exploring financing options and applying for relevant funds• LIFE program• NORDEN project• LEADER• Interreg, et al.

3. Establishing contacts and collaboration with other stakeholders• National : university, NGO, research center, consultance• Baltic regions : engaged network in Estonia• Nordic regions :WWF Denmark, Nordic Permaculture Institute, Swedish AF association• International : Agroof (France), Wervel (Belgium), EURAF partners (Poland), Regional network for sustainable Rural development (Russia), Geographical Society (Bellorussia)

4. Gathering knowledge related to our climate zone• Plant-trees associations• Seedling material => nursery in Sweden ?

Projects

Future activities

1. Creating a Latvian

or Baltic AF association• Pioneer movement of AF models

to create practice-oriented knowledge sharing space

• Legislation and policy leverageto improve the legislative and political support for AF

2. Writing and applying for a project that would• Conciliate nature conservation and agricultural production• Create a legislative framework for AF• Support the development of demo sites in Baltic states (finances, knowledge, after planting

support)• Create bridges with Nordic countries

Projects

Ideas of collaboration• AF NURSERYSharing knowledge and plant materials adapted to cold climate• KNOWLEDGE SHARINGExchanging best practices on AF farm design adapted to cold climate(farmers field trips, expert travel exchange)• JOINT RESEARCHBringing together our experts. (LV - nutrient leaching, impacts onanimal/plant ecology, biodiversity monitoring, habitat restauration methods, plant species winter hardiness and other)

Projects

Interested in a

joint LIFE project ?Are you curious about

a shared database of

plant association ?

… your

suggestions are

welcome

Thank You for Your attention!• Céline Huart – huart.cel@gmail.com

• Valters Kinna – valters.kinna@gmail.com

AnnexeInspirations from international congress

• Put Farmers in the middle, research provide options

• By investing in AF, you tick all the boxes (regarding subsidies at national level)

• AF is allowing variabilities of climate, it’s a buffering strategy

• AF could compensate 45% of agriculture GHG

• the farmers are the demonstration

• Trees don’t keep anything for themselves

• Dialoge is needed between society, science, policy