The Australian Agroforestry Foundation

The Australian Agroforestry Foundation (AAF) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting farmers and land managers in Australia to integrate trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes. Established with the mission to provide education and extension services, the AAF helps landholders develop sustainable and multifunctional forests that serve both environmental and economic purposes.

Mission and Activities

AAF’s core commitment is to assist farmers in growing 'forests' that reflect their interests and aspirations while delivering broad benefits to the Australian community. These benefits include reducing land degradation, enhancing biodiversity habitats, supplying sustainably produced timber and non-wood tree products, and fostering a diversified and resilient rural sector.

A key element of its work is education and community engagement. Through various programs and networks, AAF promotes agroforestry practices that improve soil conservation, biodiversity, and agricultural productivity.

History and Programs

The foundation's team has been actively promoting farmer participation in multipurpose tree growing since 1993. A notable initiative is the Australian Master TreeGrower (MTG) program, established in 1996 by Rowan Reid, initially through the University of Melbourne. The MTG program offers education and extension support to landowners interested in using trees to enhance agricultural production, conserve soil, protect biodiversity, and generate income from tree products such as timber, food, seeds, and fuel.

Since its inception, the MTG program has delivered over 108 regional courses across all Australian states and territories, engaging more than 2,500 land managers and collaborating with over 50 partner organisations. The program’s participatory learning approach emphasizes shared experiences and group discussions rather than traditional expert-led tuition.

Recognition and International Reach

The MTG program received the Eureka Prize for Excellence in Environmental Education in 2000, acknowledging its outstanding contribution to environmental learning. Beyond Australia, the AAF has extended the MTG program internationally, facilitating courses in countries including Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Niger, and Indonesia, aiming to empower local agroforestry champions who can lead sustainable land management in their regions.

Impact

By fostering agroforestry, the Australian Agroforestry Foundation contributes to building sustainable and resilient farms and rural communities. Their efforts not only support individual farmers but also address broader concerns such as food security, soil and water quality, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation.

The Foundation continues to build a collaborative community of practitioners who share knowledge, improve skills, and advance collective understanding of agroforestry to create thriving landscapes across Australia and beyond.

[1] https://agroforestry.org.au/Main.asp?_=About+AAF [2] https://agroforestry.org.au [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/ea1ef6e0-39af-e811-a961-000d3ad24182/documents/b8f6ba56-667e-ec11-8d20-00224892206f [4] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/ea1ef6e0-39af-e811-a961-000d3ad24182 [5] https://beyondsubsistence.org.au/master-treegrower-program