USDA grant awarded to SFA’s College of Forestry and Agriculture for conservation project

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Stephen F. Austin State University's Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture was awarded a Conservation Innovation Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture to assist in the creation of a demonstration area for climate-smart agricultural practices.

The $417,493 grant will support the implementation of beneficial agricultural practices involving silvopasture, the deliberate integration of trees and grazing livestock operations on the same land, and biochar, a substance made from the burning of wood in an oxygen-limited environment. Applying biochar to silvopasture can benefit livestock production and the overall environment.

"Biochar will be used both in traditional pastures and silvopasture to improve soil health, structure, nutrient holding capacity, pH balance and carbon sequestration, and plays a significant role in ensuring the sustainability of agricultural practices," said Jason Grogan, research associate in the College of Forestry and Agriculture. "In addition to the other many benefits, biochar also increases crop productivity and has the opportunity for carbon sequestration on agricultural lands."

Silvopasture has the potential to increase carbon sequestration, reduce nutrient and sediment runoff, improve pollinator and wildlife habitats, and reduce heat stress to cattle from shade provided by flourishing trees.

Forestry and Agriculture students have worked with faculty members to gain hands-on experiences provided by the silvopasture demonstration area. Through laboratory and work-study activities, students have taken part in native grass planting, woody vegetation control and unmanned aerial vehicle use for tree survival and health monitoring.

SFA's project is one of 53 projects that the USDA is supporting in an effort to improve the environment and agricultural production. In total, the USDA is investing $90 million in Conservation Innovation Grants.

"The awarded funds will be used to purchase equipment and materials and pay labor costs to implement numerous climate-smart agricultural practices that ultimately will result in improving the environmental footprint of the Todd Agricultural Research Center while also increasing productivity," said Grogan.

The project will serve as a resource to inform local agricultural producers, SFA students and others about the advantages of biochar and native forage utilization.

Visit the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture website or more information about forestry at SFA.