The federal role in providing trees to farmers can be traced back to the early 1900s and the need to help people immigrating to Canada. If you can imagine, early settlers arrived here to find a barren land without trees and exposed to the elements. Many plants brought from the old country were no match to the extreme cold, heat waves and often relentless wind.

In 1901, the Government of Canada established a tree nursery program at Indian Head dedicated to researching, cultivating and supplying these new prairie farmers with trees and shrubs adaptable to the climate. These trees and shrubs were used to create shelterbelts to protect farmers’ homes, livestock and land from the harsh prairie weather.
Since that time, more than 650 million evergreen and deciduous tree and shrub seedlings have been distributed by the Indian Head facility. The passage of time, however, has meant changes and adaptation to farming practices, and the tree nursery has had to undergo changes as well. The facility is now called the Agroforestry Development Centre and much of the focus has turned to research.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) announced last spring that while it intends to turn the Prairie Shelterbelt Program over to the private sector, it will continue to develop agroforestry science, technology and genetic materials at the site in Indian Head. This research will help ensure the future sustainability of the agricultural land and improve the competitive position of the agriculture sector.

On-going studies are investigating how agroforestry benefits agro-ecosystems by protecting water and soil, sequestering carbon, and enhancing biodiversity and crop productivity. Tree improvement research concentrates on developing superior, genetically diverse varieties that are hardy and well-adapted to environmental extremes.

Researchers are also studying key factors affecting the seedling performance, health, growth and function of trees and shrubs. Innovative and environmentally sound agroforestry management practices are developed by studying nursery management, environmental stresses, nutrition, pests, diseases and vegetative competition.

The core research program is located at the Agroforestry Development Centre in Indian Head with collaborative projects at locations across Canada.

For more information on the Agroforestry Development Centre, visit the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada website at www.agr.gc.ca and type Agroforestry Development Centre in the search feature.

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The audio version of Garry's March 25, 2013 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here