1. Handbook
  2. Subjects
  3. Farm Trees & Agroforestry

Farm Trees & Agroforestry (FRST90033)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)

You’re viewing the 2023 Handbook:
Or view archived Handbooks
Undergraduate programs will be delivered on campus. Graduate programs will mainly be delivered on campus, with dual-delivery and online options available to a select number of subjects within some programs.
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
You’re currently viewing the 2023 version of this subject

Overview

Availability
Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery
FeesLook up fees

This subject covers the principles and practices of integrating trees into the rural agricultural landscape for both conservation and profit. The farming community require trees and shrubs for shade and shelter, soil conservation, salinity control and aesthetics. Farmers can also produce commercial tree products such as timber, fuel, fodder, essential oils and food. Because farmers manage the majority of the Australian landscape governments, community groups and industry are increasingly working in partnership with them to grow trees for environmental services including carbon sequestration, biodiversity and downstream water quality.

Intended learning outcomes

By the end of the subject students should:

  • Have a working knowledge of farm planning and agroforestry diagnosis and design as tools for developing farm re-vegetation plans;
  • Have an understanding of the role of trees in providing for landowner, community and industry needs and aspirations;
  • Be able to develop technical design criteria for effective re-vegetation for resource conservation, agricultural production and commercial purposes;
  • Be able to measure and monitor the growth, productivity and environmental impact of forests on farms;
  • Be familiar with extension and development approaches for promotion of re-vegetation and forest management on farms;
  • Have an understanding of multipurpose tree research methodologies and economic evaluation; and,
  • Recognise the potential for trees on farms, both in Australia and overseas, to contribute to international development goals such as poverty elimination, human health, environmental protection and mitigating climate change.

Generic skills

In addition to learning specific skills that will assist students in their future careers in science, they will have the opportunity to develop generic skills that will assist them in any future career path. These include:

  • Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning and research
  • An ability to derive, interpret and analyse social, technical or economic information from primary and other sources
  • Capacity for creativity and innovation through the application of skills and knowledge
  • Ability to integrate information across a relevant discipline to solve problems in applied situations
  • Highly developed written communication skills to allow informed dialogue with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
  • Ability to plan work, use time effectively and manage small projects

Last updated: 31 January 2024