Farm forestry in Australia: review of a national program

Abstract

Australia, like many other countries, is increasingly turning to farm forestry for its potential to address important economic, environmental and social issues at both the regional and national levels. However, despite its apparent multiple benefits, farm forestry adoption remains low, with less than 3% of all trees planted by farmers during recent years being for commercial timber production. The authors have recently completed an evaluation of the Australian government's Farm Forestry Program (FFP). That evaluation and a review of current literature are used to provide an assessment of the FFP. While the logic underpinning the program is sound, the authors identified a number of key findings from the evaluation and recommended areas for improvement. The FFP combined 26 projects to form an appropriate mix of community development and research activities and has made an important contribution to regional farm forestry. Despite important gains made by the FFP, viable regional farm forestry industries have not emerged. Whilst projects made a strong contribution to raising awareness of farm forestry, projects lacked a systematic approach to developing landholder knowledge and skills. Large numbers of demonstration sites were established with inadequate consideration given to monitoring, evaluation and dissemination of findings.