Earl Lefebvre

Marc Lefebvre began to put the conventional farming model in question since 1997, when he decided to stop tillage to reduce soil de-structuring and erosion. In the 2000s he involved himself in a program to reach a 80% of soil covered by vegetation, and began re-planting trees in hedges around his farm. He also decided to stop the production of sugar beet because it was too detrimental to soil structure. It was thanks to a program called AgricoBio, promoted by a local nature conservation institution, that Marc initiated his agroforestry projects with a clear objective of practicing a productive agroforestry. The farm began with hedges reconstruction since the 2000s, and in 2011, 3 hectares of flower strips were planted, along with 2,300 m of tree hedges. Later, several silvoarable plots were added to the farm, reaching 19,2 hectares, lines of trees associated with Marc’s crops. Finally, in 2014, Marc planted 17,36 hectares of Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) to produce woody biomass and use it for Ramial Chipped Wood (RCW) soil amendment or mulch, woodchips for fuel, etc.

• Marc Lefebvre is already witnessing first results of the implementation of these best agricultural practices with the eradication of soil erosion issues, enhancement of water quality, increase of biodiversity in the farm and beautification of the landscape.
• He also achieved to maintain his crop yields thanks to an efficient task organization, and increase his number of full-time employees.

Marc Lefebvre’s agroforestry system relies mainly on 2 criteria: interest for biodiversity and productivity. That’s why he chose to plant silvoarable and SRC plots, to add benefits of trees in the fields without decreasing crop yields, and also how he chose to plant hedges: to put in place ecological corridors for beneficial fauna to move more freely in his farm. He designed his agroforestry projects with the help of the team of the AgricoBio program and received European and local subsidies that financed 80% of the tree expenses.

Main skills needed:

• Knowledge of cover crops and no-till practices to optimize agroforestry practices
• Understand cycle of nutrients to plan tree plantings and cover crops sowing accordingly, and manage better plots’ fertility for the crops.

Description of used technics during establishing of agroforestry systems

For the silvoarable plot, established in 2012, 700 trees and 2200 shrubs were planted in lines on 19 hectares, meaning a 150 trees/ha density. Species on the lines were chosen for timbers (walnut, linden, maple trees…), for biomass production and biodiversity on the surrounding hedges (medlar, wild apple, dog rose, viburnum…). For the SRC plots, biomass trees were planted (willows, maple…). Soil has been sub-soiled and protection used to protect the trees against wild game.

Threats/Challenges

• Agroecology requires a good knowledge of nitrogen management and how to control weeds. White clover has been planted to mitigate the risk of domination by weeds on the tree lines in the silvoarable plots.
• Several young trees were damaged by landing of birds - perches and birdhouses were installed in the plots to avoid this risk.

Marc Lefebvre is very satisfied by the early results of the implementation of agroforestry in his farm. He plans to expand it and continues thinking ahead to improve the landscape in a rational way that will benefit the fauna and men. Agroforestry must be led with an economic logic to keep the financial balance of the farm and even improve it. Also, the implementation of the plots must be done gradually to anticipate new tasks organization and optimize workload. Future plans Marc Lefebvre plans to expand his SRC plots to produce more RWC and apply it in his fields to increase organic matter levels. He also plans to plant more white clover and manage it according to nitrogen mineralization cycles.

To take the transition step by step and limit the application of chemical products.