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Providing
land for forestry research, extension and development
Farmers are often asked by industry, government
and other organisations to provide land for the establishment
of farm forestry research trials or demonstration projects.
In these cases, farmers are effectively selling several other
benefits in addition to the use of the land. These may include:
• free access to the site
• a commitment to protect, and possibly manage, the trees
• a commitment to participating in field days and tours.
In some cases farmers are paid to present field days or conduct
tours based on demonstrations and research projects established
on their land. Farmers need to agree on how the site might be
used for field days and tours, as well as clarify expectations
about their attendance at, or contribution to, these events.
Many farmers don't always consider that, when they agree to
these projects, they are also ‘selling’ their support
for the projects and their credibility within the farming community.
In return, they might receive trees, labour and the expertise
required to establish and manage the forest. After most research
trials and demonstration projects, the tree products and services
remain the farmer’s property. The results from the research
often help farmers to improve their own forest management.
But there are risks, as well as benefits, for farmers who participate
in research and demonstration projects. Failures are common,
particularly when a range of species or planting patterns are
being tested. At the start of any project it is important that
the farmer, and the organisation involved, understand who is
responsible for managing the site and each party’s rights
to further use the site if the project stops or fails. In some
cases the organisation involved loses interest in the planting
or the key person/people involved move on, leaving the landowner
feeling neglected and wondering what to do with the trees.
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