We planted one parcel in March 2023 with a grant from Contour Lines (www.contourlines.org/USA). We expanded to another parcel in 2024. We have planted over 5,273 trees on a system of berms and swales. The berms and swales helped us establish our trees with a low amount of labor/expense. The swales also capture rainwater and hold organic material, and the berms serve as a nice dry decompacted raised bed that is ideal for tree growth. We planted a high density of black locust for their shade and nitrogen fixing capabilities. In year 3 we are starting to harvest the trees for mulch. We will eventually harvest them for high end firewood and then organic fence posts. We planted a diversity of fruit and nut trees including mulberry and elderberry. We also have cultivars of asian pear, and figs.

We converted a degraded hay field into an agroforestry system partnering with a grant from Contour Lines (www.contourlines.org/USA). This site was designed to establish a tree canopy with minimal cost. We chose a dense planting of black locust for their nitrogen fixing capabilities. The plan is to thin these support trees as needed for mulch, high value firewood, and eventually fence posts for organic farms. In addition we have planted red mulberry, various fig cultivars, and elderberries for value added products.