Agroforestry Regional Knowledge Exchange Network (ARKx)
Demonstration Site Profile
Demonstration Site Name
Atkins' Acres Educational Farm
Demonstration Site Area
Millstadt, IL
Demonstration Site Contact Information
Kimberly Atkins
Agroforestry Practices Demonstrated
Food Forest, row crops out of service to plant pollinators/trees/raised beds
757-751-5965
Atkins' Acres Educational Farm
General Information
Agroforestry Profile
Size of each agroforestry practice
Geographic context
Rural
Open to contact regarding Agroforestry?
Yes
Land Tenure
Own
What species & products are being grown or produced in the agroforestry demo?
produce, pollinators, elderberry, various native trees, French Potager Jardin and more
What is the scale of production?
Do you use other non-agroforestry conservation practices?
IRAP for fishing in our pond
Total Site Size (acres)
17
Years in operation
3
Did you work with a Technical Service Provider or consultant for your design?
Year agroforestry systems established
2021
Visitors?
By appointment only
Demonstration Site Address
7101 State Route 158 Millstadt, IL
Did you receive any technical assistance for implementing your agroforestry demonstration?
Have you used grants or other financial assistance (cost share, etc.) to fund agroforestry?
Native seeds and plugs
Are you doing any marketing?
Who are you selling to? How are you selling? (CSA, farmers markets, distributors, etc.)
We donate all produce to food pantries. We do not sell anything.We plan to set up a farm stand to sell some cut flowers and produce this year to offset the cost of programs/seeds/plants.
Does your farm offer educational programs? If Yes, what type(s)?
We have 4-H, scouts, homeschools, public school and summer programs, garden tours, Frog Watch USA, IRAP, raised beds, pollinators, Jr Master Naturalist program, teach people how to be good stewards of the environment. We are new-ish and growing every month.
How did you get involved in agroforestry?
I am a Master Naturalist and Master Gardener, son is a Certified Arborist
What are your future plans?
Continue teacher others especially our youth.
Can you describe any of the barriers or obstacles that you've overcome in establishing and maintaining your agroforestry demonstration site? (ex. land access, financial challenges, labor, operation costs, etc. )
Time - we do all the work ourselves
Anything additional you want to share (i.e. economics, environmental, social impacts, etc.)