Agroforestry Regional Knowledge Exchange Network (ARKx)
Demonstration Site Profile
Demonstration Site Name
Balfour Farm
Demonstration Site Area
Pittsfield, ME
Demonstration Site Contact Information
Heather Donahue
Agroforestry Practices Demonstrated
SIlvopasture
2072133559
/Balfourfarm ; balfourfarm
General Information
Agroforestry Profile
Size of each agroforestry practice
10
Geographic context
Rural
Open to contact regarding Agroforestry?
Yes
Land Tenure
Own
What species & products are being grown or produced in the agroforestry demo?
Mixed forage and native forest
What is the scale of production?
We are a 12-22 milking cow dairy farm that produces cheese using all our milk on site. We also raise pigs and 300 laying hens
Do you use other non-agroforestry conservation practices?
Organic farming practices, rotational grazing
Total Site Size (acres)
10
Years in operation
13
Did you work with a Technical Service Provider or consultant for your design?
UMaine CoopExt Professor Jamie Garzon
Year agroforestry systems established
2023
Visitors?
By appointment only
Demonstration Site Address
461 webb rd Pittsfield Maine 04967
Did you receive any technical assistance for implementing your agroforestry demonstration?
UMaine CoopExt Professor Jamie Garzon
Have you used grants or other financial assistance (cost share, etc.) to fund agroforestry?
NE- DBIC grant funding for equipment lease, equipment install
Are you doing any marketing?
Yes
Who are you selling to? How are you selling? (CSA, farmers markets, distributors, etc.)
Farmers market, distributors, direct to retail stores
Does your farm offer educational programs? If Yes, what type(s)?
Just Maine Open Farm Day in July, and occasional school tours
How did you get involved in agroforestry?
Maine Soil Health network, and NEDBIC grant project
What are your future plans?
Establish additional acreage for heat stress relief for cattle
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. )
Weather has been a huge challenge this year during establishment- heavy and frequent rains made it difficult to work in the woods
Anything additional you want to share (i.e. economics, environmental, social impacts, etc.)