Agroforestry Regional Knowledge Exchange Network (ARKx)
Demonstration Site Profile
Demonstration Site Name
Brines Farm
Demonstration Site Area
Whitmore Lake, MI
Demonstration Site Contact Information
Shannon Brines
Agroforestry Practices Demonstrated
Windbreaks, Riparian Buffer, Alley Cropping, Forest Farming
734-926-5463
BrinesFarm
General Information
Agroforestry Profile
Size of each agroforestry practice
2 acre installations and up
Geographic context
Rural
Open to contact regarding Agroforestry?
Yes
Land Tenure
Own
What species & products are being grown or produced in the agroforestry demo?
lots of diversity including chestnut, hazelnut, pecan, hickory, walnut, serviceberry, elderberry, honeyberry, blueberry, apples, and more
What is the scale of production?
still pretty small
Do you use other non-agroforestry conservation practices?
yes
Total Site Size (acres)
90
Years in operation
20
Did you work with a Technical Service Provider or consultant for your design?
Year agroforestry systems established
some on 10 acre site since 2004, rest on 80 acre site since 2012
Visitors?
By appointment only
Demonstration Site Address
6384 Walsh Rd, Whitmore Lake, MI 48189
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?
Are you doing any marketing?
mostly work of mouth and constantly at farmers market
Who are you selling to? How are you selling? (CSA, farmers markets, distributors, etc.)
farmers market and CSA and tree/plant shows or expos
Does your farm offer educational programs? If Yes, what type(s)?
not formerly but have had university groups, NGO groups, and Conservation District field days on site
How did you get involved in agroforestry?
Always a tree person since childhood
What are your future plans?
Continue installations including things we are liking at greater scale
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. )
land access: bought a parcel that already had a conservation easement on it
Anything additional you want to share (i.e. economics, environmental, social impacts, etc.)