Agroforestry Regional Knowledge Exchange Network (ARKx)
Demonstration Site Profile
Demonstration Site Name
Nettle Valley Farm
Demonstration Site Area
Spring Grove, MN
Demonstration Site Contact Information
Dayna Burtness
Agroforestry Practices Demonstrated
SIlvopasture
16128121923
Nettlevalleyfarm.com
@NettleValleyFarm
General Information
Agroforestry Profile
Size of each agroforestry practice
50 acres of silvopasture (different phases of establishment)
Geographic context
Rural
Open to contact regarding Agroforestry?
Yes
Land Tenure
70 owned, 20 rented
What species & products are being grown or produced in the agroforestry demo?
Pollinator habitat, meat goats, cattle in the future
What is the scale of production?
Our pastured hog enterprise pays for our agroforestry efforts currently. This year we’ll finish 83 hogs on pasture and direct market them to families.
Do you use other non-agroforestry conservation practices?
Multi species cover crops. Reduced tillage.
Total Site Size (acres)
90
Years in operation
9
Did you work with a Technical Service Provider or consultant for your design?
Private consultant
Year agroforestry systems established
2016
Visitors?
By appointment only
Demonstration Site Address
23970 County Road 19, Spring Grove, MN 55974
Did you receive any technical assistance for implementing your agroforestry demonstration?
Private consultant
Have you used grants or other financial assistance (cost share, etc.) to fund agroforestry?
MN Ag Water Quality funding for brush mowing, Xerces Society for brush mowing and seeding
Are you doing any marketing?
Word of mouth, social media, earned media.
Who are you selling to? How are you selling? (CSA, farmers markets, distributors, etc.)
Families.
Does your farm offer educational programs? If Yes, what type(s)?
We host a Savanna Institute apprentice and also mentor thru WFAN
How did you get involved in agroforestry?
After learning about permaculture / restoration ag, I got interested in agroforestry in general in 2013.
What are your future plans?
More ruminants, stable or decreased pastured pig farming. Contract grazing potentially, also agritourism and farm stays.
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. )
Anything additional you want to share (i.e. economics, environmental, social impacts, etc.)