Agroforestry Regional Knowledge Exchange Network (ARKx)
Demonstration Site Profile
Demonstration Site Name
Wild Geese Farm
Demonstration Site Area
Rushford
Demonstration Site Contact Information
Lynn Bliven
Agroforestry Practices Demonstrated
Windbreaks, Riparian Buffer, SIlvopasture, Monarch Habitat
716-244-0290
Wild Geese Farm, LLC
General Information
Agroforestry Profile
Size of each agroforestry practice
9 acres
Geographic context
Rural
Open to contact regarding Agroforestry?
Yes
Land Tenure
Own
What species & products are being grown or produced in the agroforestry demo?
Honey Locust, hybrid willow, shrub willow, hybrid poplar, persimmon, mulberry, apple, maple
What is the scale of production?
Hereford Cattle10-12 cow/calf pairs; 20-25 Katahdin ewes.
Do you use other non-agroforestry conservation practices?
Rotational grazing cattle & sheep.
Total Site Size (acres)
52
Years in operation
32
Did you work with a Technical Service Provider or consultant for your design?
attended Trees for Grazier workshop Fall 2023
Year agroforestry systems established
2024
Visitors?
By appointment only
Demonstration Site Address
8499 Agett Rd Franklinville, NY 14737
Did you receive any technical assistance for implementing your agroforestry demonstration?
attended Trees for Grazier workshop Fall 2023
Have you used grants or other financial assistance (cost share, etc.) to fund agroforestry?
Privately funding to start, I have applied for grant to expand acreage to be planted.
Are you doing any marketing?
yes
Who are you selling to? How are you selling? (CSA, farmers markets, distributors, etc.)
Primarily sell breeding stock, small amount freezer trade beef & lamb direct to consumer, local livestock auctions for non-breeding animals.
Does your farm offer educational programs? If Yes, what type(s)?
yes, pasture walks
How did you get involved in agroforestry?
Through my job as Extension Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension Allegany County
What are your future plans?
Continue to explore options for my farm acreage.
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. )
Finances and labor were barriers to starting project however I have decided to do what I can to get started and will expand, improve planting as resources become available. Access to the idea planting stock is the biggest barrier, I know I'm currently planting less than optimal stock for feed sources but needed to start somewhere. This of course adds to cost of planting as I will need to replace some of the stock once I'm able to identify which trees will serve purpose and those that i don't want long term in my plantation. I am hoping to access some grant funding to enhance what I can accomplish on my own.
Anything additional you want to share (i.e. economics, environmental, social impacts, etc.)
I'm hoping the silvopasture project will improve wet areas within my pasture system and out compete sedges which have impacted growth of desired forage species. I would like to be able to show economic impact to farm finances, anticipating that trees will provide increase home grown feed reducing the amount of forage we need to purchase.