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  • EdgePerma, WA

    Find the updated profile on the new ARKx   ORGs  and   FARMS  pages. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact: Andrew Tuttle Andrew@edgeperma.com Agroforestry offerings: Curriculum Development- Advanced Virtual Tours of Agroforestry Farms About Edge Perma is a veteran-owned and woman-owned business dedicated to producing the most in-depth and comprehensive case studies available. Our mission is to revolutionize agricultural education. Our virtual farm tour formula allows you to explore a farm from every angle, learn from successful real-world examples, and accelerate the development of new regenerative farms.

  • LeeDer Farms; Alexander County, NC

    Find the updated profile on the new ARKx   ORGs  and   FARMS  pages. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact: Lee Holcomb - ljholcomb2583@gmail.com Agroforestry Acres: 5 ac Agroforestry Practice: Sheep Silvopasture Agroforestry Goals Our main goal was quick shade in our south facing pasture that had very little shade. We hope to achieve that with hybrid poplar. The other intended benefit was extending our grazing season with honey locust pods and persimmons in the fall. Other fodder species during the normal grazing season would be coppiced or pollarded hybrid willows and red mulberries. We have yet to coppice or pollard any species but hopefully will do that by season five of tree growth. Agroforestry summary We have established about 5 acres of silvopasture as a test plot for our Katahdin Sheep operation. We lacked shade in a predominantly cool season pasture and it was our most productive paddock. We planted five different types of bare root trees with tree tubes to see how successful the plantings would be in a well established cool season sod. We planted on the contour from existing terraces and went with a low density of about 25 trees per acre. In-row spacing was about 15 linear feet. In two years of drought we haven't had the full growth we would have liked but most of the plantings have survived and we look forward to the next 5-10 years to further develop our silvopasture knowledge. The main species planted were red mulberry, hybrid willow, american persimmon, thornless honey locust, and hybrid poplar. What trees and shrubs do you use in your agroforestry practice? As mentioned in other details we planted Red Mulberry, Hybrid Poplar, Hybrid Willow, American Persimmon, and Thornless Honey Locust species. Density was 25 trees per acre and planted on contour with old, existing terraces. Spacing between terraces averaged about 100 feet, and in-row spacing averaged 15 linear feet. 15 ft in row spacing was to accommodate larger farm equipment/trucks in the event we would utilize them in the future. For example, we utilized some beef manure being applied and this allowed for adequate spacing and no tree damage from spreading equipment. We started with low density to test how quickly we would get some shading effect. We may supplement fodder species at a later date in between rows as we capture cuttings from mulberries and willows.

  • Atkins’ Acres Educational Farm; Millstadt, IL

    Find the updated profile on the new ARKx   ORGs  and   FARMS  pages. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kimberly Atkins : Atkinsacres7@gmail.com Demonstration Farm open by appointment only Agroforestry established in: 2022 17 Acres of Food Forest, Raised bed, poor pantry garden, French Kitchen Demonstration Garden, pollinators, prairie restoration. Many varieties of trees, blackberries, fruit trees, herb gardens and vegetable gardens. Address: 7101 State Route 158 Millstadt, IL 62260 How did you get involved in agroforestry? As a means to teach others how to grow and be good stewards of the environment. Who are you selling to? How are you selling? (CSA, farmers markets, distributors, etc.) All donations to those in need What is the scale of production? Small but we expect a significant increase next year Does your farm offer educational programs? 4-H, garden tours, Boy and Girl Scouts, Master Gardener, Master Naturalist, U of I Extension, Homeschool groups, Jr Master Naturalist program. What are your future plans? Continue developing the farm for others to come learn about gardening, conservation and use for hiking and enjoying the environment. Atkins’ Acres Educational Farm @ Facebook

  • CT Edible Ecosystems

    Find the updated profile on the new ARKx   ORGs  and   FARMS  pages. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sven Pihl https://svenpihl.wixsite.com/mysite Agroforestry Designer Agroforester Technical Service Provider 4+ years of AF design to NRCS standards Areas of Expertise: Creative – Geospatial Design Specialist (GIS & CAD) Sven Pihl was Savanna Institute’s first Agroforestry Technical Service Provider and hired to assist Illinois farmers and landowners looking to implement Agroforestry systems. In that role, he became the Geospatial Design Specialist (GIS/CAD) for the Savanna Institute and the Technical Service Program. Prior to Savanna Institute, Pihl operated CT Edible Ecosystems as designer, educator and conference presenter throughout New England and now operates CT Edible Ecosystems nationally. Sven has 15 years of professional experience in permaculture, agroforestry, ecological design and site planning. He is an autodidact, and his self-directed education includes Permaculture, Landscape Design, CAD, GIS, Holistic Management, the Center for Agroforestry; Agroforestry Academy in 2015 and 2024, the Regrarians® REX training, and had audited by invitation the 682a Multifunction Carbon-Sequestering Agroforestry course at Yale; School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Sven is a member of the Association for Temperate Agroforestry (AFTA), has served on the New England/Mid-Atlantic Agroforestry Steering Committee, and now serves under “Creative” within the Agroforestry Coalition and on the Agroforestry Technical Assistance/Training Working Group.

  • 4H Memorial Camp Farm: Monticello, IL

    Find the updated profile on the new ARKx   ORGs  and   FARMS  pages. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact: Kaitie Adams kaitie@savannainstitute.org 618-694-2179 Savanna Institute, Non-profit https://www.savannainstitute.org/illinois/4h-memorial/ Visitors by appointment only 35 acres, est in 2020, leased, Alley Cropping At 4-H Memorial Camp in Monticello, IL, the Savanna Institute manages a 35-acre alley cropping demonstration farm in partnership with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and 4-H Memorial Camp. Established in 2020, the demonstration features rows of hardwood timber with alleys of annual row-crop rotation managed by a local partner, Lourash Farms. Learn more about research in progress in this video farm tour with Savanna Institute’s Kaitie Adams. What species & products are being grown or produced? Black Walnut (timber) Shagbark Hickory (timber) Swamp White Oak (timber) Eastern Redbud (habitat; timber production support) Smooth Alder (habitat; timber production support) River Birch (habitat; timber production support) Winterberry (habitat; timber production support) Chokecherry (habitat; timber production support) Shadblow Serviceberry (habitat; timber production support) Black Locust (timber) Grand Traverse Hazelnut (nut production) Have you used grants or other financial assistance (cost share, etc.) to fund agroforestry? Yes, from a federal agency, Yes, from a foundation or philanthropist: Private Foundation Support for partnership building and establishment, USDA SARE funding for staffing and education. Do you use other non-agroforestry conservation practices? Farm partner utilizes: CRP Pollinator Plots, low-till/no-till Does your farm offer educational programs? If Yes, what type(s)? Yes, field days, tours, presentations, and trainings 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. ) A report on barriers and opportunities for SI Demonstration Farms is currently in the planning stages Website: savannainstitute.org Facebook: facebook.com/SavannaInstitute YouTube: youtube.com/savannainstitute Instagram: instagram.com/savannainstitute/ Twitter: twitter.com/Savannainst LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/savannainstitute

  • Discovering Fern Hill Farm: A New Approach to Alley Cropping

    Find the updated profile on the new ARKx   ORGs  and   FARMS  pages. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Meet Lindsay Allen Welcome to Fern Hill Farm! I'm Lindsay Allen, and I’m excited to share my journey with you. Our farm is a vibrant 2-acre space dedicated to alley cropping. We started this innovative practice in 2023. Alley cropping is an exciting method that combines trees and crops, creating a sustainable ecosystem. You can reach me at fernhillfarmma@gmail.com or call me at (805) 666-9700, but remember, visits are by appointment only! What We Grow At Fern Hill Farm, we focus on a variety of delicious and nutritious plants. Our crops include: Chestnuts Quince Peaches Asian Pears Asparagus Rhubarb Honeyberries Black Raspberries Seasonal annual vegetables With such a diverse selection, we aim to provide fresh produce for our community and showcase the benefits of alley cropping. Funding and Support Starting a farm takes a lot of resources. Thankfully, we received invaluable support from Interlace Commons. They generously funded all the plant materials necessary for setting up our alley cropping system. This assistance has been instrumental in bringing our vision to life. If you want to learn more about their mission, visit Interlace Commons . The Benefits of Alley Cropping Alley cropping offers numerous advantages. It promotes biodiversity, improves soil health, and enhances water retention. By combining trees with crops, we create a symbiotic relationship. The trees provide shade and shelter for the crops, while the crops improve the soil’s fertility. This method helps reduce pests and diseases, leading to healthier plants. Overall, alley cropping represents a step towards sustainable agriculture. Sustainability in Agriculture Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Fern Hill Farm. We prioritize organic practices and avoid harmful chemicals. By focusing on the health of the soil, we ensure that future generations can enjoy the land's bounty. Additionally, our farming methods reduce erosion and improve water management. This approach not only benefits our crops but also supports local ecosystems. We believe that by taking care of the Earth, it will take care of us. Community Engagement Community is essential to Fern Hill Farm. We want to connect with you. We plan to host workshops and events to share our knowledge. These gatherings will be an opportunity for you to learn about sustainable practices and the benefits of alley cropping. Follow us on Instagram @fernhillfarm.ma for updates on events and farm activities. We love sharing our journey with our followers! Future Goals Looking ahead, we have big plans for Fern Hill Farm. We hope to expand our crop selection and explore new sustainable farming techniques. Additionally, we aim to create educational programs for schools and community groups. We want to inspire others to embrace sustainable agriculture. Building a community around our farm is vital. We believe that knowledge and resources should be accessible to everyone. That is why we are committed to sharing our experience and learning from others in the farming community. Get in Touch I invite you to reach out if you have questions or want to learn more about our farm. Whether you are interested in visiting us or simply want to chat about sustainable farming practices, I'm here for you. You can email me directly at fernhillfarmma@gmail.com or call (805) 666-9700. Thank you for your interest in Fern Hill Farm! Together, we can make a difference in our food systems and environment. Conclusion At Fern Hill Farm, we are redefining agriculture through alley cropping. With the support of community partners like Interlace Commons and a commitment to sustainability, we strive to create a better future for our land and ourselves. Join us on this journey, and let's grow together!

  • Firefly Truffles; Franklinville, NC

    Find the updated profile on the new ARKx   ORGs  and   FARMS  pages. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Farmers Andrew Graziano - graz@fireflytruffles.com Agroforestry Practices Forest Farming Alley Cropping Riparian Buffer Agroforestry Acres 33 Years in Agroforestry 3 Farm visits: By appointment only Agroforestry Summary At Firefly Truffles, we’re building a veteran-owned, family-run truffle farm rooted in agroforestry and long-term land stewardship. Established in March 2022, our operation is located on 32 acres in central North Carolina and focuses on cultivating bianchetto truffles using truffle-inoculated loblolly pines. Our approach integrates truffle production into a managed forest system designed to enhance ecological health while generating long-term agricultural value. Agroforestry enables us to go beyond traditional farming by restoring soil health, improving water retention, and promoting biodiversity on historically underutilized land. We’re incorporating soil sensors and conservation practices to collect meaningful data and measure impact over time. By blending scientific methods with practical land management, we aim to demonstrate how specialty crops like truffles can be part of a resilient, regenerative agricultural future. Agroforestry Goals Our agroforestry vision is to produce high-value truffles while restoring the land and building a resilient, multi-generational farm. We’re leveraging agroforestry not only to cultivate bianchetto truffles through a managed loblolly pine system, but also to conserve soil, improve water retention, and protect long-term ecological health. The goal is to create a system that’s financially sustainable, environmentally regenerative, and deeply rooted in land stewardship. In addition to truffles, we’re exploring complementary crops such as fruit orchards, berry bushes, and Camellia sinensis (tea) to diversify income streams and enhance overall ecosystem function. Agroforestry also offers a smart financial strategy—we are taking advantage of local and federal tax incentives, conservation programs, and grant funding to reduce risk and support long-term investment. Our plan is to expand thoughtfully, integrate soil and climate data for adaptive management, and eventually serve as a model for veteran-led, conservation-forward agriculture in the Southeast. Practices and Production Our core agroforestry practice is a 2-acre truffle orchard planted with 1,100 loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda ) trees inoculated with Tuber borchii (bianchetto truffle). This commercial-scale orchard is laid out in a grid to optimize airflow, maintenance access, and truffle formation. The remaining 31 acres of our land were recently harvested and are now undergoing a thoughtful reforestation effort designed to enhance ecological function, protect water resources, and support long-term forest health. The timing of the timber harvest was intentional. It allowed us to remove degraded stands, establish permanent firebreaks, and implement waterway protections before replanting. Reforestation is focused on erosion control, improving biodiversity, and rebuilding a resilient canopy with both ecological and agricultural value. Agroforestry supports this transition by blending conservation with production—helping us manage the land holistically while also qualifying for cost-saving programs like land-use tax deferments and conservation grants. Site Details and Background The property is located in the rolling foothills of central North Carolina, in a rural area experiencing steady growth and development pressure. The land features gently sloped terrain with a mix of upland and lowland characteristics. A small creek runs through the property, feeding into the Deep River and eventually the Cape Fear River, making watershed protection a key priority in our management approach. The land was held by the same family for over 60 years before we purchased it in 2022. While its full history isn’t known, there are signs of former livestock use, including fencing remnants and pasture regrowth. Prior to our ownership, the property was managed primarily as timberland. Following a complete harvest, we are now reforesting the site with a mix of ecological and productive goals in mind—establishing a truffle orchard, restoring forest cover, and implementing conservation practices that protect soil, water, and wildlife habitat. Agroforestry Assets, Challenges and Support One of our early challenges was attempting to manage the forest understory by hand—only to realize the scale and condition of the land made that approach unsustainable. The site had a dense mix of native and non-native plants, with varied forest health across the acreage. That experience pushed us to take a more strategic approach to land management, including mechanical clearing, firebreak installation, and long-term reforestation planning. We’ve been fortunate to receive support along the way, including a 2025 grant from the Farmer Veteran Coalition, which has helped fund our agroforestry efforts. We’ve also participated in agricultural training and mentorship programs through local universities like the University of Mount Olive. Active collaboration with other North Carolina truffle growers and fellow veteran farmers has been critical to our progress—wider networking with the agroforestry community will only serve to strengthen our work. The more knowledge we share, the better the outcomes for all of us committed to working the land responsibly. In this space, shared knowledge is as important as any tool or piece of equipment. Do you use other non-agroforestry conservation practices or other programs to help your Agroforestry Project?  Yes, we actively incorporate non-agroforestry conservation practices to support and enhance our agroforestry goals. Following a full-timber harvest, we implemented erosion control measures, established permanent firebreaks, and began restoring riparian buffers along the property’s creek, which feeds into the Deep River and Cape Fear River watershed. These practices are critical to protecting water quality and preventing runoff as we reforest the land and establish long-term tree crops. We are also participating in programs that support conservation-minded land management, such as working lands tax deferments and educational initiatives through local agricultural institutions. Additionally, our engagement with the Land Ethic Mentorship program is helping us adopt a broader conservation ethic that informs every aspect of our operation—from planting decisions to wildlife habitat protection. These layered practices work hand-in-hand with our agroforestry model to build a more resilient and regenerative farm. Links:   https://www.instagram.com/fireflytruffles/

  • Detroit Flight Path Farm; Romulus, MI

    Find the updated profile on the new ARKx   ORGs  and   FARMS  pages. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact name Kim Williams-Guillén - dtwflightpath@gmail.com Agroforestry practices Silvopasture Windbreaks Alley Cropping Agroforestry Acreage 3 Years in Agroforestry Since 2018 Agroforestry Summary We have a 3 acre system integrating about 15 different species of (mostly native) fruit and nut trees where we raise pigs, poultry, and sheep. Our monogastric livestock feed on the fruits and nuts and also on our multispecies pasture. Our sheep graze the pasture but also browse some of our agroforestry trees (and reduce the mowing around the trees). Part of our agroforestry plot is in an alley crop configuration, the other half is in a series of smaller clusters interspersed in pasture (same numbers/density of trees as they alley crop system but a different spatial configuration meant to more closely resemble patchy distribution of trees in a savanna). The trees provide shade and cover for livestock and habitat for wildlife. We plan to more actively harvest and market tree products in future. We also have an older fruit orchard and a 7-acre oak forest where we hope to establish some forest farming (mushrooms, maybe run pigs out there) in the future. Agroforestry Goals Our agroforestry is mostly experimental at this point, and is somewhat inspired by the diversified agroforestry systems used by smallholder farmers in Central America. Our primary motivation in establishing agroforestry was to conserve and protect habitat, but we also see it as critical adaptation to climate change and as a long-term strategy for profitability for small diversified farming. Practices and Production We have planted a mixture of shrubbier, faster growing "understory" species and larger, slower growing "canopy" species. Species planted include: Aronia, Chestnut (mostly American or American hybrid, but also some Chinese and European), Crabapple, Elderberry, Hazelnut (hybrids), Hickory (shagbark, shellbark; I don't think any of the pecans survived), Mulberry, Oak (various including black, white, burr, chinkapin), American Persimmon, American Plum, Red mulberry, Redbud, Alleghany Serviceberry, Black walnut. Site Details and Background We purchased the property in 2017. Previously it had been in the same family for over 100 years and was used to grow a variety of vegetable and row crops. The land is very flat (was the shore of Lake Erie 13K years ago), loamy sand. Located a couple miles south of Detroit Wayne Metro airport, the area was once all farmland and is being increasingly gobbled up by conversion to housing developments/country estates. Agroforestry Assets, Challenges and Support  Assets: local conservation districts, nurseries like Oikos, Cold Stream, Forest Ag nursery. Challenges: access to funding (just paid out of pocket, at that time there wasn't NRCS support for agroforestry, as far as I know). I had previously done long term research on agroforestry systems in Latin America so I had a fair amount of knowledge going in. Do you use other non-agroforestry conservation practices or other programs to help your Agroforestry Project?  We have a CSP contract from 2024 which has been very helpful in providing support for the practices we installed at our own cost. Are you be willing to be contacted by people who are interested in agroforestry? Yes Are you open or available for visitors? By appointment only Links to website, social media, etc., if applicable. www.dtwflightpath.com

  • Forest Farms; Stafford VA

    Find the updated profile on the new ARKx   ORGs  and   FARMS  pages. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact name Koorosh Farchadi Email forestfarmsva@gmail.com Farm or Agroforestry Project name Forest Farms Agroforestry practices Forest Farming Silvopasture Alley Cropping Riparian Buffers Agroforestry Summary The combined 51-acre plot consists of a central road through the central areas of the farm, plus a section of Horsepen Run creek which flows into the Rappahannock River from the west and south.  The topography is varied, with many hills and valleys too. This provides for some areas of well-drained soil and the ability to add water features beyond an existing one-third-acre pond to slow, catch, and clean water before it enters the Chesapeake Bay watershed.  The project has the potential to create ecosystem services that benefit communities downriver, including cleaning water for down-river communities.  The neighborhood itself is rapidly changing from a farming community to ex-urban cluster sprawl. In 2023, at least six new homes were built on cleared three-acre lots. At the current rate of construction, natural areas and ecosystems in the region will become further segmented. Agroforestry Goals We hope our emergent concept of eco-friendly land management will become a model for other fast developing areas in Virginia, and beyond. We’re designing the concept to preserve and maintain a sustainable ecosystem for local food production, educational, and leisure purposes, while also developing an onsite community with a close relationship with the land. Our goal is that Forest Farms blossoms into an innovative agribusiness incubator for both locals and visitors to this region.  We strive to develop the project with minimal damage to this pristine area. Are you be willing to be contacted by people who are interested in agroforestry? Yes Are you open or available for visitors? By appointment only - farm/business Links to website, social media, etc., if applicable. forestfarmsva.com

  • Choiniere Family Farm; Highgate Center, VT

    Find the updated profile on the new ARKx   ORGs  and   FARMS  pages. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact name Mathieu Choiniere Email matt.choiniere94@gmail.com Farm or Agroforestry Project name Choiniere Family Farm Agroforestry practices Silvopasture Agroforestry Acreage 4.5 acres in 2025, Planning on an additional 3.5-4 acres in 2026 Agroforestry Summary Chestnut silvopasture interplanted with willow and poplar. Rows are spaced 40' apart with trees spaced 20' in row. This is our dry cow pasture for our dairy farm, and we are hoping to give the girls some much-needed relief from the sun on these hot summer days. The willow and poplar are for quick shade and fodder while we are hoping to achieve a nut yield from the chestnuts to supplement our dairy income. Agroforestry Goals  We are hoping to reduce our feed expense by allowing the cows to graze comfortably even on hotter days and to give our cool season grasses some relief from the hot summer sun and reduce the summer slump in forage production. Another goal is to supplement Practices and Production  Our initial planting contains 120 chestnuts interplanted with some willow and poplar. The chestnuts are to provide shade and a crop of chestnuts while the willow and poplar are there for quick shade and fodder. We may pollard them eventually for more fodder production. Site Details and Background The land has been owned by our family since 1945 and has been in permanent pasture since at least 2000. Prior to that it was used for corn. The site is sandy and well drained. We have amended the soil with lime over the years so that the pH is roughly 6.7, but we plan on applying sulfur in coming years to slightly acidify the soil. Agroforestry Assets, Challenges and Support We have received grants to plant the existing 4.5 acre Silvopasture as well as a CAGP grant for the expansion in 2026 Are you be willing to be contacted by people who are interested in agroforestry? Yes Are you open or available for visitors? By appointment only - farm/business Links to website, social media, etc., if applicable. https://www.facebook.com/ChoiniereFamilyFarm

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