Introduction

Is agroforestry a good fit for my farm? What can we grow on our site? How long will it take to start selling products? Where do we put the trees?

This series takes you step-by-step — from assessing site suitability & designing your layout, to correctly planting and caring for your perennial crops in our Northeast climate. Get organized, get inspired, and get connected in the exciting world of agroforestry!

These articles are the product of a collaboration between Regenerative Design Group (RDG) and NOFA/Mass, funded by a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant. The three-year project (2022-2025) included support for a peer-to-peer cohort of beginning and existing agroforestry farmers in Massachusetts, new materials for consumer education, and this guide to kickstarting temperate agroforestry implementation at any scale.

The following series outlines best practices for designing and planting your own commercial or residential agroforestry planting. The integration of trees into diverse crop and livestock systems is more common in warmer tropical and subtropical climates. In the Northeast, our temperate climate and existing forest resources pose unique challenges and opportunities. While agroforestry systems have been in practice for hundreds of thousands of years by indigenous land stewards around the world, many of the principles are now becoming more accessible and attractive to a new generation of farmers concerned about agricultural sustainability and resilience.

The topics covered are:

1. Goals Articulation – What do you hope to accomplish with your agroforestry project?
2. Site Assessment – What are the resources, opportunities, and constraints of the site?
3. Business Planning – How do you decide what to produce?  What infrastructure and financing will make it possible?
4. Layout and Field Prep – Where do you put the trees?
5. Tree Planting – What are the best practices for getting trees off to a good start?
6. Management and Seasonal Care – How do care for an agroforestry planting over the long haul?

The information comes from many years of RDG’s experience assisting new and experienced growers in kickstarting their agroforestry projects. While agroforestry is an extremely diverse set of practices, this guide is best suited for projects producing perennial crops for human or livestock consumption. There are many other benefits to implementing agroforestry beyond production: enhanced biodiversity, improved soil health, increased water retention and infiltration, reduced erosion, decreased vulnerability to climate shocks, and overall happier humans and livestock!

Start planning your agroforestry project today!  With some careful consideration and a few tips and tricks, you will be well on your way to agroforestry success (which you’ll reap in about 5-10 years). Below is a short collection of videos and engaging resources to further inspire you with real-world examples from agroforestry farms across the Northeast and Midwest. Have fun!

• Farming with Trees – YouTube
• Agroforestry Webinar Library
• Savanna Institute – YouTube
• Mizzou Agroforestry – YouTube
• Forest Farming – YouTube
• Go Nuts Monthly Call & Agroforestry Resources – YouTube
• Cornell Agroforestry – Silvopasture – YouTube
• CISA Climate Change and Farming | Agroforestry and Silvopasture – YouTube
• Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Agroforestry Grants
• Agroforestry Photos and Videos | National Agroforestry Center
• Silvopasture | Virginia Cooperative Extension