The Business Case for Black Locust Agroforestry

Black locust has deep roots in American history. From the pole wood and firewood of indigenous peoples, to farmers’ fenceposts, to the naval warships of 1812, it’s been a mainstay. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is a fast-growing rot-resistant hardwood, and today it presents an exciting opportunity for farmland owners and operators. It’s a superior alternative to pressure-treated wood, and a non-commodity with ample opportunities for added-value, making for attractive economics in the timber market.

The ecological case for locust is also very good. The tree fixes nitrogen, can improve soil health, and reduces NPK runoff. Its large white flowers support native pollinators and honeybees (locust honey is phenomenal). Black locust heartwood is also extremely dense, and given its exceptional growth rate, the tree sequesters a great deal of durable carbon.

Farms can plant black locust strategically to create windbreaks, riparian buffers, or silvopasture — providing benefits to both crops and livestock.

It is important to differentiate improved clones of black locust from conservation grade seedlings. Clones grow straight like a flag pole, and seedlings end up curving significantly (pictured below). Straight sawlogs yield more wood products. For an in-depth discussion on black locust genetics, refer to our previous article.

Conservation Grade

Conservation Grade

Improved Clones

Improved Clones

Today we’ll look at the market opportunities for timber production, elaborate on the co-benefits these trees bring to farmland, and run through how to get started with black locust.

Market Opportunities for Black Locust

Black locust can be attractive to those who own, operate or invest in farmland. Timber generally has a high cash yield and is low risk. For this species in particular, we can expect a best-case 30 year internal rate of return (IRR) of 16%. That’s assuming 16-20 years until the first harvest, depending on geography. Below is an example illustrating the financials over a 35 year period comparing two scenarios: Growing just hay vs. growing hay and planting black locust in an alley cropping system. The visualization was built using economic forecasting from Overyield.

Use Cases

Black locust is naturally rot resistant, which makes it fantastic for a wide range of outdoor applications:

• Decking

• Fence posts

• Docks

• Outdoor Furniture

• Railroad ties

• Playgrounds

Black locust is a superior alternative to chemically treated lumber, and is a cost-effective substitute for other rot-resistant hardwoods such as teak, mahogany, and ipê. It can be used in a variety of building applications, and in some cases can even be a substitute for stone or metal.

Example: The Decking Market

The global market for wooden decking was estimated at $7.6 Billion in 2022, and is projected to reach $9.6 Billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3%. The U.S. has been the leading consumer of decks in recent years, with construction of new homes increasing by 9.8% in February 2023. Black locust is well-suited for this use case, given its rot resistance. Decks built with black locust can last 30+ years, compared to pressure treated pine at 10+ years. 

Example: Substitute for Teak

In 2021, the US imported 45,000 metric tons, or 19.8 million board feet (BFT) of teak — a $80-160 million annual market value ($4-8 per BFT for imported teak). Black locust is sold around $4-$6 per BFT: domestic supply could feasibly offset demand for imports, and new domestic production could easily satisfy a percentage of global teak demand. China imported $41 million of sawn teak lumber in 2012, and India imported $592 million of teak furniture in the same year. 

The State of Supply Today

To get a handle on current U.S. black locust production, it would cover an equivalent of 33,000 acres if current supply were to come from plantation silvopasture. Black locust is a common tree, and there exist a lot more black locust stands than are harvested. But high-quality sawlogs are not common. Sawmill recovery, i.e. how much lumber you get out of a log, is low, because wild-grown black locust is too often forked, branched, and curvy. Consequently, there is a massive opportunity to grow high-quality supply. Improved genetics and diligent pruning are imperative.

Where would we grow those trees? 

Our research shows these regions (among others) have suitable soil and weather conditions. Black locust grows well in well-drained soil, and needs ample precipitation in summer. It is mildly drought tolerant, but dry conditions will increase pest pressure. The tree can grow next to waterways, but is not tolerant of flooding or wet feet.

Ecological Benefits to Farmland

Timber is just one dimension of economic benefit to consider. Revenue from wood products generates a cash yield, and black locust, when properly managed, provides a host of benefits to farming and grazing operations along the way:

• Soil stabilization

• Shade for animals

• Nitrogen fixation: supports growth for interplanted forage and row crops

• Attracts and supports pollinators

• Prevents excess runoff to surrounding bodies of water

Agroforestry is defined as the intentional integration of trees and farming.
Here are a few ways we have seen or worked with black locust on farmland:

Silvopasture

Silvopasture with black locust provides shade for grazing animals, reducing heat stress in hotter months and wind chill in colder months — improving livestock well being. The wood harvested can later be used for fenceposts. We’ve published research on silvopasture systems, which black locust was a key part of. 

Windbreaks

Black locust's rapid growth makes it an ideal choice for windbreaks. Strategically planted, it helps mitigate wind erosion, protects livestock, and creates a favorable microclimate for cereals, fruit, and vegetables. The photos to the right depict hybrid poplar windbreaks, but the concept is the same.

Forest Plantations

This application for black locust prioritizes timber over benefits to other crops or livestock. It can be suitable for sub-prime land in some cases, but should be approached with caution due to pest pressure in single-species stands. Plantations should be small, and ideally broken up with other tree species.

Riparian Buffers

Though black locust does not tolerate wet feet or flooding, not all stream sides consist of saturated soil, and these riparian zones can make an excellent place for black locust timber production. The permanent ground cover that the trees provide will slow and absorb nutrient runoff, mitigate erosion, and shade the water already in the stream – all of which supports fish and other aquatic life.

How to Grow Black Locust

Establishing black locust is fairly easy because of its growth rate and adaptability to various soil conditions. Growing these trees from seed is economically viable, but far less profitable and desirable compared to starting with improved clones. Here we’ll outline what we’ve learned about selecting genetics and share notes on management practices.

Selecting genetics

Our selection of improved black locust genetics focused on two things: straighter growth form and higher growth rates. Straight trees, often known as shipmast or pinnate, yield more milled lumber per tree, and higher quality lumber than wood from a curved or forked tree. In our work to date, we’ve selected a clone which we’ve called “Daybreak,” that exhibits a straight growth form and a moderately high growth rate. It is currently outperforming the Steiner Group black locusts in our trial in New York State by an estimated 50-60%. There are other elite clones available, namely Silvanus Forestry’s Turbo Obelisk, and we’ll continue to share our progress with the community of farmers and foresters interested in working with this species. 

General recommendations for Black Locust management

Different genetics necessitate different management, but the same principles can be applied across most contexts.

Starting with proper site selection is always important. Look for areas with moderately-drained to well-drained soil, with at minimum 30 inches to either the water table or a restrictive layer. 

Planting into beach sand or construction sand is not likely to be viable in North America, and 16 inches of rain during the growing season is necessary. The droughty summers of the Pacific Northwest are usually a no-go.

There are generally three management components important to success with Robinia:

1. Plant in loose, not-compacted soil. Silvanus Forestry highly recommends using an auger and not a tree planter, with the crown of the tree 7-12 inches below the soil line. 

2. Control grass competition. Robinia is sensitive to herbicide, and thus cultivating next to the tree row in the early years is the best option. Managers will often mow instead of cultivating due to cost sensitivity, but this is an inferior management practice.

3. Prune your trees. This is the highest value added activity, and is easy to learn. For those unfamiliar with timber tree pruning, it’s much more easier than pruning fruit trees, and is much more intuitive.

Threats from pests

Black locust’s main pest is the locust borer (Megacyllene robiniae). It is not present in Hungary, but we do have to deal with them here in the United States. These insects can maim and deform drought-stressed low-vigor trees. However, in the right soils and with the right management, we can prevent detrimental effects. The Utah State University Extension provides a helpful overview of the locust borer, which highlights the need for the management practices we outline above.

What We’ve Learned from Working With Black Locust

Funding is Necessary 

Although these trees generate significant returns, the upfront costs are often too high for farms to plant on their own. Financial support is essential to cover initial investment costs. Farms can tap into available capital sources through public funding if implementing strategies like alley cropping, silvopasture, or windbreaks. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded $36 million to The Nature Conservancy, Propagate, and other partners to fund a 5-year project to advance these agroforestry practices which provide healthy, long-term agricultural production while reducing dependence on external inputs.

Get a free, no-commitment assessment to understand how agroforestry practices could be implemented on your land today.

Conclusion

Black locust is a multifunctional tree, presenting several options for farmland owners and operators to add a stream of income and create a multitude of ecosystem benefits. If you remember one thing about black locust, let it be this: black locust drives both profit and ecology.

How to get started
Our team is prepared to help you design, implement, manage, and finance a transition to incorporate black locust. We’ve learned from experience. What used to take 40 hours; Planning a farm with GIS programs, spreadsheets, and custom write-ups now takes less than 4. We’ve built a design tool, Overyield, that produces that same farm plan, which has a number of black locust templates to choose from, along with dozens of other tree species with which to analyze how forestry and agroforestry can benefit a piece of land.

We invite you to contact our team to learn about your land's suitability. Our farm service experts can assess your property, provide insights into the potential returns, and discuss available public and private funding options to support the planting of these trees. 

Get started here

Black Locust Genetics & Management: What You Need to know

I’m on my way back from Hungary, having had the time to write this on the plane. Hungary is known for black locust, Robinia pseudoacacia, and I’d like to share a bit of what I’ve learned while working with this species over the past 10 years. I’ll run though how Hungary grows black locust currently, what improved Hungarian black locust genetics look like, and keys to success for growing black locust in the United States.

A Brief History

Hungary’s borders contracted after World War I, and they lost much of their natural forest. As a result, they now grow much of their wood in plantations: hybrid poplar, pine, and black locust. Black locust is a fast-growing hardwood that does very well in sandy soil. Land that was once dry grassland, the Hungarians have turned into locust plantations and locust-dominant forests. 

Today, 20-30% of Hungary’s forest area is Robinia-dominant, creating tens of thousands of jobs in Hungary, stemming from timber production and locust honey. This is possible in part because locusts pests are not present in Europe. The locust borer, Megacyllene robiniae, does not maim and deform drought-stressed low-vigor trees, as it does in North America. The Hungarians can thus grow high-quality wood on low-quality soils. We can also grow high-quality wood in North America, in the right soils and if we manage our trees well.

There is a certain mystique surrounding “Hungarian” black locust – and at Propagate we aim to demystify agroforestry. 99% of Hungarian locust is genetically the same as any black locust we’ll find in the North America, but much of it is managed as a plantation and not harvested from wild stands. 

How to Grow Black Locust

Growing locust from seed is economically viable, but presents an entirely different approach compared to starting with improved clones. Seedling black locust trees present high genetic diversity: some trees are curved and scraggly, while others will grow straight (pinnate growth form). Growth rate also differs greatly. Hence: Hungarian foresters plant at high density, and cull heavily.

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Initial between-row spacing is around 8 feet, and in-row spacing is around 3.25 feet, for 1,673 stems per acre. Planting density is constant across soil types, and the following yields (shown above) are from a slightly-below-moderate site. By Year 2, 10% of the trees will have died, or have been out-competed and are ignored. In Year 7, a “cleaning” is done to remove 28% of the lowest-quality trees, sometimes for firewood, at an average of 2.36” DBH. The trees are often cut and left on the ground. As the years progress, foresters continue to low-grade the stand, always removing the thinnest trees. Year 12 presents the first fencepost harvest, removing another 33% of the remaining trees, at at an average of 4” DBH. Two more fencepost harvests occur. In year 17, 39% of the remaining trees are cut at 5.5” DBH. In Year 22, 36% of the trees still remaining are cut at 6.7” DBH. The final harvest occurs in Year 30-34, when any remaining trees are cut for sawlogs at an average of 8.7” DBH. 

This management scheme presents between a 4 and 8% IRR, depending on attainable prices of firewood, fence posts, and locust lumber. The upside of planting seedlings is a lower cost per stem than planting clones, and higher in-species biodiversity. The downside is lower yields. Overyield, our agroforestry planning software, makes this math easy. We have several templates available which a user can select to generate farm-specific financials for seedling black locust.

Thoughts on Genetics

Improved black locust genetics consist of straighter growth form and higher growth rates. Straight trees, often known as Shipmast or Pinnate, yield more milled lumber per tree, and higher quality lumber than wood from a curved or forked tree. Propagate has selected a clone, which we’ve called “Daybreak,” that exhibits a straight growth form and a moderately high growth rate. It is currently outperforming the Steiner Group black locusts in our trial in New York State, by an estimated 50-60%. There are still better clones, which exhibit flagpole-shipmast-telephone pole straightness and 190% the growth rate of seedling locust – namely: Silvanus Forestry’s Turbo Obelisk.

Silvanus Forestry was started in the 1980s and founder Jenő Németh improved upon Hungary’s prior decades’ breeding work. From 50,000 seedlings, down to 125 clones, down to 70 clones, and finally down to a handful of multifaceted elite clones, we’re looking at a straight sawlog in 14 years, 30 feet of post wood from 1 tree after 10 years, and an IRR in the mid to high teens. Silvanus’ Turbo Obelisk tracts are planted on a grid, with 4 meters (13 feet) between trees, and thinning is not necessary. Agroforestry spacing of 6 x 2 meters (20 x 6 feet) and wider is also appropriate, with form and lift pruning being 100% imperative.

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Different genetics necessitate different management, but proper site selection is always important. Moderately-drained to well-drained soil, with at minimum 30 inches to either the water table or a restrictive layer is ideal. Planting into beach sand or construction sand is not viable in North America, and 16 inches of rain during the growing season is necessary. The droughty summers of the Pacific Northwest are usually a no-go.

Management Tips

“You get out of it what you put into it” also rings true, across both seedlings and clones. Good management is essential, so let us walk through the three highest leverage points in terms of success with Robinia. First, when planting in well-drained soil, Silvanus highly recommends using an auger and not a tree planter, with the crown of the tree 7-12 inches below the soil line. Second, controlling grass competition is important. Robinia is sensitive to herbicide, and thus cultivating next to the tree row in the early years is the best option. Mowing is an inferior management strategy. Third, pruning is the highest value added activity in the game. We’d go as far as to say: don’t bother planting black locust if you’re not going to prune it. Pruning your timber trees presents the same necessity to continuously overcome present bias, the idea that we think we’ll “have more time” in the future, when in reality the opposite is true. Pruning timber trees is easy to learn and rewarding to do.

Conclusions

Hungary has produced excellent results with black locust, both with seedlings and clones. Clones yield double the return on investment (IRR), compared to seedlings, with best case scenarios of 16% and 8% respectively. Growing black locust is more nuanced than growing softwoods destined for framing lumber: black locust wood prices are up to six times greater than pine, and thus management interventions can carry six times the weight.

At Propagate, it used to take 40 hours to plan a farm with GIS programs, spreadsheets, and custom write-ups. We’ve since built software, Overyield, that produces that same farm plan in less than 4 hours. We have a number of black locust templates to choose from, along with dozens of other tree species with which to analyze how forestry and agroforestry can benefit a piece of land.

We’ll be sharing more on the economics of Black Locust next week. If you are interested in learning more about this species, or if it’s a potential fit for your land, contact us and we’ll be happy to assist.

Propagate and Rodale Institute Partner to Grow Adoption of Agroforestry

Propagate and Rodale Institute are pleased to announce a new strategic partnership to promote agroforestry. The goal of the partnership is to increase the adoption of agroforestry and tree crop systems in North America.

As part of the agreement, new agroforestry educational hubs will be established at the Institute’s research sites in eastern Pennsylvania. The demonstration farms serve multiple purposes: to raise awareness, provide education on regenerative agriculture practices, and provide opportunities to advance research. Planting is expected to begin in Fall 2024.

Planting new agroforestry systems on farms is a win for farmers and our planet. Agroforestry systems introduce additional streams of income for farmers and boost the resilience of their operations. Increasing the number of farms across the country is also crucial to the health of the food system and climate stability. Regenerative practices like agroforestry promote overall soil health, store carbon in soils and woody biomass accumulation, improve water quality, promote biodiversity, and support pollinators — creating a more sustainable future for food production.

“Agroforestry is a critical tool for farmers and ranchers to improve both agricultural land and the environment,” said Rodale Institute CEO Jeff Tkach. “Through our collective work, Rodale Institute and Propagate will further develop innovative research and expand producers’ access to actionable data that enables their adoption of regenerative practices.”

Despite the economic and ecological advantages, agroforestry only makes up 1% of agricultural land. This is due to several factors, including a lack of educational resources and financial support. The Rodale Institute and Propagate partnership is uniquely positioned to address these barriers to adoption.

“Agroforestry can make a positive impact on our environment and create more stability for farms through profit and resilience. However, a lack of education and financing continue to limit adoption,” said Propagate CEO and Co-Founder, Ethan Steinberg. “We need regional examples where farmers can gather and learn, paired with financial incentives that make land transitions feasible. This partnership will make resources available to farms helping to solve both of these challenges.”

"There is a rapidly growing interest in agroforestry as farmers and researchers begin to understand all of the benefits that come from incorporating trees into a production system,” said Rodale Institute scientist Dr. Leigh Archer. “The Institute’s goal is to stay on the cutting edge of agroforestry research and develop tools and resources to help farmers interested in incorporating agroforestry practices. Propagate has emerged as a leader in agroforestry design and implementation, and collaborating with their team will allow us to both have a greater impact on increasing the understanding and uptake of agroforestry across the country."

Propagate brings an ability to design, implement, and finance agroforestry projects using its proprietary software (Overyield), a network of farm services providers, and financing mechanisms to overcome the upfront cost of planting, such as the Expanding Agroforestry Program grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Rodale Institute brings its expansive research and consultancy capacity to support the success of these projects. The nonprofit’s team provides agronomic consulting and valuable feedback regarding the outcomes of crop yields, profitability, soil health, and water quality.

Agroforestry practices are currently being planted and evaluated by farms in partnership with major corporations, real asset managers, and privately owned or operated farms.

Looking ahead, the partners plan to expand on what is learned in the initial demonstration sites and develop more projects throughout the Eastern United States. Both Propagate and Rodale Institute are committed to the success of these educational hubs, and any farms in the region that choose to explore the application of agroforestry practices on their land. Research at the sites will focus on the environmental outcomes as well as the economic returns for farmers.

Propagate is a software, project development, and financing ecosystem that makes it easy for farms to transition acreage to agroforestry. They provide access to agronomic insights, technical assistance, and financing so that farms can reduce risk while integrating fruit, nut, and timber trees with animal or crop farming systems. Propagate currently advises 50,000+ acres of agroforestry, supporting over 3,000,000 trees & shrubs. Propagate also actively manages over 2,500 commercial acres and growing, through its regional agroforestry hubs in NY and KY. Learn more at www.propagateag.com.

Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to growing the regenerative organic agriculture movement through rigorous research, farmer training, and education. Our groundbreaking science and direct farmer support programs serve as a catalyst for change in farming and food production worldwide. Over our 75-year history, we have proven that organic farming is not only viable but essential to humanity’s survival.

Media Contacts:

Kyle DeWeerdt, Propagate

kyle@propagateag.com

The Press Office at Rodale Institute

press@rodaleinstitute.org

Now Accepting Applications for The Expanding Agroforestry Project

$36 million to be paid in direct incentives

Eligible producers in the United States are invited to apply to an incentive payment program beginning November 15, 2023. Over the course of five years, $36 million will be paid out to producers in direct incentive payments to transform 30,000 acres spanning 30 states into agroforestry systems, thus building a foundation for expanding agroforestry practices nationally.

Learn more about how to apply here.

The Expanding Agroforestry Project is one of 141 projects funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative. The Nature Conservancy, the project lead, is working with Propagate and other regional leads—Hawai‘i ‘Ulu Cooperative, Savanna Institute, Tuskegee University, University of Missouri - The Center for Agroforestry, and Virginia Tech University—to manage the project, including coordinating with national partners to expand financing and develop markets for agroforestry commodities.

“Agroforestry is an underutilized tool in our collective efforts to support rural economies while mitigating climate change,” said Audrey Epp Schmidt, agroforestry program manager for The Nature Conservancy’s North America Regenerative Agriculture program. “Putting more trees on agricultural lands creates more resilient agricultural systems, and expanding the production of commodities grown in agroforestry systems can help drive new market opportunities to build an increasingly climate-smart food system.”

A natural climate solution, agroforestry is used by less than 2% of farm operations in the U.S., yet it can sequester 2 to 4 tons of carbon per acre per year in plant biomass. Adding trees to agricultural landscapes can also increase carbon stored in soils and decrease the use of fertilizers, reducing associated greenhouse gas emissions and impacts on water quality. This project, which includes targeted efforts to increase accessibility and engagement with underserved producers, could eventually spur the adoption of agroforestry practices on tens of millions of acres of U.S. farmlands.

“Agroforestry is encouraging because it offers a profitable business case for farms alongside valuable ecological benefits,” said Ethan Steinberg, CEO & Co-Founder of Propagate. “Since founding Propagate in 2017, we’ve learned that access to capital and education are the two keys to making this work for farmers. This program is a great example of how to address both so that agroforestry adoption in the US can scale in a meaningful way.”

Who is eligible to apply?

Applications for the first enrollment cycle are currently being accepted for producers with crop and grazing operations in the Upper Midwest, Lower Midwest, Hawai’i, Mid-Atlantic/Central Appalachia, and Northeast regions. The Southeast region will open applications in early summer 2024. Deadlines for future enrollment cycles will be announced. For the current application cycle the deadlines are:

• Upper Midwest: December, 15, 2023

• Lower Midwest: December, 15, 2023

• Hawai'i: December 31, 2023

• Mid-Atlantic/Central Appalachia: January 1, 2024

• Northeast: January 16, 2024

Each region will have two to three enrollment cycles annually. Typically, applicants will receive a notification about the status of their application within three to four months from the submission deadline for that enrollment cycle.

The project is focused on the use of three agroforestry practices: alley cropping, silvopasture, and windbreaks.

Producers selected into the program will be paired with technical assistance providers who will work with them to develop an agroforestry plan for their operation. The incentive payments substantially subsidize the installation costs of new agroforestry plantings, estimated at 75% of installation costs and/or $450 per acre transition incentive.

Find more information on the project, visit this page.

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This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number NR233A750004G005. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In addition, any reference to specific brands or types of products or services does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for those products or services.

Propagate

is a software, development and financing ecosystem that makes it easy for farms to transition acreage to agroforestry. They provide access to agronomic insights, technical assistance, and financing so that farms can reduce risk while integrating fruit, nut and timber trees with animal or crop farming systems. Propagate currently advises 55,000+ acres of agroforestry, supporting over 3,000,000 trees & shrubs. Propagate also actively manages over 2,400 commercial acres, and growing, through its regional agroforestry hubs in NY and KY.

The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in more than 70 countries and territories, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

Media Contacts:

Kyle DeWeerdt, Propagate

kyle@propagateag.com

Christine Griffiths, The Nature Conservancy

cgriffiths@tnc.org

Silvopasture Creates Profitable and Resilient Food Systems

Livestock producers face increasing threats to farm viability from thin profit margins to extreme weather, and shifting consumer demand. Fortunately, there are regenerative agricultural practices proven to mitigate these threats which support profitability and long-term resilience.

Silvopasture, a form of agroforestry, is one tool in our regenerative toolkit that provides a host of benefits to producers, consumers and the planet simultaneously.

Silvopasture is a practice that deliberately incorporates trees, forage, and grazing animals on the same land for mutual benefit to each other.

We’ll review the case for silvopasture from an economic, environmental and consumer health standpoint. Then we’ll outline how to get started and highlight examples in practice today.

Economic Benefits for Producers

American producers face increasing costs and market consolidation. Silvopasture gets to the root of the problem by creating more resilience in existing operations. Producers can minimize dependance on external resources, create jobs, and improve livelihood in their communities.

Propagate recently published a study in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, Silvopasture offers climate change mitigation and profit potential for farmers in the eastern United States which found that silvopasture has a 6-14% 10-year Internal Rate of Return (IRR) compared to traditional grazing.

Several factors make up these returns, which vary case by case:

Reduction of Heat Stress: One shade study in Florida showed that the average daily gain of heifers increased 0.47 lbs/day compared to those in direct sun.

Reduced Feed Costs: Tree fodder, can be both edible and nutrient dense, depending on the species chosen. This will offset feed costs and reduce dependency on external resources.

Diversified Income Streams: Silvopasture can generate new income from the harvest of fruits, nuts, or timber, depending on the species chosen. These additional revenue streams can help stabilize income, especially during market fluctuations.

Unmet Market Demand: Consumer demand for sustainably produced, environmentally friendly agricultural products is growing. Silvopasture aligns with these trends and can provide producers with a competitive advantage in the marketplace, potentially commanding premium prices for products.

Additional incentives can apply, but are not factored into the 6-14% returns mentioned previously. For example, farms may be eligible for carbon credits from trees planted in a silvopasture system.

Environmental Benefits

Silvopasture is a ecosystems multi-tool, capable of delivering a host of benefits depending on the details of system design:

Enhanced Animal Welfare: Silvopasture systems prioritize animal welfare by providing livestock with more space, natural forage, and protection from extreme weather conditions. This leads to healthier, less stressed animals and, subsequently, improved meat and dairy quality.

Improved Soil Health: Silvopasture systems often feature deep-rooted trees and perennial forage crops. These plants help prevent soil erosion, enhance soil structure, and increase organic matter content. Improved soil health leads to better water retention, nutrient cycling, and overall soil fertility.

Carbon Sequestration: New trees planted in pastures act as carbon sinks, absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This helps mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas levels. Check out our recently published paper for more on the specific capture rates by tree species.

Enhanced Biodiversity: The combination of trees and pasture creates a diverse habitat that supports various wildlife species. Silvopasture systems can host a wide range of birds, insects, and mammals, contributing to local biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Water Quality & Management: Silvopasture improves water quality by reducing runoff and filtering pollutants. Tree roots stabilize soil, preventing sedimentation in water bodies. This practice also reduces the leaching of nutrients and chemicals into groundwater.

Consumer Health Benefits

Silvopasture has benefits that make it all the way to our tables. It starts with the growth of diverse forage species like nutrient-rich grasses and legumes which become feed for livestock. This variety of vegetation provides a well-rounded diet, leading to the production of more nutrient-dense meat and dairy products.

Reduced Risk of Disease: Research shows that livestock who forage on biodiverse mixtures vs monocultures have more nutritional value and can reduce risk of diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Reduced Chemical Inputs: Compared to conventional farming practices, silvopasture typically requires fewer synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. As a result, the risk of chemical residues in meat and dairy products is reduced, contributing to healthier and safer food choices.

Lower Antibiotic Use: In intensively managed livestock systems, antibiotics are needed in greater quantity because animals are kept in closer proximity for greater lengths of time. Silvopasture encourages more time spent in open air, reducing the need for antibiotics for animals.

Diverse and Local Food Sources: Silvopasture systems can support the local production of diverse foods, such as specialty meats, nuts, fruits, and berries. This diversity allows consumers to access a broader range of locally sourced, fresh, and unique products, promoting a more diverse and healthy diet.

By choosing products from silvopasture systems, consumers can make more health-conscious decisions for themselves and their families while also supporting environmentally responsible agricultural practices.

Getting Started with Silvopasture

It’s estimated there are between 14 million and 62 million acres of potential opportunity to expand silvopasture practices in the eastern United States. Silvopasture can be established in existing pastures, or by planting forage in existing forests.

Our team’s work focuses on bringing trees to pastures, which requires three components: a comprehensive project design, technical expertise to implement and manage those systems, and financing to fund the transition.

Design Key Principals

When thinking about designing an agroforestry system like silvopasture, we must focus on being intentional, interactive, and integrated.

Intentional: Choosing combinations of trees, crops, and animals to be managed as a whole unit, rather than as individual enterprises.

Interactive: We’re seeking to enhance the production of all components, while also providing ecosystem benefits.

Integrated: The various components are structurally and functionally combined into a single, integrated unit with holistic management in mind.

Choosing the Right Trees

Selecting the right tree species depends on climate, soil type, and compatibility with livestock. Start by assessing your local conditions, considering factors like USDA hardiness zone, annual precipitation levels and soil composition.

We can help determine if your land is suitable using our design software, Overyield. Here’s an example of what that looks like:

A data-layer displaying suitability for a Black Locust on a parcel of land.

Make sure to consider both tall and short tree species, as they may serve different purposes in your silvopasture. These are examples of tree species we have seen integrated into silvopasture by region:

For Temperate Regions (USDA Zones 4-8):

• Black Locust

• Honey Locust

• Chestnut

• Mulberry

• Walnut

• Willow

For More Humid Regions (USDA Zones 9-11):

• Pecan

• Black Cherry

• Southern Pine

Be sure to plan the long-term management of your silvopasture system. Some tree species require more maintenance, such as pruning and pest control, while others are relatively low-maintenance.

Once your options are narrowed down by suitability, consider livestock compatibility and any desired products to market from the system or environmental outcomes. For example:

If the priority is reducing heat stress:
Black locust is a fast-growing shade tree which produces timber as a secondary marketable product. It is suitable for producing cattle fodder as well, but may be toxic to other animals. It can also be considered invasive in certain regions.

If the priority is emissions reduction:
Research has shown that forages from grazing willow contain condensed tannins and other secondary compounds that have demonstrated positive outcomes for methane mitigation in some instances.

Grazing Management

It’s important to note: Silvopasture cannot be implemented successfully without some form of rotational grazing. Transitioning from set-stock grazing to rotational grazing can be a significant change in management practice. Even for those already rotating, there are changes that will have to be made in the first few years of the trees live to protect initial growth.

Because rotational grazing can be the biggest management hurdle, those interested in silvopasture should be cautioned — animals should not be placed in tree-based systems if they will not be managed through rotational grazing.

Barriers to Adoption

Regardless of the available land and numerous economic and ecological benefits of silvopasture, producers cite a lack of information and financing are the biggest barriers to adoption.

Establishing a silvopasture system often requires an upfront investment in tree planting, fencing, and other infrastructure. Some landowners may be hesitant to make this investment, especially if they are unsure about the long-term returns. Other barriers include:

Lack of Information: The United States doesn’t have the same level of foundational know-how from generations of practitioners compared to other countries like Europe, Latin America, or Southeast Asia who have been using silvopasture for centuries.

Perceived Risks: Transitioning from conventional practices to silvopasture may be perceived as risky, especially if producers are concerned about potential disruptions to their existing operations or markets.

Land Tenure and Ownership: Land ownership issues, including short-term leases or uncertainty about land tenure, can deter long-term investments like silvopasture.

Lack of Technical Support: Silvopasture implementation can be complex, requiring expertise in livestock, agriculture, and forestry. Some farmers may lack access to technical support and guidance.

Market Demand: Producers are concerned about market demand for products from silvopasture systems, and often bear the risk alone. Building markets for these higher-value products can take time, and requires partnerships across the food supply web.

Policy and Regulations: While programs are being piloted today, the existing agricultural policies and regulations do not always incentivize silvopasture adoption at the scale of other practices like cover cropping.

Despite these challenges, there is growing interest in silvopasture and agroforestry practices as producers recognize the potential for more profitable and sustainable land use. There are efforts being made to promote silvopasture including technical assistance, financial incentives, and policy support. As awareness and support continue to grow, we can expect to see increased adoption of silvopasture as a sustainable agricultural practice.

Take Advantage of Public Funding Options

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has several programs that producers may qualify for. Propagate is proud to be part of the partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities grant which covers strategies like alley cropping, silvopasture, and windbreaks.

Learn more about the program, what’s involved, and how to apply here.

Examples in Practice

Silvopasture has been used for centuries in Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia, but is less common in the United States where there has historically been an emphasis on clearing land for agriculture and maximizing open grazing areas for livestock.

That said, there is a growing interest in Silvopasture in the U.S. and there are mature systems in place today that we can learn from:

In Georgia, White Oak Pastures is developing silvopasture systems based on the Spanish Dehesa model with Iberian and heritage hogs and oak, pecan, fig, pear and olive trees. They use an 80/20 tree density where 20% is shaded. This is not a dense canopy and will allow sunshine to filter through so that their livestock can forage a pasture understory.

In Minnesota, Tree Range Farms raises chickens in silvopasture featuring hazelnut trees and other species in a “jungle-like” habitat that honors the true natural environment of chickens. They have created a support network for small farmers to enroll, providing training, and access to production facilities to prioritize farmer well-being.

In Western New York, Angus Glen Farms has an operation that practices grazing using silvopasture with timber and livestock on the same land. There are 80 cow-calf pairs of Angus cattle grown for seed-stock and grass-fed beef production on this 300 acre farm.

We Make Silvopasture Easy

Silvopasture is shown to be a wise investment, economically and ecologically. It offers a path to a more stable food system through farmer profitability, climate benefits, and improved nutrition for consumers.

Although there is ample opportunity for silvopasture in the United States, a lack of information and financial resources has held back adoption to-date.

Our team is here to help producers establish profitable, resilient and restorative silvopasture systems. We provide project design knowledge, on-site development services, and financing resources to overcome the cost of setup. By aligning a revenue-generating opportunities with positive ecosystem outcomes, we can create a path to regenerative practices that scale.

If you’re ready to see what silvopasture could look like, contact our team.

New Research Quantifies Economic and Ecological Impacts of Silvopasture

Researchers Quantify Climate Change Mitigation and Profit Potential for Silvopasture Operations in the Eastern United States

New study can help farmers make informed decisions based on their location and financial needs

Researchers from Propagate and The Nature Conservancy estimate there are between 14 million and 62 million acres of potential opportunity to expand silvopasture practices in the eastern United States. This level of practice expansion, according to researchers, could capture between 4.9 million and 25.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year. At full adoption, that’s equal to taking 5.7 million gas-powered vehicles off the road; it would also increase the global footprint of silvopasture by an estimated 6 percent.

The study, “Silvopasture Offers Climate Change Mitigation and Profit Potential for Farmers in the Eastern United States,” was recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems.

“Agroforestry is a powerful yet underutilized natural climate solution in U.S. agriculture,” said Clare Kazanski, Ph.D., senior scientist for The Nature Conservancy and a co-author of the paper. “Silvopasture, one of several agroforestry practices, was the focus of our research, which demonstrates great potential for farmers to explore different options for increasing their revenue streams while helping to address climate change.” Silvopasture is the integration of trees, forage, and grazing livestock on the same piece of land.

The researchers assessed the carbon and economic implications of adding nine distinct silvopasture systems, varying by species and product (timber, nuts, and fodder for livestock), to existing pastures in historically forested areas of the eastern United States. They did this by calculating the carbon sequestration rates, costs, and revenues for each of the nine silvopasture systems and how economic outcomes would change if landowners were paid for carbon accumulation. The research considered two adoption scenarios: one a base scenario and the other a full adoption scenario that modeled what might be possible with current demand versus increased demand for the different timber, nut, and fodder products.

“The decision to commit to a substantial capital expenditure, such as silvopasture adoption, is never something farmers take lightly, and land managers need better data in order to make informed decisions,” said Harry Greene, chief research officer at Propagate and lead author on the paper. “Ideally, publishing this research will also help lenders, agencies, NGO’s, and other sources of capital understand the returns of trees, as they seek to do with any other fixed asset.”

Climate Mitigation Potential

The researchers found that 25.6 million metric tons of carbon emissions could be captured every year, when considering the full adoption scenario (62 million acres of new silvopasture systems). Silvopasture systems that generally offer the most mitigation potential are not necessarily those with the highest per-acre rates of carbon accrual, but instead those with the highest estimated acreage potential demand. For instance, given the high and ongoing demand for feed (the main input in beef production), fodder species (mulberry and willow) have the most mitigation potential because they could expand to cover the greatest area, even though they have the lowest per-acre carbon accrual rates.

The research estimates the carbon accrual in aboveground and belowground biomass. “Aboveground biomass is the main source of increased carbon in agroforestry systems, especially silvopasture,” Kazanski said, noting that additional research on possible soil carbon increases from silvopasture could demonstrate additional mitigation potential.

Profit Potential

This research demonstrates the financial upside of adding trees to grazing systems, which were once forested areas. “Silvopasture will be adopted to the extent that it is profitable and there is market demand for products from silvopasture systems,” said Greene.

Given the spatial analysis that identified 14 million to 62 million acres available for expansion, the researchers concluded that silvopasture practices can be profitable (6-14 percent IRR in some cases) without any additional market drivers, such as a price on carbon. Therefore, adoption is not constrained by land availability but likely by a combination of factors including education and specific systems designed for a farm’s unique operations.

“It’s important to understand what a given price on carbon—and a successful payment—can have on accelerating the adoption of silvopasture,” said Greene. “Different tree species require different amounts of carbon payment to come online with farmers, depending on the species’ growth rate and non-carbon yields. Prices likely need to increase to $80-90 per ton if farmers are to pay real attention to the idea of planting large long-lived trees in their pastures.”

Greene also pointed out that mulberry, willow, and other fodder species provide a good return without carbon incentives, noting a great uptake in Latin America and Australia.

Need for Continued Research

The researchers call for additional inquiry into the holistic economic implications of different silvopasture systems and planting densities, including the extent to which added trees may alter forage growth or increase livestock performance due to shading and wind protection. Data from Kentucky shows us that beef cattle with access to tree shade can gain up to 60 percent more weight on hot days, and temperature regulation services will be increasingly important as the climate changes.

While additional research is needed on the agronomics, markets, and economics of silvopasture, researchers agree that if broadly implemented, silvopasture could result in meaningful and financially beneficial carbon mitigation for the agriculture sector.

“When farmers and practitioners can understand the long-term economic value of silvopasture, they can make better decisions and ideally invest in profitable systems that are also ecologically regenerative,” said Greene.

Download the paper here.

Propagate is a software, development and financing ecosystem that makes it easy for farms to transition acreage to agroforestry. They provide access to agronomic insights, technical assistance, and financing so that farms can reduce risk while integrating fruit, nut and timber trees with animal or crop farming systems. Propagate currently advises 30,000+ acres of agroforestry, supporting over 760,000 trees & shrubs. Propagate also actively manages over 2,250 commercial acres, and growing, through its regional agroforestry hubs in NY and KY. Learn more at www.propagateag.com

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 72 countries, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

Media Contacts:

Kyle DeWeerdt, Propagate

kyle@propagateag.com

Christine Griffiths, The Nature Conservancy

cgriffiths@tnc.org

Chestnuts & Agroforestry: Massive Opportunity for American Farmers

Producing chestnuts in the United States represents a significant opportunity for farmers to meet a growing and under-served demand. In 2022, the U.S. imported roughly 6.7 million pounds. That demand could easily be satisfied with domestic production, bringing substantial profit to U.S. farmers.

Through our work to date, we’ve discovered that chestnuts are the perfect complement for crops in agroforestry systems. They thrive in mixed farming environments, optimizing land use in terms of food production and profit. By integrating chestnut trees into existing crop systems, we can improve soil health, reduce erosion, and enhance overall farm resilience while introducing new income streams from the nuts.

In this post we’ll crack into the exciting, and rapidly growing market of chestnuts. We’ll explore why they are an ideal fit for agroforestry systems and why they present a tremendous opportunity for U.S farmers. Additionally, we’ll share the lessons we’ve learned from collaborating with chestnut growers.

Understanding Markets & Meeting Demand

Americans have a voracious appetite for chestnuts, consuming over 7.5 million pounds annually. The majority of these chestnuts are imported from countries like Italy, China, and Korea, creating a unique opportunity for American farmers to tap into the market. By growing chestnuts locally, farmers can meet this demand, reduce reliance on imports, and provide consumers with a higher quality product.

Beyond their dietary and ecosystem benefits, chestnuts are a smart investment. Investment data shows that the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for establishing chestnut production is around 15%-25%, depending on retail-wholesale market ratios. In 2020, one farm we partner with sold out 60,000 pounds in just 24 hours through online sales — a remarkable achievement.

When speaking with chestnut growers today, there's a shared belief that we’ve only scratched the surface of what is possible. With proper management and marketing skills, farms can tap into this unmet and growing demand, providing new income streams while implementing practices that yield ecosystem benefits.

Chestnut Nutrition and Applications

Chestnuts are highly versatile and can be sold fresh, frozen, dried, or processed into various products. This diversity allows growers to explore multiple sales channels, including fresh produce markets, specialty food stores, and online sales platforms.

Marketing chestnuts for their health benefits can be a winning strategy. These nutrient-packed nuts are low in fat and calories, naturally gluten-free, and appeal to an increasing number of health-conscious consumers. With their high fiber content, chestnuts aid digestion and provide a satisfying, guilt-free snack.

Chestnuts Thrive in Agroforestry Systems

The economic prospect of chestnuts is compelling on its own. However, when considering the ecosystem benefits that come with agroforestry practices like alley cropping, it becomes a win-win for both farms and the environment.

Integrating chestnut trees and perennial crops into systems like alley cropping, silvopasture or windbreaks offers a range of benefits compared to monoculture crops like corn or soy, including:

• improved soil health

• improved water quality

• improved wildlife habitat

• sequesters carbon in tree growth

Moreover, chestnut trees are known for their longevity, ensuring a stable source of income for future generations. By planting chestnut trees, farmers can create a lasting legacy that supports their families and preserves the agricultural heritage of their land.

Case Study: Investments in Chestnuts & Agroforestry

In 2021, Keavin Hill, owner of Hill Farms in central Ohio, seized an opportunity to transition his farmland to chestnut and hay production. Historically, Keavin managed corn, soy, and wheat operations across his +/- 4,000 acres spanning southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky.

Fast forward to 2023: By year-end, 60,000 trees will have been planted, making Hill Farms one of the largest chestnut operations in the U.S.

One of the initial designs for Hill Farms, made in Overyield.

Read more here to discover how our team designed and implemented a system tailored to Keavin's unique operation and secured financing through partnerships to ensure the transition's economic viability.

What We’ve Learned Working with Chestnut Growers

One remarkable aspect of the chestnut farming landscape is the strong sense of community among growers. Across the U.S., chestnut growers share knowledge and experiences, fostering collaboration and providing newcomers with access to a wealth of information and expertise. Here are some key insights we’ve gained from discussions with this community.

Threats to production require proactive management

Regardless of location, all chestnut growers face common challenges including frost-related crop loss, disease, pests, voles and the ever-present deer population. Deer, in particular, pose a significant threat, potentially consuming up to 30% of a producer’s crop. Many growers are now considering preventative measures, such as eight-foot deer fences, weighing the cost against potential losses.

Growers must mow regularly, prune, and thin in addition to active scouting and drone imagery to gauge plant health. Doing so reduces the spread of disease, minimizes insects, vole and other rodent pressures. Sprays can also be employed to control pests like weevils.

The case is growing for tree insurance

Weather-related concerns remain a constant issue for growers. Additionally, in the Midwest, wind damage after August 1st and herbicide drift from neighboring farms can harm chestnut trees, highlighting the need for protective measures.

There is a growing recognition that insurance solutions, whether government-backed or from the private sector, are essential. Few private sector chestnut insurance options are available, with Grange Insurance in the PNW and Frazer Insurance in New England being notable exceptions. Agroforestry Partners is currently exploring a chestnut tree and crop insurance product tailored to the needs of farms.

Funding is Critical for Adoption

With a compelling business case for profit, you may wonder why more farmers aren't growing chestnuts. Designing, planting, and managing an agroforestry system with chestnuts requires capital expenditures and often entails taking existing crops out of production. These expenses, combined with potential profit losses, create a steep barrier to entry, making aspirations just out of reach.

Financial support is essential for farmers transitioning to agroforestry practices, as it covers initial investment costs, stabilizes income during the transition, promotes long-term sustainability, and facilitates education and skill development. Such funding not only benefits individual farmers but also contributes to the broader goals of sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation. Farms can tap into available funding through two main avenues:

Public Funding

The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded $60 million to The Nature Conservancy, Propagate, and other partners to fund a 5-year project to advance agroforestry. These practices provide healthy, long-term agricultural production while reducing dependence on external inputs.

Strategies like alley cropping, silvopasture, and windbreaks can compliment existing yields, increasing a farm’s profitability while providing valuable ecosystem services.

Get a free, no-commitment assessment to understand how agroforestry practices could be implemented on your land today.

Private Programs

Propagate is part of a joint venture known as Agroforestry Partners, which raises funds from long-term investors to pay farmers upfront for transitioning their land to agroforestry systems. This venture manages these assets for both farmers and investors.

Food and beverage corporations have also invested directly in American farms to promote regenerative practices. These businesses assist their suppliers in transitioning to regenerative agriculture to reduce scope 3 emissions and adopt sustainable land use practices.

Conclusions

The potential for chestnut production in the United States is vast. By capitalizing on the growing demand for chestnuts and the advantages of agroforestry, farmers can transition to a more sustainable and profitable farming model. This transition must be facilitated by public and private funding to overcome the financial barriers to adoption.

In addition to financing, farmers can receive support with planning, design, and implementation for chestnut operations. Propagate and Agroforestry Partners are here to help farms seize the opportunities presented by chestnut production and take the first steps toward a profitable transition that will secure the future of their farms for generations to come.

We Make Growing Chestnuts Easy

Propagate provides comprehensive support for farms looking to incorporate chestnuts, from farm design and site preparation to procurement, tree planting and establishment, and tree crop agronomy. We’ve developed a Gold Standard for Chestnut growing that our farm services team uses to ensure healthy and productive plantings.

We help implement realistic, functional regenerative systems by connecting you to our genetic stock, equipment, and labor partners.

Contact us if you would like to learn more.

Alley Cropping with Forage Crops

Alley cropping presents an opportunity for farms producing forage crops at-scale to reinvigorate their existing operations. Farms can generate additional streams of profit from fruit, nut, timber, and livestock fodder while addressing challenges that threaten crop yield such as soil erosion, nutrient loss and extreme weather.

📖 Alley cropping is an agroforestry practice that involves integrating rows of trees or shrubs alongside agricultural crops in a systematic arrangement. Distinct alleyways are formed by planting crops or grazing animals between rows of trees, with both components designed to complement and enhance performance of the other.

Alley Cropping With Forage Crops Is Highly Beneficial

Alley cropping with forage crops is a win-win for farmers, providing income diversification and ecological benefits. It is an effective way to increase whole-farm yield in the long term because of the interrelated benefits that trees and crops provide.

♻️ Regenerate soil health: Trees contribute organic matter to the soil through fallen leaves, branches, and root exudates. This builds up organic carbon, which enhances soil structure, water retention, and nutrient-holding capacity. Tree roots also stabilize the soil, reducing erosion caused by water runoff and wind. The improved soil structure then promotes better root penetration and water infiltration — ultimately promoting growth for forage crops.

Trees also promote the growth of beneficial soil microorganisms. These microorganisms enhance nutrient cycling, disease suppression, and overall soil health. Certain tree species also have nitrogen-fixing abilities. They form symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules, converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use, enriching the soil and supplementing the need for additive fertilizers.

💰Diversify income: Trees introduce new sources of revenue. Fruits, nuts, and timber create additional income that can weather market fluctuations and diversify a farm’s options for retail and wholesale.

💪 Build climate resilience: Alley cropping creates a microclimate for crops, regulating temperature extremes. The rows of trees can act as windbreaks, preventing wind-induced stress, lodging, and soil erosion. Trees also provide shade to crops during periods of intense heat, reducing moisture loss through evaporation and transpiration. By retaining moisture in the soil, forage crops are better equipped to withstand drought conditions. Conversely, in times of heavy rainfall and floods, the rows of trees can help manage water runoff by increasing drainage.

🌿 Foster long-term sustainability: A legacy of responsible land management can be an honorable aspiration. Alley cropping offers a chance to leave behind a landscape enriched in both financial and ecological terms for future generations.

How to Choose the Right Trees for Your Operation

Selecting the right trees for alley cropping is crucial to ensure a successful integration with forage crops. Farmers should consider factors such as their growing zone, soil type, nutrient composition, labor preferences, and the desired products they want to market.

These tree species are suitable for alley cropping with forage crops like those mentioned above, within the Eastern United States growing zones 4 through 8:

Tall trees

• Chinese Chestnut (Castanea mollissima)

• Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)

• Hybrid Poplar (Populus spp.)

• Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)

• Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

• Oak (Quercus spp.)

• Hickory (Carya spp.)

Short trees

• Apple and Pear trees (Malus spp.) and (Pyrus spp.)

• Cherry (Prunus spp.)

• Biomass Willow, for livestock forage (Salix spp.)

• Mulberry, leaves and stems for livestock forage (Morus spp.)

Shrubs

• Elderberry (Sambucus spp.)

• Hazelnut (Corylus spp.)

• Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum)

Tall trees and short trees work better with different types of herbaceous forage. When pairing tree species with forage crops, consider the biological characteristics of both the trees and the forage plants. Make sure to space trees appropriately so that the trees don't shade out the forage crops excessively. Additionally, think about the nutritional needs of your livestock and choose forage crops that will provide the desired nutrition in combination with the tree species you select.

This diagram from Alley Cropping: An Agroforestry Practice put together by the USDA helps visualize the differences between different tree and shrub species depending on what application you may want to explore.

Along with the characteristics depicted above, it’s important to consider the intensity of management practices that are required for various species of trees. Introducing trees inherently requires additional management, but how much can vary greatly.

For example, timber generally requires less labor for long periods, but is more intensive at times of planting and harvest. By comparison, fruit trees are drastically more labor intensive, while trees like the Chinese Chestnut offer a balance of lower labor requirements with steady production (and returns) once established.

Considerations must be made for equipment as well. When implementing alley cropping, spacing trees wider than your existing equipment ensures you can continue to mow and harvest using the same equipment. For larger operations (50 - 400 acres) that want to add chestnuts, a machine harvester could be beneficial vs hiring additional labor in larger quantities.

Our team is prepared to help you understand the labor requirements for your unique goals, and can recommend crop and tree species that align your labor, yield and marketing preferences.

Land Suitability for Alley Cropping

Alley cropping with forage crops can be well-suited for various types of farm land in the Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, and Appalachian Regions. Land suitability depends on the types of crops you intend to grow, the tree species you plan to incorporate, and the local climate. For example, pairing Chinese Chestnut and forage crops is typically well-suited for growing zones 4 through 8 and makes a great addition in well-drained acidic conditions.

Trees do well on prime farmland, but can also be well-suited to sloped or marginal land which can be challenging for traditional cultivation. Areas that might not be highly productive for traditional crops can still support tree growth, but if the goal is positive economic returns, prime land will be best suited. Understandably, many farmers might be hesitant to try new practices on prime land. They will trial agroforestry practices on marginal land and get marginal results. That conclusion is misleading however, as the business case can be much stronger on prime land.

Alley cropping may not be a good practice for your land if the following are true:

• Limited space to deploy

• Excessively wet and/or rocky terrain

• Highly specialized crop production

Soil conditions

The success of incorporating trees into an alley cropping system generally comes with the same soil considerations one makes for their primary crops. Performance will depend on factors like drainage, nutrient content, soil texture, and other physical and chemical properties.

Determining if a type of soil is suitable for alley cropping depends on several factors, including the types of crops you intend to grow, the tree species you plan to incorporate, and the local climate and conditions. Some soil types are generally better suited for alley cropping due to their inherent characteristics:

While no soil type is inherently bad for alley cropping, there are certain characteristics that are less ideal for this alley cropping. Here are some considerations that might present a challenge:

• Poorly drained soils

• Saline or Sodic Soils

• Shallow Soils

• Soils with Extreme pH

• Eroded Soils

• Compacted Soils

• Highly Leachable Soils

It's important to note that even if a particular soil has some of these characteristics, proper management practices can often mitigate the challenge.

Ultimately, the suitability of a soil type for alley cropping depends on the specific goals, the tree and crop species chosen, and the management practices applied. Conducting a thorough soil analysis and consulting with local agroforestry experts can help you determine whether a particular soil type can be effectively used in an alley cropping system.

The Business Case for Alley Cropping

Introducing any new practice, or changes to your existing forage crop operation requires careful planning. There are generally three options farms consider with regards to alley cropping:

1. To assist your current operations; meaning there is no direct sales outlet for any of the tree products you grow. In this situation trees are planted to improve your other crops by providing benefits (shade, windbreaks, biodiversity, fodder). Any increase in profit is delivered through increases in the profitability of current sale products.

2. To augment your current operations; there will be sales from a tree product, and even if that reduces the yields of the primary crop a bit, it is a net positive to overall profitability through new income streams derived from the trees.

3. To replace your current operations; introducing a complementary fodder crop and tree pairing in that improves your overall profit for the long-term future.

Forecasting models can be developed in partnership with experts to maximize the economic and environmental benefits. Here’s an example of one forecast for implementing Chestnuts with Corn, Soy and Hay alley cropping compared to the previous Corn-dominant rotation.

Making any land-use transition is no simple task. Farms need to clear three hurdles to successfully implement alley cropping, and start to reap the benefits described above.

1. Design: Crop selection, suitability analysis and agronomy require case-by case review from an experienced agroforestry professional to ensure a successful system can be implemented.

2. Implementation: Procurement of nursery stock, tree establishment and ongoing maintenance can present a challenge to those with technical expertise outside of these areas.

3. Financing: As shown in the graphic above, there is a significant financial hurdle in upfront capital expenditure which is difficult to absorb with a farm’s average profit margins.

💰 Did you know funding is available to cover up to 75% of your transition costs?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded $60 million to The Nature Conservancy, Propagate, and other partners to fund a 5-year project to advance agroforestry. These practices provide healthy, long-term agricultural production while reducing dependence on external inputs.

Strategies like alley cropping, silvopasture, and windbreaks can complement existing yields, increasing a farm’s profitability while providing valuable ecosystem services.

Get a free, no-commitment assessment to understand how agroforestry practices could be implemented on your land today.

Considerations for existing crop yield

Will adding trees to your existing fodder crop operation reduce yield? Not in every case. This largely depends on the tree and crop species being paired, as well as row spacing and management practices. Generally speaking, there can be a negligible impact on forage crop production. This requires proper branch and root pruning, proper tree spacing, and informed species selection.

The benefits to soil health introduced by alley cropping can also contribute to increased fodder crop production within the existing areas planted, improving overall yield.

It’s also important to account for the yield of timber, fruit or nuts that is gained, and the diversified income security these options present.

🔍 Research results from alley cropping studies

Cool season forages maintain their yields surprisingly well in partial shade of taller trees, and may not lose any production during a deciduous tree’s dormant period. A case study in wheat-timber alley cropping showed, at 140 feet between tree rows, wheat yield was 96% of a field without trees. At 164 feet between tree rows, wheat yield was 103% of a field without trees.

Warm season forages, particularly C4 plants, will decrease in production in proportion to the amount of shade they receive. Surprisingly, alley-cropped corn yields were 97% and 101% of a field without trees, at 140 ft and 164 ft between tree rows. However, at 66 ft between tree rows, corn yields dropped to 80% of a field without trees, due entirely to tree shade.

As a result, producers may opt for short trees such as elderberry and hazelnuts, depending on which tree species they would like to manage as a business. Fodder shrubs such as willow and mulberry can be directly grazed in winter or late fall, and provide substantial value for livestock in the form of both dry matter and minerals.

We Make Alley Cropping Easy

Propagate provides everything a farm needs to implement alley cropping practices from farm design, site preparation, procurement, tree planting and establishment, and tree crop agronomy.

We help implement realistic, functional regenerative systems by connecting you to our genetic stock, equipment, and labor partners. To date, we have:

• 2,250 acres under management in the US

• Advising 30,000+ acres, with 760,000 trees & shrubs

• Expanded a 50 acre pilot to 1,800 acres in 1 year

🌳 Alley cropping with Chestnuts in Maysville, KY

Learn how an 1,800 acre corn, soy, and wheat operation has been successfully transitioned to chestnut & hay production. With 50,000 trees being planted in 2023, this farm will be one of the largest chestnut operations in the US.

> READ MORE

Cold Climate Syntropic Agriculture

Bringing the Tropics to New York

By Harry Greene

Syntropic Agriculture is an innovative design methodology and set of farming techniques that has quickly swept across the regenerative agriculture space. Ernst Gotsch popularized the practices over several decades, while Agenda Gotsch and Fazenda da Toca most recently catapulted it all into the mainstream with the film Life in Syntropy. Syntropic farming has taken hold in Brazil and the tropics, but today we ask: How can we apply these concepts to cold climates? 

Agroforestry

Agroforestry is the intentional incorporation of useful trees onto working farms. Practices range from adding timber trees to grazing operations, to traditional orcharding, to growing blueberries or mangoes in our yards. Trees slow desiccating winds, create shade for livestock, sequester carbon, and clean our air and water, all while creating marketable economic value.

Tropical forests and temperate forests differ greatly. Tropical forests are much louder, literally and figuratively. Trees grow 4-8 times as quickly in the tropics: many trees in Brazil look like 30-foot-tall burdock plants, and bananas produce 2.5 times as many calories (food) per acre than do chestnuts. Most of a tropical forest’s biomass (living and dead plants, fungi etc.) is above ground, in part because the forest does not need to survive through the winter and store fertility below ground. Tropical soils are relatively low in organic matter, because fallen leaves and branches decompose rapidly. In contrast, cold-climate forests have deep organic soils, and biomass accumulates much more slowly. In layman's terms, the top layer of forest soil in New York looks like chocolate cake, while in Brazil it looks like whole wheat flour. Differences aside, trees are trees, and many principles of agroforestry hold true across the globe. In practice, management practices of these working trees are not directly transferable between climates, but concepts and themes hold true. This article speaks to the overlap between tropical and temperate-climate syntropic agriculture.

Part I: Fazenda da Toca

Here, we will be examining Syntropic farming in the context of Fazenda da Toca. Fazenda da toca is a 5,700-acre farm located 125 miles northwest of São Paulo, Brazil. They are pioneering large-scale mechanized agroforestry, and they cash flow with eggs, jams, and wholesale fruit juice. The Diniz family has owned and managed the land since 1971. Pedro Paulo Diniz, once a Formula 1 pilot, returned to the family farm in 2009 and began a complete conversion to organic. The team is systemically accelerating the regeneration of both soil and the local towns that depend on it. Fazenda da Toca grows organic thought just as much as organic food. The Diniz family founded the Brazilian supermarket chain Pão de Açúcar, and is pioneering profitable, large-scale organic farming in Brazil.

The foreground: forest and mangoes. The background: cropland that was once forest. Moving into the anthropocene, with a deep understanding of the state of humanity, let us recognize that the objectives and mechanics of farming must change. The status-quo of agriculture front-loads cash flow by liquidating biological capital: we’re currently deforesting the Amazon to grow soy to feed pigs in China. Let us recognize this, but set aside the corresponding distress and ask: “How can we create an alternative?” How can farming put carbon back into the soil, pay living wages, feed people healthy food, and reforest Brazil? Fazenda da Toca is a beacon of hope in the time of climate change.

Agenda Gotsch

Syntropic agriculture is a design methodology set of agroforestry practices developed by Ernst Gotsch. Ernst is a Swiss farmer that migrated to Brazil in 1984. After studying indigenous methods of forest management, he bought 1,200 acres of clear-cut and gradually turned it into a shade-grown cacao forest. The terms multi-strata agroforestry, forest farming, and forest gardening are all applicable, but Ernst’s method is widely known as syntropic agriculture. Syntropy is the opposite of entropy, and entropy is the tendency of a system to degrade into disorder: cars break down, and rocks and dirt erode into the ocean. The only thing that counters this chaos is life itself. Plants use sunlight to photosynthesize and counter entropy. Syntropy, is therefore is the process of creating and managing complexity. In our context, this managed complexity is a forest, a farm, and everything in between.

Syntropic Agriculture: Managed Complexity

In places where it rains a lot, fields will slowly turn into scrubland, and then into forest. This process is known as ecological succession, or the way in which a living landscapes changes in structure and species composition. In cold climates, poplars, locust, alder, and wind-pollinated conifers move into deforested areas. These trees have small, light seeds, and act as early-successional species. They grow quickly, and generally don’t live a very long time. Oaks, whose seeds are distributed by rodents, move into fields much more slowly. They are known as late-successional or climax species. They grow much more slowly, and are more shade-tolerant. Young oak saplings can dwell under a canopy until a poplar above them dies, at which time they’ll grow up into the light, they themselves becoming the canopy. The poplar will lie on the ground, decompose, and feed the fungi in the soil. That fungal soil will in turn supply the oak with water and fertility.

This forest in Craftsbury, Vermont has been thinned of conifers. On the left side the photo, we can see a sugar-maple seedling which will go on to become the canopy. The non-marketable conifer branches and logs are left on the forest floor to decompose. This is an example of traditional forestry, but it depicts managed succession.

Agroforestry as the oldest form of agriculture

Managing forests for food is the oldest form of agriculture: anthropologists no longer consider the grains of mesopotamia to be the first crops. Imagine that you’re a native american living in present-day Pennsylvania in the year 1400: you see poplars shading out a chestnut and an oak, and you know that chestnuts and oaks produce food. Having a deep understanding of forest dynamics, you cut the poplar down and leave the chestnuts. In the tropics, this practice consists of opening up enough light in the canopy to grow fruit and cacao. Connecting syntropy, ecological succession, and forest management gives us syntropic agriculture, which is Ernst’s version of forest farming. He plants fast-growing species such as acacia, gliricidia, and eucalyptus, together with bananas, limes, cacao, and other food-producing trees. He systematically prunes the branches of the biomass trees, and leaves them on the ground to decompose. Pruning fosters fungal activity in the soil, both by adding carbon on top of the soil and stimulating root growth. Forests in adolescence grow quickly, and syntropic agriculture keeps certain components of the system in perpetual adolescence, when they are growing most quickly. The goal is the system is for the support species to produce most or all of the needed fertility and irrigation for the food crops below. If this process seems complicated, that’s because it is. The goal at Fazenda da Toca is to apply the principles of syntropy to commercial agriculture, and mechanize much of this biomass accumulation. 

Here, the overstory of eucalyptus is maintained in a "high pollard:" it is periodically given a haircut, and the pruned branches are then used as mulch. This is similar to the pine logs and branches above, in Vermont, but here the biomass is arranged more strategically in such a high-touch system.

Fazenda da Toca is pioneering syntropic agriculture on a large scale. Ernst Gotsch lived at Fazenda da Toca for two years to design and establish the farm’s multi-species agroforestry plots. Eucalyptus and bananas are staples of the designs. Though eucalyptus is native to Australia and may not readily associate with the native mycorrhizae of Brazil, they cannot be beat in the game of biomass accumulation. Other species include limes, cacao, mahogany, and many more.

The author of this article in a 2-year-old eucalyptus tree. These trees create partial shade, fix soil carbon, and go on to be used for biomass accumulation.

Fazenda da Toca grows and manages biomass in syntropy:

Fazenda da Toca’s system accumulates biomass in the form of grass, banana stalks, eucalyptus branches, and wood chips. A sample succession that the farm employs is to first sow organic cover crops such as sorghum and millet to improve the soil. They then establish perennial grass, which they cut and rake into windrows. This initial accumulation of organic matter covers and improves the soil. Trees are then established in repeating patterns and consortiums. The biomass species are pruned to a fixed height. When the eucalyptus trees are young, their branches are cut with pruners and loppers. As they get older, the chainsaws and wood chippers come out.

Syntropy: the continuous, rapid, and strategic accumulation and placement of biomass in a system.

The white filaments running through this hay, at the base of this tree row, are fungi. Fungi are the internet of the soil: they distribute water and nutrients, extract minerals from the subsoil, and reach farther than tree roots do alone.

In-situ biomass: What can we learn?

This section of the farm, the original syntropic plot, is too steep to grow grain on, and tractor access is a challenge. Remote farms may have a comparative advantage in growing biomass in-situ.

Managed on a small scale or in remote areas with limited access to external inputs, syntropic methods are highly applicable. On a small scale, available labor enables syntropic farming, and and in remote areas, growing biomass in situ can be more cost effective (convenient) than importing it. What Mr. Gotsch and Fazenda da Toca are pioneering is a mechanized syntropic system for establishing and managing commercial tree crops organically, and we in temperate climates can learn a great deal from their experiences. The first multi-species plots at Fazenda da Toca were established in 2014. Four growing seasons later, we can analyze what has worked well and also look at where the farm is now headed.

The author, at 6 feet in height, standing in one of the farm's older plots. The most obvious form of available biomass here: the grass.

Creating contact between the grass and the soil favors nutrient cycling and in-ground biomass accumulation. This can be done with machinery or with mob-grazed livestock.

Raked grass and a pruned wood mimic the fungal duff layer of a forest floor. They suppress weeds and create organic soil fertility. Now how can we do this most efficiently?

Successes at Fazenda da Toca

Many banana plantations are grown with flood irrigation. While non-irrigated bananas might be out of the question for some, Fazenda da Toca is producing organic tree crops on dry land, successfully, albeit with drip and overhead irrigation. “Water is planted!” Ernst says. By covering the soil, syntropic farming makes the best use of the water available.

Drip irrigation provides the water necessary for production agriculture. The catch is that the pruned eucalyptus branches and spent banana stalks below act as a carbon sponge: water use drops considerably, and drought resilience increases greatly. This section of Toca is mostly just bananas and eucalyptus. A nearby section adds in mangos trees as well.

The farm has established incredible pilot projects and economically-productive agroforestry systems. The oldest syntropic plot were planted in 2014. Four years may seem like a long time in the tropics, but this is rapid prototyping on the time scale of tree crops.

To quote Darren Doherty, “The climate of the mind is the hardest thing to change.” By straying from the norm of chemical-dependent monocultures, be they of soy or fruit, in the largest agricultural nation of South America and a global hotspot of biodiversity, Fazenda da Toca is doing much more than planting trees. They’re moving quickly with organic tree-crops in a country that has few, and changing agriculture from both the top-down and the bottom-up. The proof of concept and extensive validation phases are concluding, and Toca is on track to scale these systems with investment capital. We must change farming, and these regenerative practices must scale in every plausible way.

Toca's next steps

Fazenda da Toca is now inquiring as to how they can develop the most efficient iteration of large-scale syntropic agriculture, without sacrificing ecosystem processes.

Conceptually, the multi-species rows of trees have been a success: the biomass species are pruned and accumulate organic matter, which nourishes the fruit trees below. Ecology however, must be balanced with economy, in all interpretations of the latter. This is not to say that we must sacrifice the ecological soundness of the system. Instead, given that we are growing food to sell to people, we must be efficient when managing complexity. If a process is economical, it is efficient, and we can shatter the tradeoff between planet and profit. Toyota records and minimizes how much time and energy each step of their manufacturing process takes: this practice comes from Taiichi Ono, and is known as Lean Manufacturing. The objective is to minimize muda, or waste. Waste is defined as anything that does not add value, and includes raw materials, time, and movements. Consumers will pay for better food, but we cannot expect them to pay for our inefficiencies. Fazenda da Toca is now inquiring as to how they can develop the most efficient iteration of large-scale syntropic agriculture, without sacrificing ecosystem processes. How much time does pruning and mulching take? How can we design management efficiency into the system? This is the frontier of agroforestry.

Mulching must also be done safely. Pruning 50 biomass trees can easily be done by hand in a forest garden. Pruning thousands of biomass trees across 5,700 acres allows less room for error. The tops of the eucalyptus trees at Fazenda da Toca are cut off at a height of six meters. A tractor with a raised frame on it moves alongside the rows, carrying a chainsaw operator. Once the branches are on the ground, a chip crew turns them into mulch. To the loggers among us, this sounds somewhat exhilarating, but it does not sound efficient. Let us also consider that loggers have the most dangerous job: injury rates are comparable to those of deep sea fishermen. Climbing arborists are urban loggers than climb trees with chainsaws. They are the crew that stops by after a hurricane snaps a limb onto power lines. The statistics on their injury rates are lumped in with logging as a profession, but their job is regarded as the most dangerous job. To design the work of a climbing arborist into our system is therefore questionable. And this is a purely utilitarian perspective: we won’t be managing an orchard for very long with a broken back. 

This eucalyptus tree is pruned to 30 feet in height. This style of management may create an ideal canopy, but it also creates management challenges. Canopy management can likely be done from waist height.

Canopy Design: How much sunlight should we intercept?

This system was designed to accommodate large-scale grain production. The triple rows of trees are spaced 13 meters apart. 

We have established that multi-layer agroforestry systems are viable and reasonable. Now, precisely how much sunlight can we afford to intercept with an overstory? The principal economic advantage of agroforestry is that it takes advantage of vertical space that otherwise would go to waste. We can grow trees with and above grain, while increasing farm profitability. The overstory trees indeed intercept sunlight, but the cost-benefit ratio is in our favor. The questions we must ask are: How much sunlight can we intercept? What is the optimal amount of sunlight to allocate to an overstory?

The triple rows of trees, pictured above. The dark green block to the right is a eucalyptus plantation, and the curved rows at center are pictured below.

Here, the rows of trees are mulched with both raked hay and wood chips. The high-pollard photo, above, was taken in this section. Below is a photo of what the this section's soil looks like.

The soil here is very sandy, but Toca's management has increased soil organic matter to 6%, which is as high as it will reasonably go in the tropics.

In the tropics, a certain amount of shade increases understory yields: breaking up the strong tropical sun moderates the leaf temperature of crops such as coffee, cacao and even citrus. In cold climates however, there are very few crops that prefer as much shade as coffee or cacao. The sun in New York is not strong enough to merit a thick overstory of poplar above apple trees. Aside from a number of forest medicinals such as ginseng and cohosh, very few cold-climate crops grow in deep shade. We go on to discuss canopy structure in Part II.

This is the understory of the eucalyptus plantation pictured in the satellite image above. In relatively deep shade, grass growth is still substantial. This undoubtedly speaks to the viability of silvopasture in the tropics.

Part II: Temperate Climate Syntropic Agriculture

Our guiding questions are two:

How can we apply the principles of succession to commercial agroforestry?

What is the role of early-successional species in commercial agroforestry?

Let us begin this discussion with three differences between tropical and temperate forests. First, trees grow much more slowly in cold climates. Second, in cold climates, much more of the system’s biomass is below ground, in the soil. Thirdly, the sun is stronger in the tropics, and how we manage shade must differ between Brazil and Wisconsin.

How much mulch can we realistically expect from trees?

Chipped wood is a better mulch than hay is, but hay may be easier to manage. Those that have spent time chipping brush and branches know how little mulch one ends up with. Given that eucalyptus grow 4 times as fast as poplar, we would need to plant 4 times more poplar trees to obtain the same amount of mulch. Perhaps we should plant those trees! However, consequently, hay may be a more realistic source of grown-in-situ mulch than wood is. Rotary-raking cut grass up against rows of trees is a well-accepted practice in agroforestry. It is known as “mow and blow.” Complexities abound, however: piles of grass in cold climates become a rodent night club in winter. Voles kill apple trees, and tree guards are imperative. This being said, wood chip mulch is of very high quality and should unquestionably have a place in organic tree crop management. Ramial wood chips are chips that are made of tree branches, and they contain 3 times more nutrients than logs, given that the ratio of vascular cambium (bark) to cambium (inner wood) is higher in branches. Mulching with the pruned branches of poplar, willow, and alder makes good sense. While we chip pruned apple branches, we can also chip branches from other trees. For more information on this subject, pick up a copy of Michael Phillips’ The Holistic Orchard. 

Much of the mulch we acquire from lumber yards and arborists is from conifer trees. While pine mulch is better than no mulch, conifers associate with brown-rot fungi, instead of white-rot fungi. They decompose cellulose but not lignin, creating an environment more conducive to conifers than to fruit trees. Our wood chips should ideally be 80% deciduous to foster white rot fungi, but decomposed pine mulch is better than no mulch at all.

Look below ground! There is syntropy in the soil.

To understand the role of early-successional species in temperate-climate agroforestry, we must look beneath our feet. Early-successional species such as poplar, willow, and alder associate with both pasture fungi and forest fungi, formally known as endomycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal fungi. This makes them well suited for abandoned pasture or cropland that is in a transition to forest or agroforest. Mycorrhizae are soil-fungi that associate with roots. Ectomycorrhizae in particular extend up to 12 feet away from a tree’s roots, bringing back water and nutrients in exchange for photosynthate (sugars). They are the internet of forest soils. Endomycorrhizae on the other hand also increase water and nutrient availability, but they operate in close proximity to a tree’s roots. Both endo and ectomycorrhizae increase soil carbon, which constitutes fertility and resilience: glomalin (mushroom-root skeletons) makes up 1/3 of carbon in soil. Ectomycorrhizae associate with plants (trees) that are either climax species in a forest, or trees that help turn pasture into forest. Fruit trees do best in a forest-edge ecology, and early-successional species help create that environment. For approachable information on mycorrhizae, consult Michael Phillips' book Mycorrhizal Planet. Just as folks in the tropics work eucalyptus into their agroforestry designs, temperate climate managers can do the same with our fast-growing trees. They provide a very similar benefit, but we must simply expect different things from them.

This organic orchard in Argentine Patagonia is surrounded by poplar windbreaks. In addition to slowing the region's desiccating winds, they fix beneficial fungi that otherwise would not associate with fruit trees.

This is not to say that tropical syntropic agriculture is not soil-centric, because it is. The majority of a tropical forest's woody biomass being held above-ground, the appropriate syntropic practice is to increase biomass accumulation on the soil surface, where leaves and branches otherwise rapidly decompose and turn back into carbon dioxide. A syntropic manager in the tropics places these whole or chipped branches next to desired species, such as fruit trees: isolating the practice, this is simply a specific way to mulch fruit trees. In cold climates, much more of the biological action (syntropy) takes place below ground in the rhizosphere. Covering the soil surface in Pennsylvania or France with dead grass and wood chips is still imperative, but we can also rely on and trust what is already going on underground.

Let us hypothesize that at least in part, having grown up in Switzerland, Ernst Gotsch was originally, consciously or intuitively, mimicking a temperate-climate forest duff layer. The forest floor in Maine or Sweden is covered with 6 inches of dead leaves and sticks. In Brazil: it's really just dirt with a few leaves on top. 

Light! Dappled sunlight and canopy structure

Our goal is to optimize the amount of light energy that our production crops absorb. How much light can we intercept with an overstory of trees while meeting production goals? Any crop we produce: be it corn, coffee, cattle or citrus, has a specific range of light energy that it needs to thrive. This optimal zone is a function of the light itself, of heat, and of both.

What does “too much sunlight” mean?

Plants and animals can receive too much sun, and "getting too much sunlight" is largely a function of heat. When grass and coffee leaves get too hot, their stomata (pores) close to conserve moisture. Consequently, some grass species will actually grow faster in partial shade, and partial shade can increase coffee and cacao yields. When cattle are heat-stressed, they spend time lying down, instead of eating. Cows that aren’t heat stressed can gain up to 1.2 more pounds per day, which is a massive increase. Too much heat can also dry out the soil: moisture optimization is critical regardless of climate.

What happens when there is too little sunlight?

Too little sunlight reduces understory crop yields, due to competition. However, intercepting that light with a tree overstory can increase a system’s total economic value created. Secondarily, sunlight can dry out tree trunks and decrease pressure from fungal pathogens: sunlight and airflow are both vital. Shifting our focus to higher latitudes, the number one factor in designing a multi-species agroforestry system is light competition. There is less sunlight-energy to be had in Northern Europe than there is in Brazil.

For both conceptual and practical purposes, it is best to understand the work done with Silvoarable Agroforestry For Europe (SAFE) consortium. The SAFE initiative entails the long-term monitoring and documentation of alley cropping systems throughout Europe: their decades-long research and final report details the interactions of timber trees and grain.

The SAFE report shows us that high-pruning timber trees (removing branches up to 10 meters) vastly increased light penetration, and more than doubled understory grain yields. Short-season crops such as wheat were ideal for a treed system, as light interception delayed crop maturity, but did not decrease yields.

Combining timber trees and wheat was 145% as profitable as growing them in separately. Photo: Dupraz et al.

Out of all of the alley-cropping sites in Europe, the populus-wheat intercropping system in Vezenobres, France stood out. As the trees grew older, they intercepted more light. Over the 15-year period, the system produced 71% of the control’s non-treed grain yields: yields were 90% of the control in early years, but dropped to 30% in year 17. Shortly after, the timber was harvested, and crop yields increased once again. The system was planted with 139 timber trees per hectare (55 trees per acre). And how much profit was created? To understand this, let us compare this alley cropping system with a system that separates wheat and timber production. Over the life of the alley cropping system, the net present value of the net income, inclusive of grain and timber yields, was 145% of that of a wheat field and a poplar plantation in isolation. The timber was valued at a 4% discount rate to account for the time value of money (inflation and opportunity cost). This is an example of a system that worked: by combining crops and trees, the farmers increased total economic value created.

We could dive into the nuances of why this system was successful, but in the lens of temperate climate syntropic agriculture, we should simply view it as a manageable, culturally-accessible canopy design. Fortunately, the researchers provided us with an equation to that displays how much light a timber tree will intercept:

Light interception (I) was predicted by diameter breast height (DBH), canopy width (Cw), and the distance to the tree trunk (D). So if we’d like to calculate how much light our understory crop needs, and manage our overstory trees accordingly, this will be useful, at least conceptually. An alternate (and perhaps more reasonable) approach would be to understand the tradeoff or complementary relationship between understory and overstory yields, and design a profitable, mechanically-simple system that fits the operational context of the land manager while yielding ecosystem services.

If we try and calculate how much shade we should have in a system, we’re missing the point. In most cases, we shouldn’t optimize for shade. We should optimize for management efficiency, and design some shade into the system. If there’s too little, we can plant more canopy trees. If there’s too much, we can buckle up our chaps and start the chainsaw. Photo: Silvopasture in Patagonia

Take on the design challenge of increasing profit and ecological complexity, while keeping management simple.

Adding trees to an agricultural landscape is challenging, but many worthwhile endeavors indeed are! Syntropy is a complex lens with which to view farming and forestry, but it yields great insight. Regenerating landscapes is the great task of our time, and there is no time to waste. Agroecology, agroforestry, and syntropic agriculture systems create a unique type of harmony, happiness, and sense of place. When done right, they exhibit the anthropic grandeur of the Pyramids at Giza combined with the sensory inundation of an old forest. But all of these systems have management costs, and must be planned. Planting trees is easy in comparison to planting culturally-accessible, useful trees that come with a dynamic 20-year management plan.

At Propagate Ventures we constantly discuss the opportunities and mechanics of scaling agroforestry. Of note is that the workings of the land must be in concert with wills and desires of the people that inhabit it: scale, consequently, has much to do with breadth. Agroforestry will grow in proportion to our success in engaging people in this process and building holistic wealth together. We can all do this by planting tree-crop systems that are profitable across multiple forms of capital. Success looks like livelihoods created and soils brought back to life. Let us breathe new life into our agricultural landscapes. The time to move is now.

This article was originally published in May of 2018, and re-released in June, 2022. Learn more about Overyield, Propagate’s agroforestry financial planning engine.

An Honest Look at SaaS Adoption in the Farming Industry in America

Let’s look at the farming industry in America:

 In 2020, it was estimated that there are 2.02 million farms in America, declining slowly from 2.20 million a decade prior. 86% of U.S. agricultural products are produced on family farms or ranches, so the rate at which said family farms and ranches are declining is not good news for the country’s food supply.

 So why are there fewer farms than there used to be?

 One reason might have been the prior lack of available technology infrastructure needed to support local farms and help them scale. As in other industries like retail, healthcare, and entertainment, technology is created to make services and products run smoother and grow bigger. Agriculture is no stranger to this advancement, and the last 5-10 years have shown significant improvement in SaaS adaptations and overall adoption.

 For farms, SaaS tools and other agritech solutions can help manage key operational and financial functions, which can help farmers run the day-to-day and even increase revenue. But are farm and land owners benefitting from SaaS in America’s farming industry? If so, how?

How the farming industry in America can benefit from SaaS tools

With adoption of any SaaS tool or other technological advancement designed to scale businesses, there’s a need for education on its benefits and how to leverage them.

Data storage and analysis.

“Data is power. This is no different in agriculture, where the role of big data in driving efficiencies has not been insignificant,” says Pinduoduo. “Quite to the contrary, big data has enabled farmers to gain detailed insights into areas such as how different areas of their land behave through the seasons, the granular efficiency of their specific farming practices, and where environmental impact can be reduced, to name a few.”

Where there’s data, there’s a need to store it and be able to easily analyze it. Any farm that wants to scale both in size, revenue, and opportunity needs to have adequate data storage, be it those land insights, environmental impacts, even customer data — SaaS tools can store this more efficiently, making it easier to analyze and create business decisions from. 

Nearly 90% of America’s agricultural products — which makes up a significant portion of our food source — come from family farms. That food demand is only increasing, and the ability to scale the production of those food sources will be heavily reliant on data-driven decision making.

There are many factors, however, that can affect this food production that can be measured by data which can then be considered in how to proceed. This includes weather patterns, soil and land data, even pest infestations and management — all of which can be stored in SaaS tools and managed.

Crop modeling.

In an effort to increase crop output throughout the farming industry in America, tactics like agroforestry are leveraged to purposefully integrate fruit, vegetable, nut, and other types of trees. Not only does this increase biodiversity on land, it helps expedite the food production process and keeps existing soil rich. 

Before agritech introduced SaaS solutions to farms and land owners, crop modeling required more guesswork than accurate predictions rooted in data. With the adoption of such tools, farmers can firmly answer the important questions, like:

• What crops are most viable for growing?

• Where on my land should they grow?

• What should my target yield be, by crop, versus what my expected yield is?

• What other types of vegetation should I implement to support those crops, and where should they go?

• How will weather conditions, pest infestations, and soil quality affect my yield?

• How does my potential output compare to local, regional, state, and national standards?

• What is my expected ROI?

These tools can also use GPS, satellite, or drone data to effectively map land for more precise positioning.

Financial forecasting.

Understanding the financial implications of these data-driven decisions and understanding cash flow throughout your business is one of the best features of an agritech SaaS tool:

“It has now become convenient for businesses to choose a solution that best addresses specific business goals within the allocated budget and integrate the same with the existing digital system in a cost effective manner as against setting up and managing an in-house solution.”

With tools like Overyield, farm and land owners have full insight into the outcomes of their efforts, such as 30-year cash flows and metrics on carbon sequestration potential — and they see it on the same dashboard as the other important stuff.

Sustainable implementations.

The farming industry in America is one of the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Finding ways to curb those emissions doesn’t just happen by guesswork.

By leveraging SaaS, farmers can track the validity of their sustainable implementations. Whether that’s by measuring agroforestry improvements, understanding changing climate patterns, measuring water usage, or expediting the food production process to meet demand, agritech is continuing to explode with cash infusions and technological advancements in an effort to help farmers meet these demands — sustainably.

Partner and vendor outsourcing and management.

With the implementation of new crops, vegetation, and technology to manage it all, it’s likely that some farm owners will need to outsource operational or financial roles. Some SaaS tools will be able to not only help source who those vendors are, but manage communication and payment to those vendors as well, in the same way SaaS for technology companies can.

Farmers and landowners are better with SaaS

It’s crucial for those in the farming industry in America to embrace SaaS. Education for what these technologies are and how they can be used to manage agricultural and business functions is the most important step. It’s also often the biggest barrier to widespread adoption. 

 Learn more about tools like Overyield that are helping farm and land owners own their end-to-end experience by leveraging the power of SaaS.

How Do We Define Reforestation in the Farming Industry?

To define reforestation, we can look globally to all sorts of land areas and vegetation. 

 It’s not unique to rainforests or pine tree forests or farm land. Reforestation efforts are taking place across the world in every country.

 The concept of reforestation is simple: plant more trees. But that starts to look quite different on farmland, particularly that of which is used for commercial or even regional food growth and distribution.

 Let’s define reforestation on farmland in the US, the benefits of these efforts, and how it can be scaled nationwide.

How to define reforestation for farmers specifically

Ironically enough, agriculture is one of the biggest contributors to deforestation. According to Greenpeace:

“Some 80% of global deforestation is a result of agricultural production, which is also the leading cause of habitat destruction. Animal agriculture — livestock and animal feed is a significant driver of deforestation, and is also responsible for approximately 60% of direct global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Overall, emissions from the food system as a whole, including production and consumption, represent up to 37% of total global human-induced GHG emissions.”

Silvopasture is one iteration of reforestation, in which you implement trees and grazing livestock operations on the same land. But there are a number of versions of reforestation and agroforestry that can be implemented on farmlands. As farmers note the potential effects of climate change on their business, they’re turning to regenerative agriculture practices to protect their business and potentially see a financial upside.

The need for reforestation efforts is strongest in the industry where it typically happens the least. Reforestation, as noted in the above infographic, is necessary for improving arable land which will in turn improve food quality and production. The environmental and economical benefits of all regenerative farming practices like reforestation and agroforestry are critical to note when defining reforestation on farmlands. But what exactly are those benefits for farmers and landowners?

The benefits of reforestation efforts on farmland

There are many benefits, both environmental and economical, to any regenerative farming practice but especially reforestation.

Define reforestation in the farming industry: the environmental benefits

First and foremost, reforestation provides a wealth of environmental benefits. As noted above, trees are foundational in converting carbon dioxide to oxygen and putting water back into the environment. 

Rather than remove trees to provide ample roaming and grazing land for livestock or room to plant crops, conservation is achieved when using natural resources (like trees) to the best of their ability. Not only are trees themselves natural food sources, they can provide rich nutrients for soil that will make that soil more arable for crops.   

Define reforestation in the farming industry: the economical benefits

In many ways, the environmental benefits inform the economical ones: better soil and more trees means more food that can be sold or distributed.

Some non-profits and organizations are even paying farms to replant trees and citing the benefits of restoring vegetation:

“TMA’s Community Reforestation Program is built to address this simple yet intractable fact of life. We pay farmers $1,821 per acre ($4,500/hectare) over a 5-year period to convert their deforested land into a regenerative forest that 1) produces food and income for their family, 2) restores habitat for wildlife, and 3) removes CO2 from the atmosphere.
This payment immediately increases farmers’ earnings by 44% relative to slash-and-burn corn cultivation and over 300% relative to cattle ranching, which are the two dominant agricultural activities in this region. This is enough to convince farmers to shift their activities away from degenerative agriculture and toward regenerative agroforestry.” 

Now, not every farm is going to be eligible for funding or grants. It can also be difficult to know where to begin or how to implement these practices, specifically for individual farms and landowners. So how do we achieve agricultural reforestation at a wide scale?

It begins with education and technology.

How to achieve reforestation benefits for farmers

Reforestation doesn’t just start with planting trees sporadically on land. Naturally, there is systematic modeling that needs to happen to ensure those trees are providing those soil, water, and oxygen benefits. So how do we leverage technology to make these informed decisions? According to Science Direct:

“Development of spatial and temporal modelling platforms based on empirical models of structural and functional outcomes of reforestation is essential for deciding how to reconfigure agricultural regions. To build such platforms, we must quantify: (a) the influence of previous land uses, establishment methods, species mixes and interactions with adjacent land uses on environmental (particularly biodiversity) outcomes of reforestation and (b) the ways in which responses measured at the level of individual plantings scale up to watersheds and regions. Models based on this information will help widespread reforestation for carbon sequestration to improve native biodiversity, nutrient cycling and water balance at regional scales.”

Luckily, that technology exists. Educating farmers and landowners on both the economical and environmental benefits and upsides of reforestation as well as how these modeling tools can help is the next critical step to achieving and defining reforestation nationwide.

Define reforestation and leverage available technology

Agritech is advancing at a rate that adoption of it, even with very small farms, land plots, and other local businesses, is becoming the norm rather than a luxury only few can afford. The ROI of leveraging modeling and scaling technology speaks for itself.

To better understand reforestation and how it can provide a breadth of benefits to your business, read how our client in the Hudson Valley Region is setting up a legacy by creating sustainable practices.

The Agroforestry Advantages for Farmers are Environmental and Economical — Here's Why

For farmers and landowners alike hoping to improve their carbon footprint and turn a profit while doing so, there’s no better approach than agroforestry.

Globally, we’ve been practicing agroforestry for centuries. The intentional planting of particular trees, shrubs, and other vegetation continues to create social, economical, and environmental benefits today.

While we see agroforestry more commonly at work in Central and South America, where entire communities’ livelihoods lie on the backs of agriculture and farming, there are significant agroforestry advantages to be enjoyed here stateside.

So what are the advantages of agroforestry and why should landowners — including farmers, small businesses, and other land-owning entities — invest in it for the long-term health of their area?

Let’s dive into what these agroforestry advantages are and why they’re both environmentally friendly and economically sound.

Environmental agroforestry advantages

Above all else, agroforestry presents crucial benefits to the environment. Agriculture is one of the leaders of greenhouse gas emissions, so it’s important that strides are made industry-wide.

Agroforestry can improve soil health.

Understanding the unique soil of a plot of land then using crop modeling and other tactics to create climate-resilient soils is an important lesson of agroforestry. Experts have recognized, as of late, soil’s unique role in mitigating carbon emissions:

“Sequestering carbon in soil, however, is a relatively natural way of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere with fewer impacts on land and water, less need for energy, and lower costs. Better land management and agricultural practices could enhance the ability of soils to store carbon and help combat global warming.”

Those land management and agriculture practices? They mean agroforestry. That and other regenerative practices like using cover crops will improve the health of your soil which will, in turn, provide environmental advantages.  

Agroforestry can improve the nutrition of the foods we grow.

Food security and nutrition is a hot-button issue, particularly in the US. Through regenerative practices like agroforestry, farmers can start to net more of the nutritional benefits of their crops.

Poor soil health is, understandably, noted for a significant decline in nutrient density of the foods grown on farms in the US. As we understand from above, soil health is critical to not only withstanding the effects of climate change, but for maintaining the proper amount of nutrition in crops. 

Experts have recognized that this soil disrupts natural, normal biological processes and creates conditions not conducive to nutrient intake. Regenerative agriculture practices like agroforestry help to redirect those processes by reducing erosion and increasing water holding capacity, which creates more viable, nutritionally dense foods.

Agroforestry can help reduce pollution.

In places like Pennsylvania (though states across the US are following suit), farms are turning to regenerative farming practices to curb their individual pollution creation. 

While this includes “implementing regenerative farming practices, from rotational grazing to planting forest buffers along streams, [which] can reduce animal waste and soil erosion,” agroforestry is worth the consideration for its ability to create a self-sustaining ecosystem that’s more resistant to the effects of pollution and climate change.

Economical agroforestry advantages

For every environmental agroforestry advantage, there’s an economical one to match. Agroforestry practices don’t only generate revenue for individual farms and landowners — they stimulate the local economies around them, too.

Again, agroforestry can improve the nutrition of the foods we grow (which can make them more profitable).

We know that agroforestry is crucial to improving the nutritional value and benefit of the foods and crops that farms are growing (as aforementioned). When farms are able to utilize agroforestry and other regenerative agriculture practices to improve the health of their soil, they’re more likely to create those nutrient dense foods Then, empowered with the ability to grow their own nutritional crops, small farms and landowners can reduce the reliance on major corporations and large-scale farms who are focused solely on quantity over quality. This will not only create revenue for farms, but it will stimulate the local economy and create an ecosystem for small businesses to thrive.

There are opportunities for corporate partnerships.

Recently, we’ve seen a trend of large corporations partnering with local farms to create additional food supply. Daily Harvest and Chipotle are two of the latest to create these business opportunities for small farms and landowners, which can create a significant pathway to profit.

Even organizations that collect food waste or extraneous crops to turn around and sell to consumers create additional opportunities for small farms to reduce food waste while reaping additional income.

Climate tech is becoming one of the fastest-growing industries in the world.

Climate tech got an enormous cash infusion in 2021 as agrotech and other industries focused on sustainability cash in on the eco-conscious consumer. Food and beverage presents one of the biggest areas of opportunity and, as noted above, corporations are looking to bolster local farming economies while creating more eco-conscious approaches to business.

The growth of climate tech means there are new solutions being created to help businesses of all sizes grow and understand the gaps in their revenue stream. Let’s take a look at how agroforestry advantages of both economical and environmental nature can be measured and scaled.

How to measure these agroforestry advantages and scale for success

As the climate tech industry continues to make strides, we’ve seen growing demand from business and their customers for technological advancements. These technologies not only help consumers understand their own carbon footprint, but helps them understand the financial opportunities or repercussions of their actions:

“Customers are now also more willing to adopt new technologies, even when there’s a price premium at first. “The second tremendously optimistic piece of what we’re looking back at at the end of 2021 is that the private sector is making real commitments to basically building the building blocks of commercialization for these technologies, understanding that at first instance, they’re more expensive than their fossil competitors,” says Goldman. Several other factors are also driving growth, including pressure from customers and investors and voters for companies to find low-carbon solutions.”

At Propagate, we’ve seen this firsthand with the farms and small landowning businesses we’ve worked with. With new technology comes a deeper understanding and education of each customer’s unique positioning and opportunity. 

Our goal is to help farmers understand the economical and environmental agroforestry advantages through our Overyield technology by creating crop modeling and farm design features. With these features, you can also understand the economic results, including 30-year modeling of cash flows and revenue generation.

By creating space for regenerative agriculture practices and providing technology, education, support, and connection to key vendors, we at Propagate (and the climate tech community at large) are helping farmers and landowners everywhere thrive and reap the benefits of these agroforestry advantages, be them economical, environmental, or (ideally) both.

Learn more about how Overyield can help you meet your goals, no matter what they are. 

Achieving Deep Decarbonization in the Hudson Valley Region

The Hudson Valley Region is a case study in deep decarbonization efforts happening across the entire United States.

 But why? And what can we learn from this part of the country to apply to others?

 Let’s tackle exactly what deep decarbonization looks like and what its best possible outcomes would be. From there, we’ll examine what’s happening in the Hudson Valley Region in particular that can set a precedent for farm land and other types of terrain throughout the US.

Deep decarbonization and its impact on the environment

Deep decarbonization is, as the name states, an acute effort at decarbonizing the planet from greenhouse gas emissions. This is done in a number of ways, including the actual removal of that carbon buildup and deposits as well as actively choosing alternatives to CO2 and related greenhouse gasses. Where “deep” decarbonization happens is at the global level, with industries and governments alike working to make these efforts more commonplace.

Every industry plays a role in greenhouse gas emissions, with agriculture taking up 11% of the pie and transportation at 27%. The transportation industry has been making decarbonization strides by introducing hybrid and electric vehicles and encouraging public transportation and carpooling.

In the farming industry, “soil management, enteric fermentation, and manure management from livestock are the largest sources. Agricultural emissions are projected to increase 3 percent to 9 percent above 2005 levels by 2050” (C2ES). Now more than ever, farmers and landowners need to feel empowered to take deep decarbonization efforts into their own hands on their own land.

We’re seeing this happen in the Hudson Valley Region, which is home to thousands of small, often family-owned farms — many of whom are looking for ways to improve their environmental impact while maintaining (or even improving) profits from their crops through practices like agroforestry.

What the Hudson Valley Region has right about deep decarbonization (and what we can recreate in other areas)

Deep decarbonization efforts are being led regionally by the state government and even locally in cities across the Valley. Agriculture and those who contribute to the industry are so important to the area and, as noted above, largely contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Decarbonizing these practices not only positively impacts the surrounding environment, but can in many ways add economic value to the thousands of local farms where needed:

“According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2012 Census of Agriculture, there are 5,536 farms totaling 898,014 acres within the 12 counties that comprise the Hudson Valley and the surrounding region. The total market value of the agricultural product from those farms is estimated to be over $651 billion. Yet, even that seemingly immense value may only be a small percentage of what the Hudson Valley has to offer in terms of agricultural earnings potential,” as Valley Table notes.

This intersection of deep decarbonization and profit for small farmers lies in agroforestry. In short, agroforestry is “the intentional integration of trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming systems to create environmental, economic, and social benefits.” All across the Hudson Valley, farms are practicing agroforestry in an effort to achieve deep decarbonization by creating additional local food sources and planting trees to mitigate deforestation and other tree removal acts.

One of the biggest opportunities for widespread agroforestry adoption is education and funding. In the Hudson Valley, both government and private funding allows small farmers to supplement their own crops with viable, profitable vegetation.

Across the region, farms like GreatWonder in the Hudson Valley are harnessing the revenue-generating power of agroforestry to create legacy profit from their crops while expanding the land’s biodiversity. 

In turn, farms are doing good by the planet and their own wallets.

This can (and should) include more farms across the country. Despite varying biodiversity, land type, soil type, and crop viability, more farms across the country can take note from the HVR and implement their own agroforestry practices into their unique situations and land plots. 

To achieve nationwide deep decarbonization through agroforestry, these farms need more than just funding to understand their individual impacts on carbon emissions and how they can make a difference.

They need technology.

Let’s look at how farms in this part of the country are leveraging solutions that farmers and landowners in every part of the country can utilize to better understand their own unique opportunities.

Solutions for the Hudson Valley Region and beyond

At Propagate, we created Overyield with farmers and landowners in mind. Small business and technical service providers can also find Overyield useful to help landowners better tend to their land.

The solution is simple: Help farmers and landowners understand the land they have, including viable soil, crops, vegetation, and water sources. From there, Overyield helps them optimize that crop mix and monetize it, providing financial projections as far out as 30 years.

In fact, many of our partnering farms in the Hudson Valley Region have been encouraged by local and regional legislative efforts to achieve deep decarbonization on their own land by way of agroforestry. 

Providing technical solutions was the missing link to helping landowners attempt their own decarbonizing efforts, and there continues to be a gap in farms or with land owners in other parts of the country. Our goal at Propagate is to empower individual owners or businesses to achieve deep decarbonization using agroforestry which will, in addition, help them turn a profit.

Want to see Overyield in action? Check out how Joe Tatelbaum of GreatWonder Farm in the Hudson Valley Region monetized his crops and did good by the planet using Propagate’s solutions.

Redefining Agroforestry Systems Through Agtech

Land owners, farmers, business owners, and even corporations are no strangers to the benefits of agroforestry. For centuries, agroforestry systems have been created to help support any number of efforts for the environment, the economy, and the betterment of people in the area.

Today, these agroforestry systems are crucial to boosting the socioeconomic health of an area, providing jobs, food security, and clean water supply. In addition to that, agroforestry systems work to create landscapes that are at least somewhat resistant to the effects of climate change.

Agroforestry systems have long since changed the landscape — both physically and figuratively — of the areas they are created within. Despite their many benefits, implementing, maintaining, and expanding these systems doesn’t come without a set of challenges.

 Let’s take a closer look at what those challenges are and how the budding industry of agtech can provide solutions to them.

The challenges agroforestry systems are up against

Advanced modeling and forecasting for agroforestry systems is challenging.

While agroforestry systems have been used for centuries, they’re not reflective of every single ecosystem and potential use case. As Science Direct notes:

“The adequacy of existing agroforestry models for projecting climate change impacts is currently difficult to gauge. Unlike mainstream crop models, agroforestry models have only been used in a small number of climatic and environmental settings. They should therefore not be expected to contain accurate representations of the climate sensitivity of all system components. Much more validation and probably some improvements to the models are needed before climate change impact projections derived from them can be fully trusted.”

We’ve got plenty of data on other types of crop models — so much so that we can use it as a source of information to address other issues, like climate change — but agroforestry models are fewer and far between. Because there’s a significantly smaller sample size, we haven’t always had the tools and the means to forecast the impact these agroforestry systems will have in their respective areas. We also can’t apply that data to other types of climate, soil, and ecosystems.

There are economic and social implications of agroforestry.

While there are proven social, economic, and environmental benefits to agroforestry systems, there still tends to be an adoption issue primarily in the US. According to a finding from Penn State University,  

"In the United States, you can see agroforestry much more from an environmental point of view and the economic benefits — while important — are secondary," [Jacobson] said. "But in the tropics, you must have the economic benefits to make it work or farmers won't do it. Most only have an acre or two of land and they need all these products for their families to survive, so the trees are vital. That is an important distinction, I think."

There’s also a need to educate not only farmers, but land owners, Native American tribes, suburban homeowners, and more rural communities on the benefits that agroforestry systems can provide to their respective need cases. Within each of those communities, though, are unique social and economic implications that need addressing, funding and, in all cases, technology that works with these groups to implement agroforestry systems and target specific climate change opportunities.

 Technology has changed the way nearly every industry functions — and agroforestry is no stranger to those advancements. In the agriculture sector, it’s working to mitigate these challenges and improve landowner education.

How agtech is helping redefine agroforestry systems

In an effort to tackle challenges like forecasting the future of your farm — both its profit as well as its layout and mix of crops, biodiversity, trees, and other forms of vegetation — agtech has become an increasingly important solution for farmers, land owners, and businesses.

Not only is agroforestry its own subset of regenerative agriculture, which has time and time again proven to reverse the effects of climate change, it can also be profitable. As aforementioned, measuring that profit both short- and long-term has been a challenge until recently.

At Propagate, we created Overyield as the best agtech tool to help folks not only design agroforestry systems and other types of regenerative agriculture solutions within their acreage, but determine the profit and potential ROI of those solutions. We also help you better understand the labor, operational, and machinery costs associated with maintaining your agroforestry systems or any other crops you choose.

Overyield solves for those aforementioned challenges of agroforestry systems: namely, the above mentioned, like forecasting future growth and helping both traditional and non-traditional farmers and land owners see the social and economic value in creating these systems.

Agtech is changing the game

Want to learn more about Overyield and its game-changing solutions for regenerative agriculture? 

If you’re a farmer, land owner, small business, or a corporation looking to expand your crop types and increase profits, learn more.