Agroforestry

Project Lead: Erica Frenay, Connor Youngerman

Give Trees a Chance

Agroforestry describes a wide range of practices that integrate trees, forests, and agricultural production. These systems can be adapted to almost any site and condition, and can help farmers produce new revenue while buffering their operations from the challenges of climate extremes.

In response to increasing interest in agroforestry over the years, Cornell has created an extension program work team and a number of tools and resources to help farmers turn forested and marginal lands into productive contributors to farm revenue, produce multiple crops from the same piece of land in a symbiotic way, all while increasing biodiversity and improving soil health.

Resources
Indigenous Knowledge
Climate Resilience
People and Places

History of Agroforestry at Cornell

Cornell University faculty, Extension, and other staff have been leading agroforestry research and education efforts for 100 years!

View the Interactive Timeline

Agroforestry Resources by Practice

Join our email list to hear about new resources as they’re added.

Events

Events

Today

  • Fungi, Forage, & Forest

    Niagra County Fair Grounds 4487 Lake Ave, Lockport, NY, United States

    Join the Beginning Farmer Training Program for Fungi, Forage & Forest, a two-day agroforestry event focused on mushroom cultivation, wild edible plants, and agroforestry practices. This educational event will feature presenters and educators from the Cornell Vegetable Program, Niagara County Master Gardeners, and the Cornell Small Farms Program. Designed for farmers looking to diversify their […]

  • Agroforestry: An Introduction to American Ginseng Cultivation

    In association with Khuba International, join Tracey Testo, CCE Columbia-Greene Agroforestry Educator, for an informative evening focused on cultivating American ginseng. This webinar will cover essential topics including ginseng botany, site selection, planting techniques, harvesting practices, marketing strategies, and an overview of current regulations. Designed for individuals exploring alternative forest-based income opportunities, as well as […]

  • Shiitake Mushroom Log Yard Management Workshop

    Hawk Meadow Farm 5066 Mott Evans Rd., Trumansburg, NY, United States

    In this workshop, we will cover the basics of shiitake mushroom log yard management in a natural woodland setting. These production techniques result in the best quality shiitake that can be produced. These principles can be applied to many other wood-decomposing mushrooms, including Lion’s Mane and Oyster. Workshop objectives: Discuss tree species selection, sourcing supplies […]

  • Cultivating a Farmer-Led Regional Agroforestry Transformation

    Yellowbud Farm 544 Millers Falls Rd, Northfield, MA, United States

    Join NOFA-VT, along with NOFA-Mass, CISA, and others, for a regional gathering of agroforestry farmers seeking to dive deeply into relationship-building, regional connectivity, and food systems transformation. Over two days and multiple shared meals, agroforesters from across the Northeast will come together to learn from one another, build connections and relationships across state lines, and […]

  • Twin Oaks Dairy Silvopasture Walk

    Twin Oaks Dairy 3214 State Route 13, Truxton, NY, United States

    Join us at Twin Oaks Dairy to learn about how they are incorporating trees into their dairy grazing systems (aka silvopasture)! Here’s what you can look forward to: Learn about Twin Oaks’ rotational grazing system Hear about the farm’s motivations for planting trees into pastures, lessons learned, and plans for the future Tour two silvopasture […]

  • Northern Nut Growers and Chestnut Growers of America Joint Conference

    UMass Amherst Amherst, MA, United States

    Mark your calendars and plan to attend the 117th Annual NNGA Conference, held jointly with the Chestnut Growers of America on the University of Massachusetts–Amherst campus. The planning committee has developed an exciting and informative program that will appeal to researchers, commercial growers, hobbyists, and nut enthusiasts alike. Program details, presenters, and lodging and registration […]

  • Gather to Grow Forest Farming Conference

    The Inn at Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA, United States

    The 2nd Gather to Grow multi-day Forest Farming conference will be held in Blacksburg, Virginia on October 23-25, 2026 and feature learning and networking with the community at the heartwood of forest farming in Appalachia and beyond. The conference will be held at the Inn at Virginia Tech & Skelton Conference Center on campus and […]

News and Updates

  • Opportunities to Gather Together and Learn about Agroforestry this Month

    by

    Kacey Deamer

    |

    As we head into the busy summer season, Cornell Small Farms is excited to announce the start of our extensive lineup of summer workshops focused on agroforestry, forest farming, and specialty crop production. Join us throughout June to explore topics including shiitake mushroom cultivation, woodland mushroom management, American ginseng production, agroforestry practices, and growing seedlings…

    Read More

  • Small Farms Program Hosts Agroforestry Summit to “See the Farm for the Trees”

    by

    Erica Frenay

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    On a wintry January day, while the trees and landscape lay dormant, one meeting space on Cornell University’s campus in Ithaca, NY, was alive with vibrant activity. More than 100 committed and passionate advocates for “trees on farms on purpose” gathered on campus for a first of its kind agroforestry summit. The Cornell Small Farms…

    Read More

  • Small Farms Radio Shines a Spotlight on the Power of Trees

    by

    Kacey Deamer

    |

    If you’re selling 25 million trees, New York State is looking to buy. In 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul began an ambitious reforestation goal, aiming to plant 25 million new trees in the state before 2033. While the effort has been supported by policymakers, conservationists, researchers, and agriculturalists, a key issue remained — what kind of…

    Read More

  • Farm Field Day Attendees Treated to Lessons on Beef, Berries, and Donuts – Oh My!

    by

    Tim W. Shenk

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    By Tim W. Shenk Brett Chedzoy stood over a trailer outfitted with a layer of heat-resistant bricks, flipping beef burgers on a wire rack over a pile of smoldering coals. Maria Chedzoy readied the fixings.  On a warm Saturday afternoon in June, the Chedzoys’ front yard at Angus Glen Farm in Watkins Glen, New York…

    Read More

  • More Than Maple: Cornell Research Designs Sugarbush Agroforestry Systems

    by

    Krisy Gashler

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    The Cornell Maple Program is growing 18 species of perennial fruit- and nut-bearing plants within a maple sugarbush forest. They want to help maple producers be more resilient to economic challenges and extreme weather events, and offer unique products like maple-elderberry wine and maple-hazelnut spreads. Virtually all of the world’s maple syrup is produced in…

    Read More

See the full archive from Agroforestry

Collaborators

The Cornell Agroforestry Program Work Team (PWT) is co-chaired by:

  • Graham Savio, gs695@cornell.edu, Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County
  • Connor Youngerman, czy2@cornell.edu, Cornell Small Farms Program
  • Tracey Testo, tet35@cornell.edu, Agroforestry Resource Center, Cornell Cooperative Extension Columbia-Greene

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