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.
History of Agroforestry at Cornell
Cornell University faculty, Extension, and other staff have been leading agroforestry research and education efforts for 100 years!
Agroforestry Resources by Practice
Join our email list to hear about new resources as they’re added.
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Silvopasture
Silvopasture is the thoughtful integration of trees, forage, and livestock in a managed system that provides shade…
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Urban Food Forests (coming soon!)
Coming Soon!
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Alley Cropping (Coming Soon!)
More details coming soon! Nut Production Resources: Key Contacts: Connor Youngerman czy2@cornell.edu
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Windbreaks
Windbreaks are plantings of trees and/or shrubs that reduce wind speed in an agricultural area. First used…
Events
Events
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Gather to Grow Forest Farming Conference
The Inn at Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA, United StatesThe 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 […]
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Northern Nut Growers and Chestnut Growers of America Joint Conference
UMass Amherst Amherst, MA, United StatesMark 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 […]
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Cultivating a Farmer-Led Regional Agroforestry Transformation
Yellowbud Farm 544 Millers Falls Rd, Northfield, MA, United StatesJoin 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 […]
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Shiitake Mushroom Log Yard Management Workshop
Hawk Meadow Farm 5066 Mott Evans Rd., Trumansburg, NY, United StatesIn 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 […]
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Fungi, Forage, & Forest
Niagra County Fair Grounds 4487 Lake Ave, Lockport, NY, United StatesJoin 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 […]
News and Updates
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Opportunities to Gather Together and Learn about Agroforestry this Month
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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…
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Small Farms Program Hosts Agroforestry Summit to “See the Farm for the Trees”
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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…
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Small Farms Radio Shines a Spotlight on the Power of Trees
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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…
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Farm Field Day Attendees Treated to Lessons on Beef, Berries, and Donuts – Oh My!
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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…
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More Than Maple: Cornell Research Designs Sugarbush Agroforestry Systems
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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…
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
Subscribe for Updates and Opportunities
This list-serve provides information and resources to connect small and mid-sized farmers to larger markets such as food hubs, grocery stores, restaurants, online marketplaces and cooperatives. Farmers, educators and prospective buyers are all welcome:
