Agroforestry

Give Trees a Chance

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
2026 Summit

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

  • NY Nut Growers’ Association Annual Fall Meeting

    Willow Water Farm 4091 West Glenville Road, Amsterdam, NY, United States

    Stay up to date with nut growing in New York and meet experienced growers! All are welcome to register to attend the New York Nut Growers Association 2026 Fall Meeting […]

  • 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 […]

  • A cluster of acorns attached to oak leaves, with the Cornell Botanic Gardens logo in the lower left corner.

    Acorn Processing Workshop

    Cornell Botanic Gardens Nevin Welcome Center 124 Comstock Knoll Drive, Ithaca, NY, United States

    Join us to re-connect with acorns and learn how to process them into a nutritious local food source! Acorns have been utilized as a food resource by many different people […]

    $25

  • a field of young nut trees interplanted with nursery crops between the rows

    Northeast Agroforestry Conference

    The Desmond Hotel, Albany, NY 660 Albany Shaker Road, Albany, NY, United States

    Whether you are curious about the ecological and financial advantages of incorporating trees into farm production systems or you already have deep expertise in agroforestry, this conference will have something […]

News and Updates

  • Getting Started Right for Successful Ginseng Production

    by

    Bob Beyfuss

    |

    Commercial ginseng production has a long history and affiliation with Cornell University. I have a collection of Cornell publications dating from as early as 1904 on topics as specific as “Phytopthora Root Rot of Ginseng” and as general as “Diseases of Ginseng”. At one time, circa 1910, there were as many as 5,000 ginseng farms…

    Read More

  • Planting a Small Silvopasture to Benefit Farm and Livestock

    by

    Carli Fraccarolli

    |

    If you have an overgrown woodlot, a strong back, a chainsaw, a small tractor with a mower, a pile of grass and clover seed, and a rake, then you can start establishing a small silvopasture on your land. To help you think about getting started, I will describe my own experience with planting a small-scale…

    Read More

  • Planting Nut Trees on Your Farm

    by

    Carli Fraccarolli

    |

    by Jerry Henkin If you want to plant nut trees, It’s important to research your land and the type of nut trees you want.  Check the soil for the correct pH for the trees you want to plant. There should be good drainage, sunshine, and air flow.  Will you want tall trees, which need to…

    Read More

  • Financial Implications of Selling Timber

    by

    Carli Fraccarolli

    |

    The Right vs. the Wrong Way by Peter Smallidge   Timber in farm woodlots and rural woodlands may offer economic opportunities for the landowner.  In addition to best management practices that protect the health and productivity of your woods, there are also financial considerations for the owner’s attention.  Selling timber includes special tax considerations, but at…

    Read More

  • Weighing the Pros and Cons of Producing Birch Syrup

    by

    Tara Hammonds

    |

    By Michael Farrell Although many people have heard that you can tap birch trees, very few have actually tried to produce birch syrup, and folks who have boiled down some birch sap have often had negative experiences. The sugar content of birch sap is much lower than maple sap (usually between .5-1 brix), so it…

    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
CSFP Agroforestry Program logo

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:

Join the Newsletter