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

  • 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 […]

  • 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 […]

  • 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

  • Emerald Ash Borer: What Can You Do?

    by

    Marc Whitmore

    |

    New discoveries of emerald ash borer in NY State are now confirmed in 7 counties. PA adds 31 counties to the emerald ash borer quarantine. What can you do? The most important thing to understand is that all the ash trees in the northeast, or for that matter all of North America, are threatened by…

    Read More

  • Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategies Developed for Landowners

    by

    Rich Taber

    |

      NY State and Pennsylvania are home to hundreds of species of birds, animals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates.  Many populations of these species are flourishing, such as whitetail deer, raccoons, and Canada geese.  Many other species are not as fortunate and are declining in numbers due to a host of influences such as; exotic…

    Read More

  • Growing Mushrooms for Fun and Profit

    by

    Rebecca Hargrave

    |

      In the Fall 2009 issue of Small Farms Quarterly, Mike Farrell wrote an introductory article on some agroforestry topics, including maple syrup production and nuts. There are dozens of other crops that can be farmed in the understory of a forest including ginseng, floral and ornamental crops, specialty wood products, fruits, and mushrooms. Most…

    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

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