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

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

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Events

Events

Today

  • 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 […]

  • Air Pruned Raised Beds for Tree Seedling Production

    Dilmun Hill Farm 705 Dryden Rd, Ithaca, United States

    Join the Cornell Small Farms Program for a hands-on workshop introducing Air Pruned Raised Beds (APRBs) from construction to implementation. This session will cover APRB design, build, materials, growing media, […]

News and Updates

  • Study Measures Maple Syrup Production in a Changing Climate

    by

    Anna Birn

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    A changing climate is expected to change the seasonality of crops, largely affecting farmers’ production patterns and yearly cycles. This impact on crops also includes maple syrup production, according to a new study from Dartmouth College. Maple syrup production is especially dependent on temperature, and even in the best conditions has a very short seasonal…

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  • Managing Woodlands to Improve Wildlife Habitat

    by

    Peter Smallidge

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    Manipulations of the trees can create new and varied habitats for wildlife. Most landowners own their land for a variety of reasons, though at any point in time one objective might be of more interest than other objectives. For many woodland owners, they are interested in seeing more wildlife, whether as birds or game species,…

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  • Specialty Mushroom Project Expands to Serve Diverse Urban and Rural Growers

    by

    Steve Gabriel

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    Interest in specialty mushrooms (defined as any non-button variety) from both farmers and consumers is growing rapidly, with demand increasing by 4% annually in the U.S. Given the flexible scale of production systems, mushrooms are well positioned for production by a diverse range of small and mid-sized farmers in urban and rural settings. With funding…

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  • Maple and Birch Tapping Research Responds to Variable Climate

    by

    Kacey Deamer

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    The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program has posted a research update with data to help maple and birch syrup producers respond to variable climate conditions. “Maple, and now birch, syrup producers are on the front lines of dealing with the effects of climate change and the variations that have increased the unpredictability of when…

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  • Edible Weeds from Farm to Market: Farmer Survey Responses Needed

    by

    Kelsie Raucher

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    Edible Weeds from Farm to Market is a Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) funded project of CCE Columbia and Greene Counties Agroforestry Research Center. The project is researching the use and marketability of edible weeds as supplemental farm crops. A free resource guide will be developed for farmers on how (and why) to add…

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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

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