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, […]

  • 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 […]

  • 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

  • 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

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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:

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