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

  • 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, […]

  • 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 […]

News and Updates

  • Learn about Farm Scale Commercials Mushroom Production

    by

    Tara Hammonds

    |

    Farm Scale Mushroom Cultivation (BF 150) Growing Shiitake and Other Mushrooms for Fun and Profit an online course through the Northeast Beginning Farmer Project Tues. February 23 – March 29, 2016, with webinars held each Tuesday evening from 6:30-8:00pm. http://www.nebeginningfarmers.org/online-courses/all-courses/woodland-mushroom-cultivation-bf-150/ Mushrooms are an emerging niche crop with many benefits, including improving farmer stewardship of forested…

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  • Learn all about Maple Sugaring (online course)

    by

    Steve Gabriel

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    Introduction to Maple Syrup Production (BF 151) Tues. Jan 12 – Feb. 16, 2016. Webinars will be on Tues. evenings from 6:30-8pm EST http://www.nebeginningfarmers.org/online-courses/all-courses/introduction-to-maple-syrup-production-bf-151/ This online course explores the possibilities of maple sugaring on your land – be it for supplemental income or for your livelihood. The material presented will assume little past knowledge of…

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  • Strategies to Control American Beech and Other Forest Species

    by

    Peter Smallidge

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    American beech and many other native and non-native woody plants can dominate a woodland, exclude or limit the regeneration of desired plant species, and limit the biodiversity of the site.  In high abundance, these species can complicate access for maple producers.  Often these interfering species gain dominance because of selective deer browsing of desired plant…

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  • Understanding the Pesticide Label

    by

    Peter Smallidge

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    Pesticides refer to a chemical, regulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency, that will prevent, destroy, or otherwise damage pests such as insects, plants, fungi, rodents, etc.  Used correctly and judiciously, pesticides are an effective and safe tool.  Specific types of pesticides include, for example, herbicides that control plants, insecticides that control insects, or fungicides…

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  • Getting Started Right for Successful Ginseng Production

    by

    Bob Beyfuss

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    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…

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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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