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InsideAgroforestryVOLUME 22 ISSUE 2

LocallyLocally SourcedSourced

When we think about , the production side of agroforestry – the , , and that make up agroforestry systems – Inside is often what we think of first, not the economics or products. a Many publications address the The articles in this newsletter aren’t meant of Life and management of agroforestry systems or to be comprehensive. There are many 4 their ecological benefits. Others focus on agroforestry systems not mentioned here the ecological benefits of these agroforestry that produce important products, like FOOD HUB FACTS

Food hubs manage the aggregation, practices, such as improved water, , meat from systems and grain distribution and marketing of source-identified products primarily from local and regional = 5 producers producers to strengthen their ability to satisfy and wildlife . Food sometimes gets from fields protected by . Instead, wholesale, retail, and institutional demand. overlooked, even though its production is this newsletter tries to get us thinking about often a primary driver for landowners. emerging agroforestry markets and systems. Median number of producers The Emerging Role or suppliers per food hub This newsletter seeks to highlight the It addresses agroforestry in places where of Food Hubs 6 62% of food hubs FOOD HUB surveyed began that agroforestry producers grow. It we don’t traditionally think of them, like operations within also addresses how agroforestry producers backyards, and discusses new species that the last 5 years 62% Customers are usually within fit into food systems at different scales. can be grown in more traditional agroforestry 400 miles of the food hub In addition to being a component of the systems, like in windbreaks. physical landscape, these producers are For the general public, food products Eat Here important components of economic and produced in agroforestry systems can be an social landscapes as well. Explaining what important route to understanding Schools & Grocery Restaurants Hospitals these landscapes look like and what happens agroforestry. Highlighting some of these 9 to products once they get off the is foods can help gain more attention for the important to understanding agroforestry. other benefits of agroforestry systems.] Meet Steep Demand

Percentage of food hubs surveyed that are either non-profit, for profit, or have another organizational framework

Source: Fischer, M., Hamm, M., Pirog, R., Fisk, J., Farbman, J., & Kiraly, S. (September 2013). Findings of the 2013 National Food Hub Survey. Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems & The Wallace Center at Winrock International. Retrieved from http://foodsystems.msu.edu/activities/food-hub-survey of trees and other woody Elders of the Northern Ojibwe with the Bayfield and Ashland and the economic benefits Nations on a Native Foods Project Counties and UW-Extension, the associated with their products. to promote a healthier diet based on AERC established the ten Lake By incorporating trees into traditional native food plants. This Superior Woody Trials in agricultural landscapes, includes traditional recipes that use 2010 to research and demonstrate can bolster the economic woody biomass cropping in and environmental When completed, this site will provide support of -to-energy of their As time marches on it is good to reexamine what has been done as The other new AF Note also has a dimension of looking back. an example of a functional conservation projects in the region. This a way of strengthening how to move forward. The most recent This Note is the first one that looks at Traditional enterprise. This project site is another great particular demonstration Agroforestry Notes have come about in this way. The first AF Note Knowledge, TEK, as it relates to agroforestry. TEK is indigenous practice that can produce food, culturally opportunity to demonstrate site consists of a the use of income-generating was an introduction to agroforestry in the U.S. Quite a General – 1 cultural resource management information that has designed to keep snow important plants, and other income bit has changed since 1995. For starters, this been developed over time. Although agroforestry is a plant species in agroforestry AF Note — 44 from drifting onto the generating products. revision of AF Note 1 has photographs May 2014 AGROFORESTRY NOTESrelatively new term in management, some plantings. Together with Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge Introduction NGLVC parking lot. This in Agroforestry the demonstration site C of each agroforestry practice instead ommunities around the world have practiced diverse and evolv General — 14 of the production of food and goods both indigenous and non-indigenous practitioners have developed agroforestry practices of gr publication, we focus on the role of indigenous, traditional ecological knowled USDA NRCS PHO kind of windbreak is sometimes include American Indians, Natives, Caribbean and Pacific Islanders, and others. Because i many of the and species groups have lived in the same areas for long periods of time, each generation has built on t previous generation through observation and experiment at NGLVC, this location will intricate ways to manage bioculturally diverse . of diagrams, because landowners AGROFORESTRYbines NOTES TO done with TEK are very similar to fuel, building materials, agricultural and plant-tending tools, hunti A Changed ceremonial spaces essential to life and maintaining cult called a living snow fence. Landscape found in great diversity on public are learning from these complex sy r-resilientstry May 2014 Within the United States, many indigenous communities and practitioners continueing toforms car of agroforestry for centuries. demonstrate to farmers that money

are applying agroforestry and we An Overview of Agroforestry onmental management practices, but others struggle to do so. While some indigenous commu agroforestry. Many Tribal communities to continue managing their ancestral homelands, a AF Note – 1 Agroforestry is a management system that com incentives, and socio-cultural practices mean that most indigenous and The Northern Great Lakes Visitor ation. In this manner, indigenous groups have evolved and private lands in the region. and trees to address conservation needs have not been managed in their traditional ways for over a hundred years. Thi ge. Indigenous communities 2 These ecosystems are managed to provide food, and build more profitable and weathe impossible—toNRCS District Conservationist continue speakstraditional with two management landowners pract eat value, in this 1 can be made with windbreak. This can share their systems instead of , and communities. Agrofore icultural towns,about and their subdivisions. management Others plan. are managed by state and federalstems. agenciesural traditions. or p Many agroforestry practitioners in the While are currently managing lands using TEK practices provide opportunities to integrate whose management goals are different from the ’. Even w ng and trapping equipment, baskets, and Introduction ltural crops; 3) reduce inputs of productivity and profitability with envir communities have been able to retain or secure management rights to land, they may need t he knowledgendigenous of the Center (NGLVC), located on the amount of managementlants and (e.g. animals; , 5) improve burning, water , planting) in order t About four times per year the Tribal resulting in healthy and sustainable agricultural systems that can be passed on to landscape (e.g. to provide food, medicine, basketry materials, etc.).ltered political boundaries, laws, regulations, economic future generations. may lead to more windbreaks g lands at the landscape scale. drawings of concepts. People and Additionally,m climateincome; change 7) enhance is altering ; storm, fire, 8) improvedisease, , and flooding patter with excellent results. These systems are Trees and can be included into agr ranges for many of the speciesurban upon landwhich uses indigenous by creating people “ecobelts” traditionally that rely. On top of t systems in many ways. Depending on the continue to cause dramatic ecological changes. Thus, traditional practitionersices. Some are ancestral adapting homelands their practi have become cities, northern edge of the Chequamegon- Learning from tribal communities’nities ancestral have been homelands able Elders have met at the Visitor Center ry on traditional situation and application, agroforestrysuit the new conditions of today functionaland to prepare landscape for tomorrow. that can Manycontribute of these to thepractices can infor practices can:Traditional 1) provide protectionadaptation for strategies. Ecological econnect agriculture, people, and communities. Applying valuable , livestock, crops, and s has made it difficult—if not being planted. Knowledge At the same time that indigenous practitionersards are andadapting to changing fields shelteredconditions, by ther organizations are also looking at wildlife; 2) increase productivity of agricultural and horticu sect problems, and in many cases described in this Agroforestry Note. NAC interest among landowners and land managers to manage their lands as more complex rivate individuals and companies energy and chemicals; 4) increase water use efficiency3 of p ms for farms and ranches they have a small woodlot, a large farm, or manage public lands, many people wish to m hen tribes and indigenous Nicolet National Forest, was selected quality; 6) diversify local economies and on-far to sample meals that were prepared on one piece of property. These objectives are often similar to the objectives for which indigenous com air quality and sequester and 9) support workin traditionally managed, which including: o restore relevant functions to the Agroforestry can help reduce conflict between rural and o do a significant The last of the trees and shrubs agroforestry as a means to addressing new serving natural resources. plans on developing additional AF Notes and serve as a zone of transition and help to r Y these practices at a landscapefood scale is to creates a more ddress landscape-scale water because it specializes in connecting Y rom by .flood waters. The result from traditional recipes using native quality of life for manyfirewood people. ns as well as the suitable Y Y basketry and building materials rainfall runoff laden with sediment, , chemical, Enhance Production: In agricultural fields, , viney his, Y culinary and medicinal will be planted at the Visitor Center agroforestry systems, crops have less bruising, scarring, and in issues in new ways. This revised AF Note Y clean and abundant water er infiltration, add organic carbon other publications on this theme of using TEK improved growth rates and higher yields. 1 Y wildlife habitat ces to Parrotta and Trosper 2012; Birkes et al. 2000; and Nair 1989. m people of all ages with engaging 2 privacy plants. Some of the plants used Maffi 2007. il quality while reducing or minimizing wind and 3 Income Diversification: Y e is a burgeoning Economic Lynn, et al. 2013. Agroforestry can provide additional income strea reduction of hazardous fuels around ecosystems. Whether Benefits and potentially increase yields per acre while con the homet andretention. valued resources ] Y eet several objectives demonstration site in the spring

captures many of these changes. Water Quality: Agroforestry systems can filterY beauty in agroforestry applications.

recreation spaces and biological contaminants and help protectY stream banks f activities related to the outdoors. Y cultural values in the recipes will be included in is cleaner water for communities and wildlife. Agroforestry can help a munities sacred and historic sites quality issues such as hypoxia in theY Gulf of and Chesapeake Bay educational1 opportunities Environmental of 2014. But there is a new twist Benefits Quality: Agroforestry systems can improve so water . Woody in agroforestry systems increase wat Congressionally designated a to the soil, recycle and improve nutrien the agroforestry demonstration, on the horizon. Jason Fischbach is National Children’s Forest, the including , juneberry, talking with ethnobotanists at the Visitor Center offers opportunities highbush cranberry, plums, red and for youth and the general public to black currants, and aronia. University of Wisconsin – Superior become more connected with the The demonstration planting about additional native plant food natural world. The Visitor Center is unique in that it incorporates species that may be incorporated Have YOU ever eaten hosts over 100,000 visitors each aspects of three different local initia- between the tree and rows to year as well as many general public tives into a single demonstration help control the competing grass and Richard Straight and technical training sessions planting. The planting includes a weed vegetation. Some educational National Agroforestry Center from a windbreak? and can provide an excellent hazelnut research (Upper Midwest materials have been created and Lincoln, NE opportunity to educate people Hazelnut Development Initiative), were distributed to visitors this last about agroforestry and its potential winter. The next step will be to create The people in the Lake Superior woody biomass crop species (Lake role to address the local economic, educational signs for the site. counties of Wisconsin face Superior Woody Biomass Trials), environmental, and social issues in numerous challenges. These and will likely include a viburnum The demonstration site is the Bayfield County area. counties have few economic trial planting in 2014 (Lake Superior positioned well for future training opportunities and limited abilities During the last three years the Viburnum Project). sessions. In addition, it is an example to compete in commodity crop Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Less than a mile from the Visitor of blending production. The citizens in the Commission (GLIFWC) has been Center is the Agriculture and Energy with agroforestry to address region and in tribal communities partnering with nutritionists and Resource Center, AERC. Along conservation challenges. ] in particular struggle with high Before rates of obesity and diabetes due Northern to limited healthy food options. After Great Lakes In addition, this area includes Extension in Bayfield and Ashland of a functional conservation Visitor Center sensitive ecological areas in the Counties, Jason Maloney with practice that can produce food, Lake Superior watershed in need the US Forest Service Northern culturally important plants, of conservation and restoration. Great Lakes Visitor Center, and and other income generating To help people learn about the USDA National Agroforestry products along with the typical new opportunities to create Center. The purpose of this project agricultural products. income, protect water quality, and is to design, plant, and maintain an Agroforestry practices are improve options for healthy food, agroforestry system on the property relatively unknown agricultural a project to create an agroforestry of the Northern Great Lakes systems in the Lake Superior Picture taken from the top of NGLVC overlooking the proposed windbreak demonstration site was developed Visitor Center (NGLVC) near counties of Wisconsin. site. The same site with a CanVis edited image depicting what the in 2012 by Jason Fischbach with Ashland, WI. When completed, Agroforestry practices bring windbreak may look like in 10 years. The edited image was created by a the University of Wisconsin this site will provide an example together the ecological advantages summer Tribal Intern in 2012. 2 Inside Agroforestry ] Volume 22, Issue 2 Inside Agroforestry ] Volume 22, Issue 2 3 Foods on YouTube as uncertain , questions about Forest farming is an important Website, www.extension.org/forest_farming. Food agroforestry practice that can be used to These videos examine a variety of edibles how food will be shared, and how to In cities across the country, people The organizational structures of food Creating communally manage land. produce food. In 2013 NAC, Virginia including ramps and shiitake . are planning and planting food forests. forests vary as well, with many having It is exciting to see new forms of green Tech University and the Forest Service To learn more about edibles grown through opportunities Often food forests are community efforts communal ownership and governance. space develop in American cities, often Southern Research Station developed a to grow not just vegetable but a Some are located on municipally-owned forest farming, visit the Forest Farming with the concurrent goals of educating series of YouTube videos on forest for agroforestry broader mix of annual, perennial, and tree vacant land or in parks, while others are at Community of Practice YouTube channel: the public, enhancing , and farming. These videos have been crops. They frequently combine fruit trees property owned by non-profits. The food https://www.youtube.com/exforestfarming practices in increasing production. Some of promoted on the eXtension Forest with edible shrubs and . These produced by food forests is often distributed these food forests leverage agroforestry Farming Community of Practice communities food forests have many different designs. to participants, nearby residents, or the practices while others are using other Some add trees to community gardens, general public. In towns and cities across Kate MacFarland ecological and horticultural principles. parcel of land. These enhancements are others resemble orchards, and still others the US, this community-based model is National Agroforestry Center Many practices used in food forests come possible when producers take advantage of use multi-story cropping techniques. being tested and often faces challenges such Lincoln, NE out of principles used in home gardens the interactions between the annual, over hundreds of years. In food forests perennial, and tree crops. When crops are Some examples of food forests: that seek to use agroforestry principles, incorporated into food forests they will there are opportunities for agroforestry grow in a modified microclimate with Kalihiwai Food Forest, Kalihiwai, HI research to be used and shared. People reduced wind and direct sunlight and Baltimore Project, Baltimore, MD developing food forests can borrow greater humidity. Obviously some plants Southern Heights Food Forest, Lincoln, NE methods from forest farming, alley will not benefit from the partial shade of Hazelwood Food Forest, Pittsburgh, PA cropping, and other agroforestry practices the trees. These crops may need to be 6th Ward Park, Helena, MT and apply them in these new spaces. grown at the edges of the food forest or , , WA As with more typical rural use of adjacent to it. Even in those situations Ponderosa Park, Basalt, CO agroforestry practices, growers can realize there can be some favorable plant greater diversity of products, productivity, interactions and agroforestry principles and crop quality all on the same sized can be applied. ]

The National Tropical Botanical , a private, not-for-profit is especially suited to urban and community landscapes. The tree culturally significant trees will provide beauty and shade, but most organization, established the Institute (BFI) in 2003 can be easily pruned and shaped to fit its location and make it importantly, healthy food for home consumption, and to share Diane Ragone, PhD to promote the conservation and use of breadfruit for food and easier to reach and the fruit. Trees can begin bearing fruit with family and friends. Breadfruit Institute . The BFI manages the largest collection of breadfruit in in 2 1/2 to 3 years. It was possible to distribute breadfruit trees in such quantity Kalaheo, HI the world. It conserves more than 120 varieties from throughout the The institute partnered with numerous communities, because of a major propagation breakthrough. Many breadfruit Pacific region, including some varieties that no longer exist on their organizations, and individuals to distribute 4,800 trees. Recipients varieties, including the Hawaiian ‘Ulu, are seedless and must be readfruit native islands. This unique germplasm repository is an important received a Ma’afala variety fact sheet, and an illustrated planting propagated vegetatively using shoots or root cuttings. While (artocarpus altilis), known B ‘Ulu made significant contributions resource for efforts to develop more , promote guide that was available in English, Hawaiian, Samoan, Chuukese, as ‘Ulu in Hawaii, is one of this method is successful – after all, it is how islanders propagated to food security by providing an easy to traditional agroforestry, and enhance food security in the . Tongan, and Tagalog versions. There was great interest in providing the food plants brought from and spread breadfruit trees throughout the vast Pacific region grow, productive, nutritious, starchy The Breadfruit Institute launched the Plant a Tree of Life – trees to Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders such as Micronesians, eastern Polynesia centuries over the millennia – it is slow and time consuming, with a low staple crop. Over the past century, Grow ‘Ulu project in Hawaii in October 2012 to distribute trees Samoans, and Tongans, and to low-income residents. These ago and was widely grown success rate. however, breadfruit use declined and of an exceptional breadfruit variety, Ma’afala, for residents and groups are especially vulnerable to food insecurity and health throughout the archipelago. The Breadfruit Institute and research collaborators have many trees were cut down, especially in organizations to plant in issues, such as obesity and developed pioneering micropropagation methods to produce urban areas. their yards and communities. diabetes, associated with healthy and vigorous breadfruit plants. A partnership with Today, Hawaii is one of the most food insecure states in the nation, Funding for this project was a Western diet. Helping importing about 85% of its food. Breadfruit is a key component of provided by The Ceres Trust. them plant breadfruit trees an innovative horticultural company, Cultivaris LLC, traditional agroforestry systems in the Pacific Islands which provide The Hawaii Department at their homes and in their (www.globalbreadfruit.com) now makes it possible to propagate a realistic model for revitalizing food production in Hawaii. By of Land and Natural communities is a sustainable and distribute millions of breadfruit trees. Since 2009, more than anchoring food forests in urban and community landscapes, this Resources Kaulunani Urban and achievable step to 35,000 Ma’afala trees have been provided to 26 countries in , attractive, long-lived perennial tree can once again play an important and Community addressing these problems. the Caribbean, Central America, Asia, and Oceania. It is exciting role in food sustainability. Grant Program provided Breadfruit trees have been to see this heritage Pacific crop being used in projects Breadfruit can easily be grown as a backyard tree and in public additional support. planted at homes, schools, around the globe. ] spaces, alone or inter-planted with a wide range of plants such as Ma’afala was selected for churches, community , taro, citrus and other fruit trees, vegetables, ornamentals, lei distribution as this popular gardens, social service To learn more about our work visit: plants, etc. Its versatile gluten-free fruit can be roasted, baked, boiled, variety, which originated in organizations, parks, and www.breadfruit.org and www.facebook.com/BreadfruitInstitute. pounded into poi, or fried, and is used in a wide array of recipes from Samoa and Tonga, has been Ma'afala breadfruit trees in nursery, ready for distribution. other sites on Kauai, Oahu, appetizers to main dishes to desserts and beverages. Why import grown in Hawaii for decades. Photo by Diane Ragone. Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Diane Ragone, PhD, is director of the Breadfruit Institute at the potatoes or white when you can use locally grown ‘ulu instead? It has a compact shape that Hawaii Island. These iconic, National Tropical . 4 Inside Agroforestry ] Volume 22, Issue 2 Inside Agroforestry ] Volume 22, Issue 2 5 FOODFOOD HUBHUB FACTSFACTS

Food hubs manage the aggregation, distribution and marketing of source-identified products primarily from local and regional = 5 producers producers to strengthen their ability to satisfy wholesale, retail, and institutional demand.

the emerging role of food hubs Median number of producers or suppliers per food hub Lily Brislen Kate MacFarland University of Kentucky National Agroforestry Center Lexington, KY Lincoln, NE

62% of food hubs FOOD HUB surveyed began operations within the last 5 years 62%62% ow do we get the food that is produced in product from multiple farms, and online models that Customers are usually within agroforestry systems to consumers? In provide platforms for interested customers to search 400 miles of the food hub addition to smaller market outlets like for and connect with producers directly. Food hubs farmers markets and large scale commodity also expand the number of market outlets that are Hmarkets, food hubs are an emerging market outlet for accessible to small or mid-sized farms, since they often many types of producers. The National Food Hub supply schools, hospitals, restaurants and grocery stores. Coalition defines a food hub as: “A business or One of the key components of food hub market strategy organization that actively manages the aggregation, is to provide ‘source identified’ local or regional food Eat Here distribution, and marketing of source-identified food products to their customers. A source identified product products primarily from local and regional producers to is one that is connected to its farm of origin, most strengthen their ability to satisfy wholesale, retail, and frequently through labeling the product with the farm’s institutional demand.” The emphasis on promoting the name. Some food hubs provide additional information Schools & Grocery strength and viability of small and mid-sized producers, about the particular farm and/or farmers by including Restaurants Hospitals and the frequent inclusion of additional environmental pictures or stories of the farm in signage at the point of and social goals, is what sets food hubs apart from sale, in newsletters to customers, or on their website. regular food wholesalers. Through telling the story of producers and production, Straddling the realms of direct marketing and food hubs provide a key opportunity for consumer conventional wholesale markets, food hubs provide a education and promotion of regional food systems. key service to mid-sized family farmers who are too Producers with agroforestry systems often also have small to survive within highly competitive and economic, social, and environmental goals, many of vertically consolidated supply chains, yet too big to get which are met directly through their agroforestry systems. by on smaller direct marketing channels like farmers Agroforestry systems can help diversify producers’ income Percentage of food hubs markets. Food hubs aggregate products from multiple streams, create environmental benefits such as reduced surveyed that are either farms and sell it into wholesale and retail markets, soil erosion or increased habitat, and provide recreational non-profit, for profit, or have another organizational framework expanding access to locally produced food for and educational benefits to nearby communities. Food consumers in their region. Other models of food hubs hubs may offer an opportunity for producers with include direct to consumer subscription programs akin agroforestry systems to connect with new markets and to community supported agriculture and drawing scale up their businesses. ] Source: Fischer, M., Hamm, M., Pirog, R., Fisk, J., Farbman, J., & Kiraly, S. (September 2013). Findings of the 2013 National Food Hub Survey. Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems & The Wallace Center at Winrock International. Retrieved from http://foodsystems.msu.edu/activities/food-hub-survey Inside Agroforestry ] Volume 22, Issue 2 7 years, they continue to experiment by want to slaughter at the same time of the trying new species, rotations, and timing. year, so the slaughterhouse gets booked USDA has been helpful to John and up and farmers have to wait for weeks. Todd in several ways. In particular, the John says that while there are five USDA Natural Resources Conservation butchers within 90 miles, there are few Service (NRCS) provided technical and financial assistance to help them fence slaughterhouses, and he hopes to their animals out of the streams that run encourage the next generation of through their property and to provide entrepreneurs to go into the independent alternative water sources for those animals. slaughter business. To provide alternative water, NRCS was Although John and Todd started small, DEMAND able to help them in two ways. First, they their high quality products have attracted helped them design and install a solar loyal customers and demand has steadily water pump. Then, NRCS helped them grown. This year, they grew 60 beef provide winter water to their animals that would not freeze over. Adequate water , 75 hogs, 30 lambs, 3,500 chickens, MEET supplies enable the Hopkins to fully 170 turkeys, and countless eggs. As STEEP utilize their property. demand has grown, rather than expanding Two key challenges that John and their own operation, John and Todd are By Colleen Rossier, National Agroforestry Center, Lincoln, NE Todd continue to face are: 1) invasive sharing the soaring market demand by plants; and 2) access to slaughter. They partnering with other farmers in the area are continuously experimenting with John and Todd Hopkins of Forks Farm are not new to agroforestry or local foods. In fact, they through the Pennsylvania Association for Owners of Forks Farm John and Todd Hopkinss standing how to use their animals and other started farming over 20 years ago on their 86-acre farm at the confluence of two rivers in Columbia Sustainable Agriculture (PASA). Now in front their delivery van. Photo by Colleen Rossier. techniques to control the multiflora rose, County, Pennsylvania. Now, they find that they have built quite a community around their family Japanese stilt grass, mile-a-minute, they sell products from 25-30 other farm, from their long-standing loyal customers to the many people whose farms they have helped Japanese knotweed, and barberry. The farmers through their farm stand, buyers’ to start, including neighbors, customers, and former employees. Their story is an inspiration. challenge with slaughter is that nearly all clubs, and wholesale marketing to of the meat producers in the area tend to brewpubs and restaurants. ]

ohn and Todd raise and sell entirely grassfed and is quick to note that he and Todd did not come up with grass-finished animals without or chemicals, all the ideas on their own, but follow and modify the and use trees around their farm in many creative ways. traditions of the The Stockman Grass , Joel Salatin, JThese farming choices make them ideal farmers for Wendell Barry, Bill Murphy, and others. the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which has been challenged After the first silvopasture was established, John and over the past decade with high sediment and nutrient Todd created several more. They have learned a great deal loads that result in and algae blooms. about what works and what does not. For instance, John now gravitates toward Tamworth . The Tamworths are When they bought their land in the late 1980s, however, Cattle graze in hardwood smarter, more aggressive, and do not sunburn easily which it was not in great shape. Thus, John and Todd have silvopasture plot on Forks Farm. embraced an adaptive management approach. As John is enables them to thrive outside without shelter. They also Photo by Colleen Rossier. not solely a farmer, but also a consulting and have large litters and are thus quite productive. Certified , he quickly noticed that the stand of Although hardwood silvopasture can sometimes be Virginia pines growing on steep ground were overly dense. controversial, John would argue that it is all about how well This left the forest floor barren and trees kept blowing you time your rotations, manage your animals, and read over. In the early 1990s, he thinned out the stand, keeping the landscape. John and Todd tend to use pigs in areas that a diverse mix of seed-producing hardwoods but removing have recently been thinned, or which have invasive plants. most of the pines. He also chipped the downed logs to They keep the pigs in these stands hasten the return of nutrients to the soil that would soon for about two weeks to a month, support a silvopasture. but do not allow them to re-graze It is all about how well After this thinning, John and Todd started intensively the same stand within the year. On you time your rotations, animals to improve and rehabilitate the land. For the other hand when cattle rotate this first forest patch, they moved pigs into the stand to into the stand, John and Todd manage your animals, and create a “flash disturbance” since they churn up the soil leave them in for one to three days, read the landscape. and root out old stumps. Then, they seeded cool season providing a high intensity graze grasses in the of this new hardwood silvopasture that requires a long term rest. plot. Once the grasses were growing well, they rotated Poultry follow the cattle, and stay on patches for about a beef cattle into the pasture, and followed them with laying day at a time. While John and Todd have learned a great hens that live in beautifully painted “egg-mobiles.” John deal about their silvopasture system over the last twenty-five 8 Inside Agroforestry ] Volume 22, Issue 2 Inside Agroforestry ] Volume 22, Issue 2 9 take shape and we've begun to harvest a Groundcover: Primarily white clover, to grow food/ in relation to each other. substantial amount of currants. We've also chewings fescue, and red fescue mix (can sub A key innovation in our orchard is the use of had a lot of fun along the way. Each year in meadow fescues) and perennial rye at forest garden guilds as an orchard design tool. Forest : early July, we throw open the farm for 30lbs/acre. Project Highlights Growing a Community for Your Orchard You're probably familiar with guilds – Currant Events, a celebration of the joys of By Erin Schneider, Hilltop Community Farm, La Valle, WI groups of people in a profession who enhance the tart along with the odd topical Roots/bulbs: daffodils each others’ skills and possibilities by sharing discussion on agricultural matters. We host information and resources with each other. planting days with local high school youth : none in orchard, though we do Shrubs It's been a long slow awakening this year In 2010 we began to plant our dream of Forest garden guilds are the arboreal in search of an annual Earth Day project. have hops and grapevines trellised adjacent 388 Planted as plum trees reluctantly break bud, our growing more fruit and building community, equivalent, a clutch of species that - when And of course we enjoy just relaxing in the to our Community Supported Agriculture bodies sluggish from consecutive polar while also seeking to improve soil and water planted together - complement one another orchard while the sun sets. (CSA) gardens. vortices. It's always with great anticipation quality and increase biodiversity and habitat by partitioning resources and/or creating Since much of our work is done by hand, : Winecaps – inoculated and exuberance that we welcome the for pollinators on our farm. What's more, networks of mutual support. With an a little up front work in design/site woodchips in a 3 experimental apple/peach planting season at our farm By now we've while we wanted to expand our markets and overstory (or two) of fruit or nut bearing assessment has gone a long way. For our one food forests. compared notes with growers, ordered new farm income we wanted to better leverage trees and an understory of shrubs, vines and acre orchard we replicated 23 forest gardens fruit trees to test, and grafted new scionwood; our labor, so we sought perennials that ground-covers, their design requires an eye treatments; wood chips, , in 4 different planting strips. Since then we Trees now we're ready to dig in for a 4th season would do naturally well on our farm. We both to complementarity and maximizing leaf litter, cardboard/newspaper, and forest prepare for future plantings by sheet 320 Planted establishing our orchard. For us, that means already had raspberries, gooseberries and the capture of sunlight in three dimensions duff incorporated in plant root zones at mulching and we continue to tweak and try planting and testing the next forest garden apples in the local neighbor-wood so we (see Edible Forest Gardens, by Dave Jacke initial planting. We started using straw, to find the optimal mix of understory and guild design. decided to add-in quince, currants, and Eric Tohenmeister, 2009 or though have had much better success with groundcover plantings. saskatoons, aronia, seaberry, honeyberry, and http://www.edibleforestgardens.com). A partially decomposed woodchips. 2012 American elderberry, all of which would be forest garden guild is not a new idea, but one How this work has broken down on started with seasonal applications equally well-adapted to our southern whose time has certainly come. We can the land. of compost tea. Wisconsin biome. These fruits are high- consciously apply the principles of plant Herbs & Swale: Red osier dogwood, viburnum, yielding, environmentally and grower community function to the design of layer: We did not plant large Grasses horseradish root, (yellow cone flower, golden 641 friendly, and are an exceptionally nutritional landscapes and our farms that mimic forest canopy nut trees in our orchard due to space; Integrated rod, asters 'just showing up'), mixed grasses. food source. structure and function, and also grow food, instead, our fruit trees serve the function of fuel, fiber, , , "farmaceuticals," a canopy layer. We have an iconic 'big mama Other: We have other food forests planted Ok. So you're into unusual fruit? What and fun. bur oak' at the bottom of our orchard slope on our farm though not integrated into our does that have to do with agroforestry and who 'keeps an eye on things'. Adjacent to the orchard area, these include plums, peaches, building community? On our farm, the result is so far looking orchard is another 3 acre slope where we apricots, pear, and cherry guilds and have a Elderberries ready to be harvested from to be greater than the sum of its parts. In the The shift is in not just thinking about have planted black walnuts, and red oak more intensive planting of culinary herbs/ Forest Garden. Photo by Erin Schneider. past year, our orchard has really started to Pollinater fruit, but thinking about function and how trees. Along our forest edges we're native cut flowers that we harvest for our 23 Plants considering meat goats to support CSA, and some medicinal herbs that we Sown brush management. harvest for our own use. Overstory: fruit trees – Quince – 17; In all cases we have begun to learn to plant Apples – 4; Cherry – 4; Persimmons – 2, what feeds us, weed out the extras, and stack Tips for your food forest: Apricots – 2 functions! Forest garden guilds can also serve as a metaphor for how you relate to people and to your community. A few transferrable tips to consider while you establish your food forest: Shrub layer: 20 seaberry; 23 elderberry; Forest gardens have much to offer on a 32 saskatoon; 60 currants – planted along practical level, and they continue to teach us Volunteers Pay attention to what’s Agroforestry Working Group is also a new – build beneficial the drip line of overstory layer; 20 about how to live in community as free and 612 Participated Observe! going on. Light, water, network wherein practitioners can pose Insectory habitat – this helps honeyberry; 60 aronia berry; 25 hazelnuts. interdependent beings in a functional way. slope, past , organization history, etc. questions and share expertise. manage for risk, repel disease, attract In each forest garden we have 1 At the start of another farm season I am once Connect to place, connect to the people and beneficial insects. Elderberry, dill, and fixing shrub (seaberry) and medicinal plant again reminded of how much we rely on one plants there. This will help inform decisions. a dynamic accumulator – go deep calendula can all help provide beneficial (elderberry). Gooseberries did not take (we another and the land to make a living. And Add and deepen your relationships for insects. At the community scale, think due to sequencing, gooseberries really ultimately, I want to be happy, make an your soil – if possible take 1 – 3 and commitment to your life purpose. create space for inclusiveness that allow for prefer more shade), so we substituted 20 honest living with dignity, and do what I honeyberries for gooseberry plants in 2012. love. And I love fruit, I love people, I love to Build years transitioning with a mix Examples in the plant world include diverse habitats of people and ideas to Project of cover crops. Start adding fertility in the farm. I hope you find success experimenting 486 Hours horseradish root, compass plant, and be expressed. Understory: Mix examples include: form of plants. Choose your nitrogen fixer with finding the right mix of plants and comfrey. Community organizations can dynamic accumulator plants – comfrey, – in our guilds it’s seaberry, purple prairie people for your farm and communities accelerate growth too. Through their lovage, horseradish root in swale; mt. mint clover, baptista, but it could be any of the – plant what feeds you! Add to thrive. ] where apples are planted; purple prairie or Elaganceae family. In your delegations and connections with their Food flavor and to your idea. At clover/blue false indigo; leadplant; direct community look for ways to build mutually growers and coffee drinkers, Just Coffee the end of the day what will keep you going? Contact: Erin Schneider seeded/transplanted chives, dill, yellow beneficial relationships. A good example of Cooperative has built deep, transparent For example, quince live over 100 years and [email protected]; coneflower, NE aster, black-eyed susan, relationships in understanding and we can expect yields of 400 - 600 lbs fruit/ www.hilltopcommunityfarm.org building community is the Value Chain penstemmon, prairie phlox, butterfly weed, Total practicing Fair Trade (and coffee thrives in tree. That’s a serious amount of fruit for a 6,000 Partnership in Iowa; they’ve created nested silphium (the latter we are finding makes a Cost an agroforestry system!). seriously long time! networks across food sectors to grow their great hedgerow plant). local food economy. The Midwest 10 Inside Agroforestry ] Volume 22, Issue 2 PRSRT STD Inside Agroforestry VOLUME 22, ISSUE 1 POSTAGE & FEES PAID USDA — FS USDA National Agroforestry Center PERMIT NO G-40 1945 N 38th St. Lincoln, NE 68583–0822

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12 Inside Agroforestry ] Volume 22, Issue 2