Adding trees to a pasture benefits livestock and can create additional sources of revenue through edible crops and timber. A recently completed Northeast SARE Professional Development Program grant project created a one-stop shop for anyone looking to learn (or teach) about developing a silvopasture operation to enhance the productivity and the resilience of active pasture.
Integrating trees into pasture simultaneously addresses issues around farm economy (over-reliance on single-income streams and off-farm feed), animal welfare, extreme weather resiliency (heat-stress, cold-stress, feed availability during drought), and reduces stormwater runoff and erosion, while enhancing biodiversity. A challenge is that few farmers and ag professionals are well-versed in both grazing and trees, especially tree establishment in the challenging conditions of active pasture.
Austin Unruh, project leader for ENE23-187 - started Trees For Graziers with the specific goal of helping farmers integrate trees into their pasture operations. Since their first silvopasture planting in 2020, they have worked with dozens of farms to plan and implement silvopasture systems on their farms. Sara Wuerstle provided support in training program development, and developed training content based on varied experience in contexts around the country and world. Thomas Droege supported resource development and hosting training programs.
This grant has given us the tremendous opportunity to develop the resources and fine-tune the trainings, such that they are now ready for much broader rollout, as we aim to roll out the practice of silvopasture in general across a much greater geography with as many empowered, educated service professionals as possible. - from the project final report
During the course of this project, the team produced 15 publications and offered 14 educational programs to 50 farmers and 67 Agricultural service providers. As a result, thirty-five participants have reported helping 190 farmers with 1,304 acres of silvopasture plantings directly so far.
"The real impact of the SilvoPro training was that it gave me the confidence and depth of knowledge to launch silvopasture education efforts statewide in NY, and to push for more silvopasture research and promotion at the University level. Together with 2 other SilvoPro participants from NYS, we launched a new network for Cornell Cooperative Extension, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, University researchers, industry leaders, and non-profit staff to build connections, share knowledge, and learn together. We hold monthly meetings and bring in guest presenters to help us all grow our skills. We collaborate on educational events and funding applications. We are building the foundation of a support system that will grow silvopasture implementation by thousands of acres in the coming years." - Extension professional in New York