Midwest Agroforestry Farm Network expands to include Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin! Farmers, landowners, and technical assistance providers interested in #agroforestry and woody crops can visit www.savannainstitute.org/farm-network to learn about upcoming events and resources.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at #PFG2026! 360 people gathered in Dubuque, Iowa March 11-13th for 60+ presenters hosting 35 sessions over 3 days. A special thanks to our keynote speakers, Wendy Johnson of Jóia Food & Fiber Farm and Liz Carlisle, co-editor of the book "Living Roots"!

An IL‑based study is taking a fresh look at windbreaks—tree and shrub systems that protect farms from extreme weather and soil loss—to show how they can still pay off for farmers today. Supporters say removing them can actually cost farmers money. #ClimateResilience @savannainstitute.bsky.social

Excited to host the public launch of this book at our upcoming Perennial Farm Gathering, #PFG2026! www.savannainstitute.org/pfg2026/

Our work is rooted in the belief that healthy land and healthy communities are inseparable. We join the overwhelming call for immigration enforcement to deescalate violence and depart Minneapolis for the sake of our staff and neighbors. For support, see this list: civileats.com/2026/01/27/t...

🌰🌳In Urbana, IL, Kaitie Adams runs @savannainstitute.bsky.social's Agroforestry Demonstration Farm, stewarding 11 windbreak systems & 3 alley cropping systems to understand regional best practices. In the heart of the Corn Belt, her team shows farmers an alternative vision of what’s possible.

NOW HIRING: Illinois Demonstration Farm Manager Location: Urbana, IL Apply by: Feb. 8th, 2026 Start date: March 23rd, 2026 Details: www.savannainstitute.org/jobs/

‼️Early bird pricing for #PFG2026 ends Thursday—get your tickets now! Farmers and students get an additional 35% off all tickets with code ROOTS35. Take advantage of our discounted rates for the PFG: March 11-13th in Dubuque, Iowa. 🎟️Get tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-peren...

Our new searchable library of #agroforestry and #perennialagriculture resources is now live at www.savannainstitute.org/resource-library!

Liz Carlisle will host a book release for "Living Roots: The Promise of Perennial Foods" at #PFG2026 in Dubuque, Iowa on March 12th. “The exciting thing about growing and eating more perennial foods is that it brings a really wide range of people together to invest in our shared future,” she says.

The Agroforestry Coalition is building a national, open-source directory of #agroforestry nurseries. Please take a few minutes to complete the entry form by Dec. 31, 2025. The directory will launch in January 2026: agroforestrycoalition.org/nurseries-di...

Anytime "Midwest farmers are going nuts," you can be sure the Savanna Institute is involved. We and a number of our partners are featured in this article by @elizabethhewitt.bsky.social for @reasonstobecheerful.world about Midwest #agroforestry!

Iowa farmer Wendy Johnson will be a keynote presenter at #PFG2026, which will be held at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa from March 11th-13th, 2026. “Agroforestry and perennializing are great for our next generation,” she says. Learn more at www.savannainstitute.org/iowa-farmer-...

Our next Perennial Farm Gathering #PFG2026 will be held March 11th-13th at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa! Tickets and sponsorships for this event are now available at www.savannainstitute.org/pfg2026

Savanna Institute staff members Lily Hislop and Jenn Ripp are attending the 6th World Congress on Agroforestry #WCA2025 this week in Kigali, Rwanda! Lily and Jenn presented posters about their work and took part in sessions, field tours, and networking opportunities at the event, which ends today.

“I think we're still trying to fully understand — or better understand — what role drones play, especially in sustainable agriculture." -José Franco, Savanna Institute Learn how we're using drones to estimate yields and biomass in this story by @kbianews.bsky.social www.kbia.org/kbia-news/20...

At the @uwmadison.bsky.social Kegonsa Research Campus, scientists from across UW and the @savannainstitute.bsky.social are growing currant berries between solar panels. This practice is known as #agrivoltaics and has many potential benefits. Learn more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMGH...

The first ever nation-wide map of agroforestry demonstration sites just got even better. Find an #agroforestry demonstration site near you at www.catalyzingagroforestry.org/arkxdemonstr... Read more at agroforestrycoalition.org/map-demo-sit...

Our new resource, "Financing Trees & Perennial Crops for Your Farm: An Agroforestry Primer," helps producers explore financing options for #agroforestry and perennial agriculture. Get your free PDF here: savannainstitute.org/Download-Fin...

We were excited to see this story from National Geographic about Wendy Johnson, one of the keynote speakers at our upcoming Perennial Farm Gathering! #PFG2026 www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/... Story by @cassidyrandall.bsky.social Photos by @renaeffendi.bsky.social

Canopy Nursery Spring 2026 Nursery Orders Are Open! This year we have a wide selection! Asian Pears, Peaches, Heartnuts, Elderberries, Honeyberries, Gooseberries, Serviceberries, Jostaberries, Bush Cherries, Grafted and Seedling Persimmons, and Willow Cuttings. Use Code EARLYBIRD for free shipping.

What can we learn from livestock producers about marketing #agroforestry products? Free webinar hosted by the #AgroforestryCoalition Thursday, September 4th 9am PT / 10am MT / 11am CT / 12pm ET Register at agroforestrycoalition.org/event/grassf...

“There are a million different ways of doing agroforestry,” Oviatt said. “You have to take the different components and see what works on your farm.” Staff member MJ Oviatt talks about #agroforestry in last week's story from Illinois Farmer Today! agupdate.com/illinoisfarm...

Good time to follow our friends at @canopyfm.bsky.social on their new Bluesky account!

Wisconsin Hazelnut Week, Aug. 19-22 Free | Registration required: www.midwesthazelnuts.org/coming-event... "Now is the time for growers to learn what it takes to grow hazelnuts, what the markets look like, and how to get started,” says Jason Fischbach, UW-Extension Emerging Crops Specialist.

We hope you'll join us at an event this summer! We have some exciting events in the coming months across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. These are great opportunities to get to know our organization and to see #agroforestry in action. Find an event near you at: www.savannainstitute.org/events/

In #agroforestry we talk a lot about the role of trees on farms, but are we neglecting the potential of farming in forests?

We are pleased to be a sponsor of this year's North American Agroforestry Conference, hosted by the University of Missouri's Center for Agroforestry and the Association for Temperate Agroforestry (AFTA). You can learn more and register at centerforagroforestry.org/2025naac/

Terrific discussion on @savannainstitute.bsky.social podcast of a huge #reforestation project across Mexico that's had successes & failures, been accused of corruption, but ultimately is helping many people transition to #agroforestry Featuring @scientistsophia.bsky.social & others w/ new research:

“If there’s one big takeaway from the various farming experiences I’ve had and continue to seek out, it’s that nobody does it alone,” says @serenalarkin.bsky.social, a participant in our On-Farm Training Program. Read more in our latest Perennial Report: www.savannainstitute.org/perennial-re...

Termination of the Expanding #Agroforestry Project is covered in a story this week by @civileats.com, featuring Executive Director Keefe Keeley and collaborators at Trees for Graziers and Appalachian Sustainable Development:

Read more about Derek’s story and our impact on growing agroforestry here: www.savannainstitute.org/perennial-re...

This Earth Day, we're excited to share our latest Perennial Report with you! In it, we highlight some of our work together in 2024, including features about our On-Farm Training Program and a look back at the 2024 Perennial Farm Gathering: www.savannainstitute.org/perennial-re...

“I don’t think this plant is a lost cause,” said Lily Hislop @currantlylily.bsky.social, who runs the only institutionally backed #blackcurrant breeding program in the West at the Savanna Institute. #Blackcurrants showing up in Ambrook Research! ambrook.com/research/cro... @jessehirsch.bsky.social

Nearly every day, decisions are being made that have profound consequences for how we grow, process, transport, and consume food in this country. Keep up with the latest changes with the Civil Eats Food Policy Tracker.

The American #persimmon grows wild throughout the eastern US, and offers nutritious, abundant fruit that can be eaten by both humans and livestock. Learn more at www.savannainstitute.org/persimmon See if #persimmons are suitable for your land at CanopyCompass.com #agroforestry #silvopasture

US farms practicing #climate friendly #agroforestry grew 6% in recent years, but the federal funding freeze has halted those gains for the moment @sarahderouin.com reports for @mongabay.bsky.social on the national & practical effects, with a view from Appalachia where these funds have been key:

Why do #agroforestry? Additional income, higher yields, healthier livestock, more abundant wildlife, reduced labor, improved quality of life, and opportunities for leaving a legacy are just some of the reasons why these experienced farmers are incorporating trees and woody shrubs into their farms.

#Agroforestry and #agrivoltaics deal with many of the same management challenges. Are there opportunities to use them to reduce heat stress in vineyard production?

Research scientist Lily Hislop @currantlylily.bsky.social demonstrates how elderberry juice can be used as a pH indicator. You can learn more about #elderberry, a native, nutrient-rich fruit, and other deep-rooted perennial crops at www.savannainstitute.org/crops/

Is agroforestry increasing in the US? A new pub reviews the #agroforestry results of the 2017 and 2022 Census of Agriculture, finding an overall increase in farms reporting agroforestry practices. Details at: doi.org/10.1007/s104...

With tariffs on Canadian goods taking hold, US producers of maple syrup look for ways to protect their businesses, maintain stronger forests, and brace against climate change.

#Silvopasture in the news:

Where can #agroforestry adoption have the greatest impact in the US Midwest? University of Illinois researcher Sarah Castle and collaborators (including Savanna Institute researchers) are featured on @earthdotcom.bsky.social for agroforestry suitability mapping: www.earth.com/news/agrofor...

Wisconsin farmers: Are you looking for financing? We are seeking ag borrowers interested in participating in a 2025 pilot project to explore the potential of the Wisconsin Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program for financing agroforestry. Learn more at: www.savannainstitute.org/wi-pace

Happening now! centerforagroforestry.org/annual-sympo... Free virtual attendance to today's #Agroforestry Symposium in Missouri!

Mowing & mulching between tree rows at Hudson Agroforestry Demonstration Farm in Illinois (video by Canopy Farm Management). You can learn more about our demo and partner farms at www.savannainstitute.org/farms/ #agroforestry #treecrops #windbreak #alleycropping #perennialfarming #farmingwithtrees

Online Town Hall Meeting: Wednesday, Jan. 22nd The Expanding Agroforestry Project is launching its second producer application cycle, inviting eligible producers to apply for #agroforestry incentive payments: www.savannainstitute.org/event/expand...

Why trees on farms? When people integrate trees and shrubs with crops and livestock on farms, they can create habitat for wildlife, improve water and soil quality, produce healthier crops and animals, and help restore natural balance to the climate. #agroforestry

Looking for on-farm #agroforestry training? Our On-Farm Training Program (formerly Apprenticeship Program) might be right for you. This program offers a wide variety of opportunities to suit most interests and experience levels. Learn more and apply today at www.savannainstitute.org/on-farm-trai...