In this nutshell talk, Amélie Gaudin of UC Davis presents her research on the use of grazing in perennial cropping systems, including orchards and vineyards. Grazing in perennial cropping systems is a form of silvopasture - an agroforestry practice that integrates trees, forage, and livestock. In her presentation, Amélie discusses how grazing can be used for biomass and weed control,, wildfire suppression, pest suppression, income diversification, improved soil health, increa

In this month’s nutshell talk, we hear from Matt Smith - the Research Program Lead at the USDA National Agroforestry Center - and Sam Feibel - Technical Assistance and Science Delivery Fellow at the USDA National Agroforestry Center. Matt and Smith discuss their work analyzing agroforestry trends and data from the Census of Agricultura and the National Agroforestry Producers Survey - the first national survey of agroforestry producers in specific. This survey includes data f

In this video we visit Sierra Orchards in Winters, California, to learn about how they're integrating sheep into their walnut orchard to promote biodiversity, ecological balance, and long-term farm resilience. Sierra Orchards’ silvopasture operation addresses a critical challenge in organic orchard management: biomass control during harvest season. The McNamera Family grows diverse cover crops year-round to maintain living roots in the soil and support beneficial soil organis

In this video we visit Free Spirit Farm in Winters, California, to learn about the ins and outs of their diversified fruit orchard. Farmer Toby Hastings discusses how crop diversity can strengthen farm resilience and ecological function.

In this nutshell talk, Mark Batcheler of the USDA National Agroforestry Center presents his research on how silvopasture can be used to reduce wildfire fuels on the West Coast.

In this "nutshell talk," Amy Quandt and Judy Bross of San Diego State University discuss their research about how extreme weather in San Diego County is impacting farmers and ranchers, and how practitioners are using adaptation strategies like agroforestry to address it.