Our Approach
Site-specific. Explanation included. We design from the land outward, not from a template inward.
Agriculture that doesn't deplete what it depends on
Most agricultural land in the United States is managed without trees. That wasn't always true, and the shift away from woody perennials has left many farm landscapes more exposed, more erosion-prone, and less biologically diverse than they were a century ago.
Agroforestry doesn't require abandoning what makes a farm financially viable. It asks a different question: what can trees do for this operation that we're currently getting from inputs, infrastructure, or luck with weather?
The answer is different for every property. On a livestock farm with exposed pastures, shade trees can meaningfully reduce summer heat stress and lower animal mortality. On a crop farm with wind-erosion problems, tree rows can pay for themselves quickly in reduced soil loss. On a property with mature woodland that generates no income, forest farming practices can change that without removing a single canopy tree.
We design from the land outward, not from a template inward.
That means every project begins with a real assessment of the site — its soils, slope, hydrology, existing vegetation, and the ecological and economic pressures the operation faces. We bring knowledge of what has worked in similar contexts, and we bring honesty about what hasn't.
We also believe that a landowner who understands why a system is designed the way it is will manage it better over the years than one who follows a plan they don't fully understand. Explanation is part of every project, not an optional extra.
How a project unfolds
Phase 1
Initial Conversation
Before any site visitWe start with a conversation about your land, your goals, and your operation. This isn't a sales call. It's an opportunity for both of us to understand whether agroforestry is a genuine fit and, if so, which practices are most worth exploring. We'd rather tell you early that a practice doesn't suit your context than waste your time and ours on a site visit that leads nowhere.
Phase 2
Site Assessment
On your propertyWe visit your land and observe it directly. Topography, soil character, drainage patterns, existing vegetation, wind direction, sun angles, nearby waterways, fence lines, access roads — all of this shapes what's possible and what will actually work. We also listen to how you work the land: your equipment, your labor peaks and valleys, your seasonal rhythms. The site assessment is where we gather the raw material the design is built from.
Phase 3
System Design
Delivered after site assessmentBased on the assessment, we develop a written agroforestry plan that includes species recommendations with specific reasoning, a planting layout with maps, spacing specifications, a phased establishment timeline, and management guidance for the first several years. The plan is written to be used in the field, not shelved after the first read.
Phase 4
Planting Support & Establishment
Year one and beyondWe're available to assist on planting day and during the establishment period, when trees are most vulnerable and questions come up most frequently. We can advise on sourcing quality planting stock, review planting methods, and troubleshoot problems during establishment. The right support at this stage protects the investment made in design and planting.
Phase 5
Ongoing Management Consultation
As your system maturesAgroforestry systems change. Trees grow, competitive pressures shift, your operation may change direction, and new opportunities emerge as the system matures. We remain available for management consultations over time, and we're glad to hear from clients years after a planting project to talk through what the system is doing and where it's headed.
Ready to talk about your land?
A conversation costs nothing. Tell us what you're working with and what you're hoping to build.
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