Episode 235. Silvopasture 101

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Katherine Favor sits down with silvopasture specialist Delie Wilkens to talk about the basics of silvopasture, an agroforestry practice integrating trees, forage, and the grazing of livestock.

Delie currently serves as the program analyst for the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, a nonprofit organization that works to advance the health and vitality of the nation’s working forests and forest-reliant communities. She has been working in forestry, agroforestry, and sustainable agriculture for many years, and has researched silvopasture adoption and best practices in the Southeast.

Less than one percent of farms in the U.S. use silvopasture, Delie says, although she sees it gaining popularity in the future.

Katherine and Delie discuss the benefits, applications, and social considerations surrounding silvopasture adoption in the U.S. Delie also shares advice for designing, implementing, and managing silvopasture systems as well as things to keep in mind before beginning a silvopasture enterprise.

ATTRA Resources:

• Agroforestry: An Overview
• Opportunities in Agroforestry

Other Resources:

• U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities
• California Department of Food and Agriculture Healthy Soils Program
• NRCS Conservation Programs

Contact Katherine Favor via email at Katherinef@ncat.org.

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