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Agroecosystem Management Program

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Agroforestry: Branching Out Project

Silvopasture Tour at Misty Oaks Farm in Wooster, Ohio
A silvopasture tour at Misty Oaks Farm in Wooster, Ohio, was part of the 2025 Ohio Agroforestry Summit.

Much is known about the characteristics, attitudes, and behaviors of U.S. family forest owners and agricultural landowners independently. However, little is known about those who own both woodland and farmland, and what, if any, agroforestry and woodland management practices are used by these Farmer Woodland Owners.

The Branching Out Project is working in Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin to create farmer learning circles for peer-to-peer learning and to connect with agriculture and natural resource professionals. Together we are identifying innovative uses of trees and forests within agricultural systems that can improve farm viability and increase environmental and social benefits.

The project began in 2023 and will continue to 2028. Goals include: 

   * Establish learning circles
   * Increase visibility of existing resources 
   * Create improved decisions support tools for farmers
   * Set up agroforestry demonstrations farms to learn from. 

The 2025 Agroforestry Summit in March was a major accomplishment of the Branching Out project in Ohio. This event drew more than 120 people interested in agroforestry. Agroforestry Learning Circles were initiated at this event and interested practitioners were able to connect with established agroforestry professionals from farms across the Midwest and learn about resources available from the Ohio Branching Out collaborators team.  

Watch for more agroforestry opportunities as we continue Branching Out! 

Join us!

Learn about future agroforestry events, including future Agroforestry Summits, or learning circles that are being developed around alley cropping, food forests, mushroom production, and Silvopasture.
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Learn more about the 2025 Ohio Agroforestry Summit
Article | Report

Learn more about the Branching Out project
Article

logos for project partners
Branching Out collaborators in Ohio and beyond include Central State University, Rural Action, Holden Arboretum, Michigan State University, and University of Wisconsin-Madison, Support for this project comes from USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.