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When Aaron Guman, Project Manager with the ADAPT team at the �鶹app, returned from the 2025 North American Agroforestry Conference in Missouri, he brought back more than research findings and networking contacts. He was energized by a community of practitioners who share his passion for integrating trees with agriculture, and equipped with examples of how these systems can succeed over the long term.

Global Conversations Reveal Universal Challenges

For Aaron, the conference was a valuable opportunity to compare notes with practitioners working in vastly different contexts. He describes an illuminating conversation with a Scottish researcher who sketched out a Venn diagram comparing agroforestry development across the UK, EU, and United States. 

"What struck me was how, despite completely different political systems and funding structures, we're all facing remarkably similar barriers," Guman explains. "Equitable land access, research funding gaps, and the need for more demonstration sites are challenges that transcend borders."

The conversation also revealed interesting contrasts. Guman was intrigued to learn about England's remnants of royal land ownership, where enormous percentages of land remain under royal family control. "It's such a stark difference from American land ownership patterns," he notes. "These kinds of exchanges really broaden your perspective on what's possible and what's challenging about implementing agroforestry in different contexts."

Seeing Mature Systems in Action

Coming from New England, where mature agroforestry demonstration sites are relatively scarce, Guman found the field tours especially valuable. The Missouri research farm showcased long-standing experiments that provided concrete evidence of system viability over decades.

"A highlight was this chestnut and winter wheat alley cropping system with an accompanying processing facility that's been operating successfully for twenty years," Guman shared with enthusiasm. "For those of us working to build economic arguments for agroforestry adoption, seeing that kind of proven track record was encouraging."

The tours weren't limited to established systems. Guman also visited newer operations featuring sheep and hog silvopasture systems incorporating tree fodder. "What I appreciated was seeing that farms at any stage of development, whether established twenty years ago or just getting started, all offer valuable learning opportunities," he observes.

Research That Spans Every Angle

The breadth of conference sessions, covering everything from economics and medicinal compounds to wildlife habitat, ecosystem services, soil health, and microbial communities, impressed Aaron. He says it reinforced how interdisciplinary the field is and how many different benefits these systems can provide.

Guman heard themes in the feedback sessions that resonated with his own professional experience. "Researchers kept emphasizing what we all know we need: more demonstration sites showing systems that work physically, ecologically, and economically," he explains. There’s a widespread hunger for practical data like establishment costs, realistic timelines, and specific guidance for farmers and foresters who want to try this.

The policy discussions particularly struck him because they emphasized that it’s not only about increasing the amount of funding available, but providing structural support that matches how farmers actually operate. Aaron saw that other attendees appreciated the practical thinking about implementation barriers.

Acknowledging Indigenous Wisdom

Aaron appreciated the conference's recognition of agroforestry's Indigenous roots. Several sessions acknowledged that current research represents a rediscovery of ancient practices embedded in cultures worldwide. "It made me reflect on how our modern work is really about rediscovering methods of relating to the land that have been ignored or actively suppressed," Aaron shared. "That awareness brings humility in what we're trying to accomplish."

He was also excited by the conference's innovative format, which incorporated participatory sessions with body movement and art alongside traditional presentations. "The creative approaches opened up different ways of sharing knowledge and building community that complemented the scientific content beautifully."

Building Professional Community

Perhaps what impressed Aaron most was the welcoming atmosphere throughout the event. As someone relatively new to the agroforestry academic field, he had wondered how he'd fit into a gathering of established researchers and practitioners.

"Academic veterans with PhDs and decades of experience approached early-career people like myself with genuine curiosity about our work," he recalls. "It created opportunities for meaningful exchange. The community felt supportive rather than competitive."

The conference food featured local agroforestry ingredients including walnuts, persimmons, and elderberries, while a student-organized bake sale supporting the campus agroforestry club added to the community atmosphere.

Welcoming Newcomers

A key takeaway for Aaron was that "this is the conference for North American agroforestry." Anyone in the field should come ready to absorb an incredible amount of information from passionate, knowledgeable practitioners. The combination of cutting-edge research, practical applications, and genuine community makes it invaluable.

The experience also reinforced Aaron’s belief about the field's future: that agroforestry's success depends on continued collaboration across disciplines, geographies, and experience levels. The conference reminded him that “we're all working toward the same goal, even from different angles and in different places.”

As he settles back into his work with the ADAPT team, Guman carries new research findings, professional contacts, and renewed confidence in the agroforestry community. "Sometimes you need that reminder that you're part of something bigger," he says.

For more about the 2025 NAA Conference including a great photo gallery, check out the Center for Agroforestry’s latest newsletter story, “.”

Yale Forest Research Opportunities 

The Yale Forests are living laboratory for teaching, management, and research. The Forests span over 10,000 acres of forestland across three New England states. The Yale Forests welcome research applications from faculty, students, and research affiliates from across Yale and from other universities and organizations. Prospective researchers should contact Laura Green, Research & Extension Forester, at laura.green@yale.edu for additional information and tion. For more information visit: