The New England Agroforester - Fall Equinox 2025
The ADAPT Fall Gathering on September 17 brought together team members from throughout New England. Pictured: Edwin Hernández GarcĂa (UNH), Megan Glenn (UNH), Ryan Smith (UNH), Michael Smith (UNH), Martha Torstenson (Dartmouth), Aaron Hoag (UNH), Krystal Bagnaschi (Dartmouth), Heidi Asbjornsen (UNH), Aaron Guman (UNH), Theresa Ong (Dartmouth), Laurie Mooney (UNH), Stephen Eisenhaure (UNH), Alix Contosta (UNH), Ranjit Bawa (UNH), Umama Begum Ruba (UNH), Analena Bruce (UNH), Sajja Panta (UNH), Jannatul Ferdous (UNH), Shannon Van Hise (UNH). Photo: Jess Gerrior (UNH)
Introducing the New England Agroforester
is the 's quarterly newsletter, providing timely and useful info on regional agroforestry projects, training opportunities, research activities, events, job postings, funding announcements, and more. Through this newsletter, we hope you’ll learn about agroforestry developments in New England and get involved in your own community.
, a USDA-funded project based at Â鶹app, with partners Dartmouth College and Yale University and in collaboration with cooperators, consultants, and service providers throughout the Northeast, explores agroforestry's potential as a climate-smart and sustainable strategy for expanding agricultural production in New England.
The New England Agroforester is part of ADAPT’s commitment to communicating relevant developments and resources to a wider audience. Through integrated , , and , ADAPT is developing a network of demonstration sites, creating the New England Agroforestry Training Program (NEAT) at , and providing agroforestry educational opportunities. Our newsletter Editorial Advisory Board provides expert guidance and support, contributing to strategic direction, content quality, and impact among the diverse agroforestry community.
Check out our story in UNH Today, explore the , and learn what a have discovered about the climate and economic benefits of agriculture in forests.
What you’ll find in The New England Agroforester:
Feature Stories are in-depth articles with photos showcasing current agroforestry projects or practices, highlighting the diversity and creativity within agroforestry practices. These could be case studies, descriptions of farm/forest management strategies, policy developments affecting agroforestry, or organizations doing interesting work in the field.
provides practical tools, guides, and cooperative opportunities to help practitioners implement and improve their agroforestry systems. This section connects community members with technical resources and networking opportunities to share knowledge, solve challenges, and collaborate on projects.
feature in-depth interviews or stories on farmers, foresters, land managers, and others who are implementing agroforestry systems, describing their ambitions, challenges, and innovations. These profiles highlight personal stories behind successful operations to inspire and inform the growth of agroforestry in New England.
features summaries of recent studies and findings, proposed research applications, researcher profiles, and invitations to participate in current research projects.
offers educational opportunities such as classes, professional development, publications, guides, webinars, and surveys to advance agroforestry knowledge and skills. This includes both formal and informal learning pathways to understanding and implementing sustainable tree-crop systems.
includes grants and financial resources with application information to help practitioners, researchers, and organizations secure capital for agroforestry projects. This section provides detailed funding announcements, eligibility requirements, and deadlines to support the financial growth needed to establish, expand, or research agroforestry systems.
features upcoming workshops, field days, conferences, and webinars that bring together the agroforestry community for learning and networking. Dates and details for both virtual and in-person events where practitioners can gain practical skills, share experiences, and connect with fellow professionals in the field.
are where to share and find equipment and materials, land and property, professional services, job opportunities, member/subscriber connections, etc.
features photos, maps, drawings, and visuals from the agroforestry community, showcasing tree-crop systems, wildlife, seasonal changes on working landscapes, and other subjects.
Do you want to see a policy section in this newsletter? An agroforestry policy section may include regional and statewide legislative updates, market perspectives on relevant regulations, topics of land tenure and equity, policies around research and education, news on changes or terminations of existing programs, and opportunities to advocate. What are your interests and questions concerning policy as an agroforestry practitioner, researcher, consultant, educator, or concerned community member?
Help grow our community of readers
Do you know someone involved in forest, farm, conservation, or food systems who would be interested in The New England Agroforester? We are growing our community of readers and invite you to with them.
The Learning Landscape
: Science-based, region-specific information and technologies to enable climate-informed decision-making
Those interested in offerings can view by Lindsey Rustad, PhD, Director, USDA Northeast Climate Hub that includes (1) an overview of the USDA Climate Hubs, (2) a focus on the Northeast Climate Hub, and (3) Northeast impacts, adaptation and mitigation. The Northeast Climate Hub also offers a that includes "Weathering the Change," an eight-part educational series about climate change, how it is affecting agriculture in the US, and how producers can be resilient to those changes. For more information visit the .
Agroforestry Transition Hub
Through a SARE grant, ADAPT Project lead and her team at Dartmouth College have developed the for education and on-farm research to advance agroforestry for climate resilience for Northeast farmers. This set of education and technical assistance resources (including the , , and video) range from crop production, farm business management, natural resources and environment, pest management, soil management, and sustainable communities. The project provides farmers with seedlings and support to bolster on-farm climate resilience, which is measured by soil health indicators. The target is 200 farmers reached through peer-peer networking and measurable improvements in soil water infiltration for farms participating in the training program. For more information, visit the .
: Native and climate-resilient plant resources for Northeast landscapes
in North Yarmouth, Maine equips community members with the resources they need to collectively restore native plants that expand wildlife habitat, support biodiversity, and build climate resilience. Recent newsletter highlights include bayberry, pagoda dogwood, black elderberry, silky dogwood, and shrubby St. John's Wort—native species well-suited to Northeast landscapes. Wild Seed Project grows their plants from seed, and proceeds from plant sales help fund their conservation initiatives. The organization maintains a comprehensive "Learn" section on their website with a resource library that includes publications, instructional videos, and the excellent Wild Seed magazine. Their educational materials cover topics such as gardening with native plants for biodiversity, developing climate-resilient plantings, and selecting appropriate native groundcovers, shrubs, and trees for Northeast regions. For more information, visit the .
Cornell Small Farms Program: Live instruction begins this week
The connects farmers with extension educators, agricultural service providers, and experienced farm mentors. The Program pairs live instruction and Q&A with self-paced work that can be done around chores, and farmers keep the materials to revisit as their farm evolves. The first block of live-instructed courses begins this week (September 22). For more information, visit .
Events Calendar
ADAPT Agroforestry Training at UNH
The ADAPT team at UNH is developing for farmers, land managers, and professionals who work with the farming community. We encourage folks to fill out to be notified when trainings and workshops are scheduled. For more information contact: Steven S. Roberge, Extension Forestry Specialist & Professor, NH Licensed Forester #421, UNH Cooperative Extension, by email: steven.roberge@unh.edu or phone: (603) 862-4861 office, (603) 674-7095 cell.
Fall Offerings at Wild Seed Project
See for full details and links to sign up. Note: Outdoor events are subject to change due to weather.
Saturday, October 4: with Wolfe's Neck Environmental Center
Tuesday, October 14: – online
Thursday, October 23: with Friends of Fort Williams
Tuesday, October 28: with Kennebec Estuary Land Trust
Friday, November 7: at Viles Arboretum
Thursday, November 13: – online
Saturday, November 15: at Portland Public Library Burbank Branch
Thursday, December 4: – online
Saturday, December 6: at Wild Seed Project’s Native Seed Center
Tuesday, December 9: – online
Forest Farming with Botanicals at UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Tuesday, October 7 and Wednesday, October 8. Learn how to successfully establish a production-scale forest botanical polyculture. Includes a ginseng planting immersive led by Kai Thomas of Soul Fire Farm and Liang Cheng, Quebecois ginseng grower, Young Roots Farm. Each participant will leave with a small pack of ginseng seeds and planting instructions. Forest Farming workshops are a collaboration among the University of Vermont, , NOFA-VT, VT Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, Northeast Forest Farmers Coalition, and USDA Northeast Climate Hub. This workshop earns one RAP Agricultural Water Quality education credit. For more information, visit the .
Annual Harvest Festival at Yale-Myers Forest
Saturday, September 27, 2025 at Yale-Myers Forest Camp in Eastford, Connecticut. For more information, visit the .
Highstead’s 2025 Regional Conservation Partnership Network Gathering
Thursday, November 6 at UMass Amherst. The Regional Conservation Partnership (RCP) v is an inclusive forum for people to meet and share stories about collaborative landscape conservation. Sessions include “Centering Reciprocity in Land Trust and Indigenous Community Relationships” and “Coordinating Across Geographies, Scales, Strategies, and Sectors to Improve Conservation Outcomes for All.” Featuring 16 dynamic sessions led by nearly 50 speakers, plus a special closing plenary, this FREE event offers something for everyone. Visit the for the , , and . The registration deadline is Thursday, October 30, 2025. For more information, email: RCPInfo@highstead.net.
Save-the-Date: New England Society of American Foresters (NESAF) Annual Meeting 2026
March 18-20, 2026 in South Portland, Maine. For more information, visit .
Seed Fall Planting Workshop
Saturday, October 4 in Freeport, Maine. Want to learn how to plant a native garden from scratch and get your hands dirty while you're at it? Wild Seed Project and Wolfe's Neck are teaming up to offer a hands-on fall planting workshop. For more information and to register, visit .
Funding & Finance Opportunities
(NESAF) invites ideas for projects or programs in need of financial support through the . Grants can be used to educate the public about professional forestry and to promote the role of foresters in forest resource management. Applications are considered once per year and are due by December 1 (prior to the December meeting of the NESAF Executive Committee). For more information, visit .
lists funding opportunities including grants, loans, and financial assistance. Anyone needing help navigating the Agency’s funding opportunities can also contact the Agriculture Resource Navigator at 802-261-7395 or email Jennifer.Porter@vermont.gov.
(AFT) lists grants on their website including program, which provides up to $10,000 in funds for livestock farmers in select counties in Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut to adopt regenerative agriculture practices. Readers can also about future grant cycles. AFT can also help farmers , , access through , and . Their page includes resources for , , , . For more information, visit .
Classifieds
Free Trees for Livestock Farmers
The (NRCD) has trees available for livestock farms throughout the Connecticut River Watershed Farmers Alliance (CRWFA) area, not just in the White River district. Tree species include yellow bud hickory, mulberry, chestnut, and honey locust, all useful as food or fiber, for pollinators, and to support biodiversity in general. Get 20-50 trees per farm. Fall 2025 Orders must be placed by October 1. For more information, email or call (802) 369-3167.
Agroforestry Employment
Research Assistant Professor in Agroforestry at Â鶹app:
A position is still open and has been. The ADAPT team appreciates your help in spreading the word to anyone who may be interested or knows of potentially interested candidates.
(NESAF) provides job listings for forest professionals and organizations. For more information, visit .
Graduate Student and Postgraduate Employment at Yale Forests:
Yale Forests hires in the fall season for Forest Manager and Assistant Manager and Agroforestry Research Postgraduate Associate positions. For more information visit .
Forest Technician/Forester at Upper Valley Forest Management:
(UVFM) in Thetford Center, Vermont is hiring a Forest Technician / Forester. For full job description and application details, visit or contact Donn Downey, donn@uppervalleyforest.com.
New England Society of American Foresters’ Job Listings:
NESAF provides job listings for forest professionals and organizations. Job listings are posted for 45 days. Use NESAF’s to submit your listing.
Executive Director at Wild Seed Project
Wild Seed Project is hiring an . While interviews are currently underway, applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. Apply by sending a cover letter and resume to edsearch@wildseedproject.net.
Be an Editorial Advisor for The New England Agroforester
The New England Agroforester welcomes newcomers to the Editorial Advisory Board! We also offer our invitation and guidelines for submissions and are happy to work with you to create stories, articles, listings, profiles, and news you’d like to share. For more info: Contact Jess Gerrior, Communications Specialist/Newsletter Editor, by emailing agroforestry@unh.edu.
Photo Synthesis: Reader-Submitted Images
An ADAPT field visit to a chinese chestnut silvopasture by addition at Big River Chestnuts in Sunderland, MA. PHOTO CREDIT: Ryan Smith
UNH Land, Water, and Life Acknowledgement
As we all journey on the trail of life, we wish to acknowledge the spiritual and physical connection the Pennacook, Abenaki, and Wabanaki Peoples have maintained to ±·â€™d˛ą°ěľ±˛Ô˛Ô˛ą (homeland) and the aki (land), nebi (water), olakwika (flora), and awaasak (fauna) which the Â鶹app community is honored to steward today. We also acknowledge the hardships they continue to endure after the loss of unceded homelands and champion the university’s responsibility to foster relationships and opportunities that strengthen the well-being of the Indigenous People who carry forward the traditions of their ancestors.