Transforming A New Farm Into A Thriving Silvopasture

We designed and planted 12 acres of mixed agroforestry systems around the farm in our first season in 2023. This is simply a tour of how things look at this stage and our thinking at this time to keep track of of changes throughout the life of this farm.
www.wildeastfarm.com
smallscalerevival
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smallscalerevival
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[@ADAWC]

Organized!👍 Well planted for the future! Good work!❤

[@leoscheibelhut940]

I'm super impressed with your plans and progress towards your goals! I'm curious why you didn't interplant your long term nut field with faster producing woody crops like black locust, hazelnuts, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, mulberries, and honey locust? It seems like the natural way to get an earlier return while proceeding to your long term nut production goal.
Most local SWCD offer very inexpensive bareroot native tree and shrub saplings or seedlings in the spring. In my area, bundles of 25 saplings cost between $35 and $50.

[@smallscalerevival]

We've been interplanting with faster growing trees this year, but initially cost was a limiting factor in having high intensity plantings. The poorer soils in this pasture also don't facilitate us deciding to plant many high value perennials in here, but the nut trees can thrive nonetheless.

[@leoscheibelhut940]

@smallscalerevival Thank you for your reply. Cost is always a huge factor. Perhaps in years to come NFTs can help speed the nut growth.

[@MrScienceguy72]

I really enjoyed the video. I do have one question... Did you add compost or topsoil into the holes you planted the fruit and nut trees in? I heard that no soil amendments encourage the roots to spread out and will help stabilized the young trees.

[@smallscalerevival]

We added wood chip mulch as a weed suppressant and to encourage mycelium development. We too dressed the hole with some rock dust and a solution of fish emulsion, molasses, and kelp meal to kickstart the microbiology. Each trees root was dipped in an endomycorhizzal fungal inoculate. No amendments in the hole, as this can burn roots and create anaerobic conditions in the hole

[@MrScienceguy72]

@@smallscalerevival I watch and follow tons of farmers on TH-cam. I feel like I finally found someone who shares my philosophy and best practice techniques. I can't express how grateful I am that you are sharing so much scientific knowledge in a relatable manner. You are a great teacher! Hopefully I can make it to one of your tours or seminars.