Propagate

Pruning isn’t just maintenance, it’s essential for optimizing chestnut tree health and yield. Dive into our latest blog, where we share practical tips for pruning chestnuts to encourage strong growth, reduce disease risk, and maximize nut production. Whether you’re managing a new planting or maintaining mature trees, these insights will help set you up for long-term success! 📖 Read the full article: https://hubs.ly/Q036DmmJ0

Propagate and Agroforestry Partners recently released our 2024 impact report. Here are our key insights: Agroforestry continues to scale in exciting ways, proving that it can deliver real economic and environmental impact. This year’s report highlights how Agroforestry Partners and Propagate are working together to bring agroforestry to more farms and communities. 🚀 Scaling Agroforestry with Record Growth 2024 marked the largest planting effort yet with 1,051 acres of chestnut-hay agroforestry, bringing our total to 1,832 acres and 156,492 trees planted. 🌿 Carbon Sequestration & Biodiversity Gains Biodiversity monitoring revealed a 40% increase in bird species and 103% increase in insect species richness in agroforestry systems compared to conventional plots. Carbon registration with Gold Standard is now underway, laying the groundwork for high-quality carbon credit issuance. 🏡 Community & Economic Impact The fund continues to invest in underserved rural areas like Appalachia, creating jobs, supporting local communities, and offering farmers new revenue streams through chestnut offtake agreements and seasonal work opportunities. We believe that this report showcases the powerful example of how agroforestry can scale successfully while delivering meaningful value. Read the full report to learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q035PC8v0 #Agroforestry #RegenerativeAgriculture #ClimateSolutions #ImpactReport

Agroforestry can feel complex and exclusive, but it doesn’t have to be! Scaling agroforestry means breaking down barriers and expanding beyond early innovators to reach the broader farming community. In our latest blog, we explore: 🧠 The mindset of an agroforester (open-minded, low risk-aversion). 📈 How to move beyond the early adopters and grow agroforestry at scale. Read more about what it takes to make agroforestry accessible for all: https://hubs.ly/Q035hX830 #Agroforestry #SustainableAgriculture #RegenerativeFarming #Innovation

🌱 Join Us at Pasa’s 2025 Sustainable Agriculture Conference! We’re thrilled to see CJ Buzzy and Faith representing Propagate at Pasa Sustainable Agriculture's 2025 Sustainable Agriculture Conference in Lancaster, PA (Feb 5–7)! CJ will co-present two sessions: 🌳 "Building Agroforestry Systems for Resiliency & Success" with Breadtree Farms 🤝 "Success in Agroforestry: Partnerships for Effective Working Buffers" with Stroud Water Research Center and Wild Fox Farm This vibrant event features 80+ educational sessions, a trade show, and opportunities to connect with leaders across the sustainable agriculture community. Be sure to attend these sessions and join the conversation about how agroforestry is shaping the future of farming! 📍 Learn more and register here: pasafarming.org/conference #Pasa2025 #SustainableAgriculture #Agroforestry #RegenerativeFarming

We’re Hiring: Program Manager At Propagate, we believe in rolling up our sleeves and getting the work done to make farming more resilient, profitable, and sustainable. We’re looking for a **Program Manager** to help us manage grants and private programs that bring real solutions to farmers while tackling some of agriculture’s biggest challenges. What You’ll Do: - Collaborate with internal teams and partners to oversee programs from beginning to end. - Create systems to efficiently and effectively manage grants and private programs. - Keep projects on schedule, manage budgets, and ensure smooth operations. Why Work With Us? - Meaningful Work: Join a team dedicated to helping farmers enhance their land and future. - Competitive Compensation: Receive a fair salary, equity, excellent healthcare, and enjoy a flexible work environment. - Practical Solutions: We prioritize effective, straightforward approaches for real-world impact. If you’re someone who thrives on solving problems, collaborating with great people, and making a real difference, we’d love to hear from you. Learn more and apply: https://hubs.ly/Q033LDB10 Let’s grow together!

🌳 "We’re creating something for future generations that improves over time." – Sam Nana-Sinkam, Third Place At Bloom Farm, Sam and his team saw agroforestry as a way to build resilience, diversify income, and leave their land better for the next generation. By integrating chestnut trees into their operation, they’re creating long-term value while improving soil health and biodiversity. Sam’s experience offers key takeaways for others considering agroforestry: 💡 Start with your goals: For Bloom Farm, it was critical to find a tree crop that aligned with their long-term vision for profitability and sustainability. 🔍 Plan with clarity: Having detailed financial models and tailored guidance allowed them to see how chestnut trees could complement their existing operation. 🤝 Partner for success: Sam emphasizes the value of ongoing support throughout the transition—from selecting the right trees to managing their growth. Read more about Sam’s journey and the lessons from Bloom Farm: https://hubs.ly/Q02_6Tn90

We’re excited to share a major milestone for agroforestry and sustainable agriculture: A coalition led by Propagate has secured a $24.6 million NRCS award under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. This multi-year effort will help expand agroforestry and reforestation across 3,500 acres of farmland in five key states along the Mississippi River Basin. Why does this matter? The Mississippi River Basin is a vital water source and agricultural hub, but nutrient runoff and sedimentation have caused significant water quality and biodiversity challenges. This project addresses these issues through climate-smart agroforestry practices—like alley cropping, silvopasture, and riparian buffers—that enhance conservation and economic productivity without compromise. Key outcomes include: 🌱 Improved water quality and retention. 🌳 Increased biodiversity and carbon sequestration. 💡 Economic opportunities for participating farmers through rental payments, carbon credits, and sustainable tree crops. This collaboration brings together industry-leading organizations, including Virginia Tech, Rodale Institute, Living Carbon, Agroforestry Partners, Williams Forestry & Associates, and Native Forest Nursery. Each partner plays a critical role in ensuring agroforestry is accessible and achievable for farmers. As we work together to scale agroforestry, this project will serve as a blueprint for balancing productivity with environmental stewardship. Read the full press release to learn more about this transformative effort. https://hubs.ly/Q02-hYc-0

SAVE THE DATE The Expanding Agroforestry Project, a partnership effort funded by the USDA’s Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative, is launching its second producer application cycle, inviting eligible producers to apply to the Expanding Agroforestry Incentive Payment Program beginning December 16th, 2024. The Expanding Agroforestry Project aims to help producers increase economic resiliency, sequester more carbon, improve water quality, and enhance biodiversity through agroforestry. Eligible producers can apply to receive direct incentive payments to expand agroforestry plantings on their agricultural lands. Over five years, $36M will be paid out to producers to transform 30,000 acres spanning 30 states into agroforestry systems. The Expanding Agroforestry Project (EAP) invites you to a Town Hall Meeting on December 9th, 2024. Topics to be covered include an overview of the EAP Incentive Payment Program, latest updates, and answers to frequently asked questions. Registration link as well as link for participants to submit questions in advance in comments. A recording of the meeting will be posted to https://lnkd.in/dK2dRy-k for those who cannot attend the scheduled event. Date: Monday, Dec 9, 2024 Time: 4 - 5pm EST | 3 - 4pm CST | 1 - 2pm PST | 11am - 12pm HST Registration: https://lnkd.in/gMxdHQAV

Ethan S. diving into tree health metrics, focusing on a remarkable 98% survivability rate. Our team's proactive soil management efforts are crucial in addressing pest issues and enhancing organic matter. #TreeHealth #SurvivabilityRate #SoilManagement #PestControl #SustainableForestry #OrganicMatter #EnvironmentalScience #TreePlanting #EcosystemHealth #NatureConservation

Interested in scaling agroforestry in the Ohio Valley? Join us at our Maysville Community Stakeholder Meeting TONIGHT (Lil Jumbo’s Cafe in Maysville; 6-8pm). We’ll discuss Propagate’s approach to scaling chestnut and black locust agroforestry to date, opportunities for project expansion, strategies to improve farmer livelihoods through tree crops, and pathways for ongoing collaboration.