SI Events
2021 Virtual North American Agroforestry Conference
Online OnlineThe work to establish and scale up agroforestry for carbon draw-down has only just begun, but the potential is enormous. One acre of alley cropping can sequester nearly a ton of carbon in woody biomass alone. Silvopasture is #4 on Project Draw-down’s list of natural climate solutions. And even just a modest adoption of agroforestry is head and shoulders above other agricultural land-use changes in its potential for carbon sequestration.
The 2021 North American Agroforestry Conference will bring together farmers, landowners, researchers, climate scientists, investors, philanthropists, policymakers, and global leaders on climate change, carbon draw-down, and agroforestry. Together we will tackle the major barriers to scaling agroforestry, focusing on solutions and action.
Elderberry & Elder Flower Field Day
Early July is the perfect time to get outside and smell the elderflowers! Tour Regeneration Acres to learn about elderberry varieties, best management practices and potential market possibilities for this blossoming crop. We'll end the tour with farm owner, Natasha teaching us how to make an elderflower simple syrup. 5-7 pm CDT.
Saturn Farm Field Day
Saturn Farm 2797 County Road 1700N, Ogden, IL, United StatesAfter a checkered history in North America, black currants are making a strong comeback as a robust crop and nutrition-packed fruit. Visit Saturn Farm, the largest black currant farm in Illinois to learn about the history of black currants, their on-farm management, processing and marketing, ongoing variety trials and breeding, and innovative alley cropping practices. Refreshments and bathroom available onsite. This field day is accessible to those with limited mobility.
Black Currant Field Day
Elsewhere Farm 16550 Nicoletti, Herbster, WisconsinThe time is right to expand black currants (Ribes nigrum) as a crop in Wisconsin. Farmers in Wisconsin that grow black currants consider them to be viable from an agronomic standpoint, citing the following attributes: extremely cold hardy, able to grow on a wide variety of soil types and a wide range of pH, less attractive to wildlife, can produce up to 6,000 pounds per acre, can be machine harvested, and they hold on the bush to allow for flexible harvest dates.
Two farms, one field day! Click here to learn more.
Farm and River Tour
Spring Green Hillside Demo Farm 6511 Hillside Rd, Spring Green, WI, United StatesTour Savanna Institute's new home farm with our farm manager and a technical service provider. We'll discuss watersheds and water quality, and you'll have the opportunity to learn how to incorporate agroforestry practices on your land. We'll lunch together on the farm then head to Spring Green to join the River Alliance of Wisconsin for a paddle down the lower Wisconsin river to continue learning about water quality.
Hazelnut field day
Madison West Madison Agricultural Research Station: 8502 Mineral Point Road, Verona, WI, United StatesJason Fischbach, UW Extension, along with the Savanna Institute, The Central Wisconsin Hazelnut Network and UW-CIAS will be hosting a Hazelnut Field Day on Thursday August 12th.
Silverwood county park field day
Silverwood County Park 771 Silver Lane, Edgerton, WIVisit Silverwood County Park to meet with small vegetable and flower growers; Learn about Indigenous corn and cover cropping, using small equipment; what it takes to start a heirloom orchard and Savanna Institute’s tree installation and alley cropping partnership.
Moses field day at Mary Dirty Face farm
Mary Dirty Face N3060 630th St, Menomonie, WIA silvopasture-pollinator field day at Mary Dirty Face Farm, co-hosted by Moses and the Xerces Society. A silviculture expert from the Savanna Institute will evaluate recently planted tree strips and talk about species selection, installation, and weed management. Farm host Rachel Henderson and Xerces pollinator specialist Sarah Foltz Jordan will discuss habitat value both in terms of forage/shade for livestock and food/nesting for pollinators, especially specialist bees, butterflies, and moths that require certain tree and shrub species to survive.
Alley Cropping Field Day at Memorial 4H camp demonstration farm: Allerton Park (Monticello, IL)
499 Old Timber Rd, Monticello, IL 61856 499 Old Timber Rd, Monticello, ILJoin the Savanna Institute and Central Illinois partners for a field day exploring alley cropping design, establishment, maintenance, and expansion at the Memorial 4H Camp Demonstration Farm. This 35 acre site features a unique partnership that illustrates annual row crop productions between paddocks of native and timber trees, as well as an innovative groundcover experiment utilizing native grasses and forbs. Come prepared to walk the site and learn the many possibilities for agroforestry and alley cropping for soil health, water quality, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, and profit diversification!
Lily Springs Field Day
Lily Springs Farm 1930 60th Ave, Osceola, WISavanna Institute visits Lily Springs Farm to learn more about the varieties of elderberries they are trialing, and how they manage pest and diseases for this up and coming crop. Farm tour begins at 10 am and concludes at 1 pm on Saturday, August 28th. For more information on Lily Springs, visit their website at : http://www.lilyspringsfarm.com.
Learning Circle event with The Land Conservancy
IL IllinoisLearning Circle event with The Land Conservancy of McHenry County and Savanna Institute to gather, catch up and learn about agroforestry and aronias. If you are a woman land owner and are interested in learning more about agroforestry and other ideas for how to utilize your land, then this gathering is for you.
Silvopasture and Riparian Buffer Field Day at Fields Restored farm
41.979485, -89.416882 Fields Restored Farm, Oregon, IL, United StatesTour Fields Restored's silvopasture experiment, edible riparian buffer, and fruit, nut and hay alley cropping systems.