Indiana

Integrating trees on farms in Indiana’s corn belt

The corn belt has taken over much of the landscape where ancient hardwood oak and hickory forests once covered the state. The pawpaw, affectionately known as the ‘Indiana banana,’ is a native understory tree, and the American persimmon tree thrives in the southern region of the state. To support beginning farmers, the Savanna Institute partners with mentor farms to offer apprenticeship opportunities in Indiana. In 2023, our Technical Service Program, which provides one-on-one farm planning support to farmers and landowners, started offering technical assistance in the state.