Why are we focusing on these agroforestry crops?
In a recent webinar, plant scientist Eliza Greenman briefly explained how the Savanna Institute has chosen which key crops to focus its plant breeding and improvement work on:
American Persimmon
- Most nutrient-dense native fruit in the US
- Canopy density allows for adequate light transmission for pasture growth
- High value wood
- Existing markets in the Midwst for “persimmon pudding”
Hybrid Hazelnuts
- Existing speciality markets
- Biodiesel alternative to soy
- Hazelnut meal is an excellent commodity livestock feed
- Hedgerow plantings are machine harvestable
American elderberry
- Existing US market demand
- All selections are from the wild
- Bushes can be annually coppiced
- Can be cold-pressed
Black currant
- Cold hardy
- Shade tolerant
- Existing US market demand
- Machine harvestable
- Excels in poor soils
Chinese chestnut
- Resistant to chestnut blight and ink disease
- High carbohydrate food source
- Existing demand exceeidng supply
- Seedlings out-perform grafted trees
- Late blooming, escaping frost
Visit Canopy Farm Management to learn more about what black currant varieties and other agroforestry crops and services are available in your area.
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🔊 “You Can’t Believe It Grows Here” – Project Pawpaw with Adam D’Angelo
🔊 A Thorny Topic: Black Locust and Honey Locust for Agroforestry
🔊 “Spreadsheets on the Radio” – Farm Viability and the Fruit & Nut Compass with John Hendrickson
🔊 Getting Started with Forest Farming – Ingrid Daudert, Karam Sheban, and Robin Suggs
🔊 Agroforestry for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation – with Nate Lawrence and Monika Shea