Savanna Institute Agroforestry Technical Assistance Program Application

Is this program a good fit for you?

We have a limited scope of work for providing agroforestry technical assistance. Currently, we can help plan the following:


  • Alley Cropping- Growing crops, vegetables, or hay between rows of trees

  • Silvopasture by addition- Planting trees into pastures with livestock

  • Windbreaks & Hedgerows- Rows of trees to protect crops or livestock or provide habitat

  • Riparian Forest Buffers- Trees and shrubs planted along waterways


We generally cannot provide direct technical help if your project only involves the following:

  • Planting an orchard (with an exception in WI and MN for planting multi-layered food forests on non-forest lands)

  • Silvopasture by removal- cutting trees out of existing woodlands to plant forage or add livestock (with a few exceptions in MN)

  • Forest farming- growing mushrooms, medicinal herbs, or other non-timber forest products in an existing forest

What does the process look like?

One-on-one support

  • Our Technical Assistance Providers (TAPs) will work closely with you to build a custom agroforestry plan that will be your roadmap for successfully installing trees on the land you steward. 

Connect with like-minded folks

  • You will be part of a cohort who share your passion for improving their land, with opportunities to connect via field days, farm tours, and workshops. 

Learn about agroforestry

  • We will share videos, written materials, and updates about relevant learning opportunities.

Write a farm narrative

  • We’ll walk you through the process of defining your goals and ideas for your operation so that you can be sure that agroforestry is a good fit––past, present and future. 

Visit your farm

  • Together we will walk your property and gather information that will help you choose trees that will thrive in your landscape and integrate seamlessly into your existing activities. 

Crunch the numbers

  • We will connect you with tools to help you figure out the finances and guide you to sources of funding, including USDA financial assistance.

Develop a design

  • We will work together to map out where woody perennials are planted and decide how they fit in with existing farm activities.

Implement your vision

  • You will end up with a working plan and a path forward for planting trees on your farm, and resources to help you start the implementation process.

How long does it take?

Because of the nature of funding programs and the need for good site preparation, our agroforestry planning process usually takes 1.5-2 years from the time we start working with you until trees are ready to go in the ground. Depending on the state you are in and the current demand, there may also a waiting list for entering the next cohort. If you are hoping to plant trees sooner than this, we recommend reaching out to Canopy Farm Management or other local tree planting service for help.


Due to generous funding through the USDA and other partners, this process is free of charge to you!


Are you ready to add trees to your farm? Apply now by filling out the following information and one of our Technical Assistance Providers will be in touch.

Do you currently have access to land?

What state is your farm or property in?

Does your farm have tile or other underground drainage?

What agroforestry practices are you interested in?

What is your ideal timeline to plant trees?

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