Savanna Institute
@savannainstitute.bsky.social
Laying the groundwork for widespread agroforestry in the US Midwest. savannainstitute.org
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Inspired by the native oak savannas, we support the growth of more diverse, perennial farming in the Upper Mississippi and Great Lakes watersheds. We work to create opportunities for farmers to diversify their incomes and landscapes, raise healthy food, and build resilience through #agroforestry.
The Agroforestry Coalition is building a national, open-source directory of #agroforestry nurseries.
Please take a few minutes to complete the entry form by Dec. 31, 2025. The directory will launch in January 2026:
agroforestrycoalition.org/nurseries-di...
Please take a few minutes to complete the entry form by Dec. 31, 2025. The directory will launch in January 2026:
agroforestrycoalition.org/nurseries-di...
November 21, 2025 at 5:47 PM
The Agroforestry Coalition is building a national, open-source directory of #agroforestry nurseries.
Please take a few minutes to complete the entry form by Dec. 31, 2025. The directory will launch in January 2026:
agroforestrycoalition.org/nurseries-di...
Please take a few minutes to complete the entry form by Dec. 31, 2025. The directory will launch in January 2026:
agroforestrycoalition.org/nurseries-di...
Anytime "Midwest farmers are going nuts," you can be sure the Savanna Institute is involved. We and a number of our partners are featured in this article by @elizabethhewitt.bsky.social for @reasonstobecheerful.world about Midwest #agroforestry!
A shift toward growing chestnuts, pecans and walnuts is reviving soil in the American Midwest that was once exhausted by dreary corn and soy.
reasonstobecheerful.world/midwest-farm...
reasonstobecheerful.world/midwest-farm...
November 18, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Anytime "Midwest farmers are going nuts," you can be sure the Savanna Institute is involved. We and a number of our partners are featured in this article by @elizabethhewitt.bsky.social for @reasonstobecheerful.world about Midwest #agroforestry!
Iowa farmer Wendy Johnson will be a keynote presenter at #PFG2026, which will be held at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa from March 11th-13th, 2026. “Agroforestry and perennializing are great for our next generation,” she says.
Learn more at www.savannainstitute.org/iowa-farmer-...
Learn more at www.savannainstitute.org/iowa-farmer-...
Iowa Farmer Wendy Johnson Announced as Keynote Speaker for 2026 Perennial Farm Gathering - Savanna Institute
Iowa farmer Wendy Johnson will serve as keynote speaker at the 2026 Perennial Farm Gathering. The Savanna Institute will host this event at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa from March 11th-13th...
www.savannainstitute.org
November 12, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Iowa farmer Wendy Johnson will be a keynote presenter at #PFG2026, which will be held at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa from March 11th-13th, 2026. “Agroforestry and perennializing are great for our next generation,” she says.
Learn more at www.savannainstitute.org/iowa-farmer-...
Learn more at www.savannainstitute.org/iowa-farmer-...
Our next Perennial Farm Gathering #PFG2026 will be held March 11th-13th at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa!
Tickets and sponsorships for this event are now available at www.savannainstitute.org/pfg2026
Tickets and sponsorships for this event are now available at www.savannainstitute.org/pfg2026
Perennial Farm Gathering 2026 - Savanna Institute
Wednesday, March 11 - Friday, March 13, 2026Grand River Center • Dubuque, Iowa
www.savannainstitute.org
November 4, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Our next Perennial Farm Gathering #PFG2026 will be held March 11th-13th at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa!
Tickets and sponsorships for this event are now available at www.savannainstitute.org/pfg2026
Tickets and sponsorships for this event are now available at www.savannainstitute.org/pfg2026
Savanna Institute staff members Lily Hislop and Jenn Ripp are attending the 6th World Congress on Agroforestry #WCA2025 this week in Kigali, Rwanda! Lily and Jenn presented posters about their work and took part in sessions, field tours, and networking opportunities at the event, which ends today.
1/ Taking the learnings from the conference halls to the field.
On Day 3 of #WCA2025, participants went on field trips to explore local projects in Rwanda, including the Green Gicumbi Project in the country’s northern region.
#Trees4Resilience
On Day 3 of #WCA2025, participants went on field trips to explore local projects in Rwanda, including the Green Gicumbi Project in the country’s northern region.
#Trees4Resilience
October 24, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Savanna Institute staff members Lily Hislop and Jenn Ripp are attending the 6th World Congress on Agroforestry #WCA2025 this week in Kigali, Rwanda! Lily and Jenn presented posters about their work and took part in sessions, field tours, and networking opportunities at the event, which ends today.
“I think we're still trying to fully understand — or better understand — what role drones play, especially in sustainable agriculture." -José Franco, Savanna Institute
Learn how we're using drones to estimate yields and biomass in this story by @kbianews.bsky.social
www.kbia.org/kbia-news/20...
Learn how we're using drones to estimate yields and biomass in this story by @kbianews.bsky.social
www.kbia.org/kbia-news/20...
Farming from the air: Drones offer flexibility and problem solving
Aerial crop planting and treatment takes off across the Midwest.
www.kbia.org
October 23, 2025 at 4:39 PM
“I think we're still trying to fully understand — or better understand — what role drones play, especially in sustainable agriculture." -José Franco, Savanna Institute
Learn how we're using drones to estimate yields and biomass in this story by @kbianews.bsky.social
www.kbia.org/kbia-news/20...
Learn how we're using drones to estimate yields and biomass in this story by @kbianews.bsky.social
www.kbia.org/kbia-news/20...
Reposted by Savanna Institute
At the @uwmadison.bsky.social Kegonsa Research Campus, scientists from across UW and the @savannainstitute.bsky.social are growing currant berries between solar panels. This practice is known as #agrivoltaics and has many potential benefits.
Learn more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMGH...
Learn more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMGH...
October 7, 2025 at 8:20 PM
At the @uwmadison.bsky.social Kegonsa Research Campus, scientists from across UW and the @savannainstitute.bsky.social are growing currant berries between solar panels. This practice is known as #agrivoltaics and has many potential benefits.
Learn more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMGH...
Learn more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMGH...
The first ever nation-wide map of agroforestry demonstration sites just got even better. Find an #agroforestry demonstration site near you at www.catalyzingagroforestry.org/arkxdemonstr...
Read more at agroforestrycoalition.org/map-demo-sit...
Read more at agroforestrycoalition.org/map-demo-sit...
Nation-wide Map of Agroforestry Demonstration Sites
Our first ever nation-wide map of agroforestry demonstration sites just got even better. The Agroforestry Coalition Demonstration Site working group and Virginia Tech’s Catalyzing Agroforestry Grant P...
agroforestrycoalition.org
September 30, 2025 at 4:57 PM
The first ever nation-wide map of agroforestry demonstration sites just got even better. Find an #agroforestry demonstration site near you at www.catalyzingagroforestry.org/arkxdemonstr...
Read more at agroforestrycoalition.org/map-demo-sit...
Read more at agroforestrycoalition.org/map-demo-sit...
Our new resource, "Financing Trees & Perennial Crops for Your Farm: An Agroforestry Primer," helps producers explore financing options for #agroforestry and perennial agriculture. Get your free PDF here:
savannainstitute.org/Download-Fin...
savannainstitute.org/Download-Fin...
Financing Trees & Perennial Crops for Your Farm: An Agroforestry Primer - Savanna Institute
Are you looking for farmland? An agricultural lease may be an option for you. If you are thinking about planting tree crops, you will need long-term access to land to reap the full benefits of your in...
savannainstitute.org
September 25, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Our new resource, "Financing Trees & Perennial Crops for Your Farm: An Agroforestry Primer," helps producers explore financing options for #agroforestry and perennial agriculture. Get your free PDF here:
savannainstitute.org/Download-Fin...
savannainstitute.org/Download-Fin...
We were excited to see this story from National Geographic about Wendy Johnson, one of the keynote speakers at our upcoming Perennial Farm Gathering! #PFG2026
www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/...
Story by @cassidyrandall.bsky.social
Photos by @renaeffendi.bsky.social
www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/...
Story by @cassidyrandall.bsky.social
Photos by @renaeffendi.bsky.social
Regenerating the soil of America’s heartland
National Geographic photographer Rena Effendi visits the U.S. Midwest to capture how one farmer is restoring her family farm from the ground up—and with support from PepsiCo, helping cultivate the fut...
www.nationalgeographic.com
September 10, 2025 at 4:23 PM
We were excited to see this story from National Geographic about Wendy Johnson, one of the keynote speakers at our upcoming Perennial Farm Gathering! #PFG2026
www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/...
Story by @cassidyrandall.bsky.social
Photos by @renaeffendi.bsky.social
www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/...
Story by @cassidyrandall.bsky.social
Photos by @renaeffendi.bsky.social
Reposted by Savanna Institute
Canopy Nursery Spring 2026 Nursery Orders Are Open!
This year we have a wide selection! Asian Pears, Peaches, Heartnuts, Elderberries, Honeyberries, Gooseberries, Serviceberries, Jostaberries, Bush Cherries, Grafted and Seedling Persimmons, and Willow Cuttings. Use Code EARLYBIRD for free shipping.
This year we have a wide selection! Asian Pears, Peaches, Heartnuts, Elderberries, Honeyberries, Gooseberries, Serviceberries, Jostaberries, Bush Cherries, Grafted and Seedling Persimmons, and Willow Cuttings. Use Code EARLYBIRD for free shipping.
September 1, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Canopy Nursery Spring 2026 Nursery Orders Are Open!
This year we have a wide selection! Asian Pears, Peaches, Heartnuts, Elderberries, Honeyberries, Gooseberries, Serviceberries, Jostaberries, Bush Cherries, Grafted and Seedling Persimmons, and Willow Cuttings. Use Code EARLYBIRD for free shipping.
This year we have a wide selection! Asian Pears, Peaches, Heartnuts, Elderberries, Honeyberries, Gooseberries, Serviceberries, Jostaberries, Bush Cherries, Grafted and Seedling Persimmons, and Willow Cuttings. Use Code EARLYBIRD for free shipping.
What can we learn from livestock producers about marketing #agroforestry products?
Free webinar hosted by the #AgroforestryCoalition
Thursday, September 4th
9am PT / 10am MT / 11am CT / 12pm ET
Register at agroforestrycoalition.org/event/grassf...
Free webinar hosted by the #AgroforestryCoalition
Thursday, September 4th
9am PT / 10am MT / 11am CT / 12pm ET
Register at agroforestrycoalition.org/event/grassf...
August 28, 2025 at 3:31 PM
What can we learn from livestock producers about marketing #agroforestry products?
Free webinar hosted by the #AgroforestryCoalition
Thursday, September 4th
9am PT / 10am MT / 11am CT / 12pm ET
Register at agroforestrycoalition.org/event/grassf...
Free webinar hosted by the #AgroforestryCoalition
Thursday, September 4th
9am PT / 10am MT / 11am CT / 12pm ET
Register at agroforestrycoalition.org/event/grassf...
“There are a million different ways of doing agroforestry,” Oviatt said. “You have to take the different components and see what works on your farm.”
Staff member MJ Oviatt talks about #agroforestry in last week's story from Illinois Farmer Today!
agupdate.com/illinoisfarm...
Staff member MJ Oviatt talks about #agroforestry in last week's story from Illinois Farmer Today!
agupdate.com/illinoisfarm...
Specialist sees agroforestry gaining ground
For some grain farmers, diversification can mean growing soybeans and raising cattle. For others, it involves planting crops and trees side by side.
agupdate.com
August 12, 2025 at 5:25 PM
“There are a million different ways of doing agroforestry,” Oviatt said. “You have to take the different components and see what works on your farm.”
Staff member MJ Oviatt talks about #agroforestry in last week's story from Illinois Farmer Today!
agupdate.com/illinoisfarm...
Staff member MJ Oviatt talks about #agroforestry in last week's story from Illinois Farmer Today!
agupdate.com/illinoisfarm...
Good time to follow our friends at @canopyfm.bsky.social on their new Bluesky account!
Pawpaws are the largest native North American fruit. Pawpaws tolerate more shade than many other tree crops, so they can be planted as an understory crop. Our Pawpaw seedlings come from from Red Fern Farm's improved varieties that will fruit in 5b.
Potted stock for sale through our nursery website.
Potted stock for sale through our nursery website.
August 6, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Good time to follow our friends at @canopyfm.bsky.social on their new Bluesky account!
Wisconsin Hazelnut Week, Aug. 19-22
Free | Registration required:
www.midwesthazelnuts.org/coming-event...
"Now is the time for growers to learn what it takes to grow hazelnuts, what the markets look like, and how to get started,” says Jason Fischbach, UW-Extension Emerging Crops Specialist.
Free | Registration required:
www.midwesthazelnuts.org/coming-event...
"Now is the time for growers to learn what it takes to grow hazelnuts, what the markets look like, and how to get started,” says Jason Fischbach, UW-Extension Emerging Crops Specialist.
July 30, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Wisconsin Hazelnut Week, Aug. 19-22
Free | Registration required:
www.midwesthazelnuts.org/coming-event...
"Now is the time for growers to learn what it takes to grow hazelnuts, what the markets look like, and how to get started,” says Jason Fischbach, UW-Extension Emerging Crops Specialist.
Free | Registration required:
www.midwesthazelnuts.org/coming-event...
"Now is the time for growers to learn what it takes to grow hazelnuts, what the markets look like, and how to get started,” says Jason Fischbach, UW-Extension Emerging Crops Specialist.
We hope you'll join us at an event this summer!
We have some exciting events in the coming months across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. These are great opportunities to get to know our organization and to see #agroforestry in action. Find an event near you at: www.savannainstitute.org/events/
We have some exciting events in the coming months across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. These are great opportunities to get to know our organization and to see #agroforestry in action. Find an event near you at: www.savannainstitute.org/events/
July 2, 2025 at 8:07 PM
We hope you'll join us at an event this summer!
We have some exciting events in the coming months across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. These are great opportunities to get to know our organization and to see #agroforestry in action. Find an event near you at: www.savannainstitute.org/events/
We have some exciting events in the coming months across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. These are great opportunities to get to know our organization and to see #agroforestry in action. Find an event near you at: www.savannainstitute.org/events/
In #agroforestry we talk a lot about the role of trees on farms, but are we neglecting the potential of farming in forests?
“You have to think differently about tropical & temperate forests,” lead author & #agroforestry doc candidate at Yale & NY Botanical Garden (@nybg.bsky.social) told @mongabay.com writer @mstarling.bsky.social
Their new article in Nature #ClimateChange makes the case for forest-based agroforestry:
Their new article in Nature #ClimateChange makes the case for forest-based agroforestry:
Bring the forest to the farm or the farm to the forest? Agroforestry faces a dichotomy
Not all agroforestry projects are funded equally, suggests a new comment paper published in Nature Climate Change. Integrating crops into existing forests is an often overlooked agroforestry method to...
news.mongabay.com
June 25, 2025 at 5:22 PM
In #agroforestry we talk a lot about the role of trees on farms, but are we neglecting the potential of farming in forests?
We are pleased to be a sponsor of this year's North American Agroforestry Conference, hosted by the University of Missouri's Center for Agroforestry and the Association for Temperate Agroforestry (AFTA). You can learn more and register at centerforagroforestry.org/2025naac/
May 29, 2025 at 5:23 PM
We are pleased to be a sponsor of this year's North American Agroforestry Conference, hosted by the University of Missouri's Center for Agroforestry and the Association for Temperate Agroforestry (AFTA). You can learn more and register at centerforagroforestry.org/2025naac/
Reposted by Savanna Institute
Terrific discussion on @savannainstitute.bsky.social podcast of a huge #reforestation project across Mexico that's had successes & failures, been accused of corruption, but ultimately is helping many people transition to #agroforestry
Featuring @scientistsophia.bsky.social & others w/ new research:
Featuring @scientistsophia.bsky.social & others w/ new research:
Sembrando Vida, A Flagship Agroforestry Program in Mexico - Savanna Institute
In 2018, the Mexican government launched a national program called Sembrando Vida, or “sowing life”, with the goal of reducing poverty and reforesting rural areas with agroforestry. Since the program’...
www.savannainstitute.org
May 15, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Terrific discussion on @savannainstitute.bsky.social podcast of a huge #reforestation project across Mexico that's had successes & failures, been accused of corruption, but ultimately is helping many people transition to #agroforestry
Featuring @scientistsophia.bsky.social & others w/ new research:
Featuring @scientistsophia.bsky.social & others w/ new research:
“If there’s one big takeaway from the various farming experiences I’ve had and continue to seek out, it’s that nobody does it alone,” says @serenalarkin.bsky.social, a participant in our On-Farm Training Program.
Read more in our latest Perennial Report: www.savannainstitute.org/perennial-re...
Read more in our latest Perennial Report: www.savannainstitute.org/perennial-re...
May 9, 2025 at 12:42 PM
“If there’s one big takeaway from the various farming experiences I’ve had and continue to seek out, it’s that nobody does it alone,” says @serenalarkin.bsky.social, a participant in our On-Farm Training Program.
Read more in our latest Perennial Report: www.savannainstitute.org/perennial-re...
Read more in our latest Perennial Report: www.savannainstitute.org/perennial-re...
Termination of the Expanding #Agroforestry Project is covered in a story this week by @civileats.com, featuring Executive Director Keefe Keeley and collaborators at Trees for Graziers and Appalachian Sustainable Development:
The Climate-Smart Commodities program’s largest agroforestry grant—the $60 million Expanding Agroforestry Project—has been terminated. The future of other individual projects remains uncertain. buff.ly/3aZ9Y5c
Agroforestry Projects Across US Now Stymied by Federal Cuts
Farming with trees can buffer the impacts of climate change, but that work faces new obstacles as the USDA slashes funding.
buff.ly
April 29, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Termination of the Expanding #Agroforestry Project is covered in a story this week by @civileats.com, featuring Executive Director Keefe Keeley and collaborators at Trees for Graziers and Appalachian Sustainable Development:
Read more about Derek’s story and our impact on growing agroforestry here: www.savannainstitute.org/perennial-re...
April 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Read more about Derek’s story and our impact on growing agroforestry here: www.savannainstitute.org/perennial-re...
This Earth Day, we're excited to share our latest Perennial Report with you! In it, we highlight some of our work together in 2024, including features about our On-Farm Training Program and a look back at the 2024 Perennial Farm Gathering: www.savannainstitute.org/perennial-re...
Perennial Report 2024 - Savanna Institute
Each year, we publish an annual report — known at the Savanna Institute as the Perennial Report. In our latest report, we highlight how the Savanna Institute
www.savannainstitute.org
April 22, 2025 at 4:28 PM
This Earth Day, we're excited to share our latest Perennial Report with you! In it, we highlight some of our work together in 2024, including features about our On-Farm Training Program and a look back at the 2024 Perennial Farm Gathering: www.savannainstitute.org/perennial-re...
“I don’t think this plant is a lost cause,” said Lily Hislop @currantlylily.bsky.social, who runs the only institutionally backed #blackcurrant breeding program in the West at the Savanna Institute.
#Blackcurrants showing up in Ambrook Research!
ambrook.com/research/cro...
@jessehirsch.bsky.social
#Blackcurrants showing up in Ambrook Research!
ambrook.com/research/cro...
@jessehirsch.bsky.social
A Taste of the Forbidden Fruit - Ambrook Research
Banned by the federal government a century ago, black currants were cast to the fringes of U.S. agriculture. Agroforestry advocates and berry connoisseurs are urging a revival.
ambrook.com
April 15, 2025 at 6:44 PM
“I don’t think this plant is a lost cause,” said Lily Hislop @currantlylily.bsky.social, who runs the only institutionally backed #blackcurrant breeding program in the West at the Savanna Institute.
#Blackcurrants showing up in Ambrook Research!
ambrook.com/research/cro...
@jessehirsch.bsky.social
#Blackcurrants showing up in Ambrook Research!
ambrook.com/research/cro...
@jessehirsch.bsky.social
Nearly every day, decisions are being made that have profound consequences for how we grow, process, transport, and consume food in this country.
Keep up with the latest changes with the Civil Eats Food Policy Tracker.
Keep up with the latest changes with the Civil Eats Food Policy Tracker.
Introducing Civil Eats’ Food Policy Tracker, your go-to source for daily federal food and farm updates.
➡️ civileats.com/food-policy-...
➡️ civileats.com/food-policy-...
April 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Nearly every day, decisions are being made that have profound consequences for how we grow, process, transport, and consume food in this country.
Keep up with the latest changes with the Civil Eats Food Policy Tracker.
Keep up with the latest changes with the Civil Eats Food Policy Tracker.