TREES FOR A MEAT CSA (SILVOPASTURE SERIES -- EP 2 )

Rising Locust has three distinct silvopasture zones— one that focuses on shade and fodder for livestock; one that grows human crops; and one that is primarily restored riparian forest.
Standard and pollarded trees are planted on contour at 40’ and 50’ spacing. Sheep, hogs, and cows are moved daily through the different silvopasture zones.

ABOUT THE SERIES
With support from the USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC), a collaboration of Regenerative Design Group, Wellspring Forest Farm, and Inhabit Films announce the release of a free video series documenting Silvopasture systems in the Northeastern USA.

Silvopasture (grazing livestock with trees) systems are complex, dynamic and site specific. The practice is both rooted in indigenous land stewardship and its benefits are well documented by scientific literature. Adoption by farmers and land stewards of silvopasture is relatively low, but growing in interest.

This project began with an inventory of self-identified silvopasture practitioners in the Northeast US region which resulted in 145 responses across 9 states (ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, NY, RI, NJ, PA) of people who reported stewarding 26,782 acres, with 5,267 of those acres in Silvopasture. From these respondents a range of examples were selected for videos and case studies to offer a snapshot of the practice along with ideas and inspiration for others to follow.

[cklownie]

Love all this! What kind of willow was being shown?

[RobbieCoville]

Great video and series, thank you all who are making it happen!

[mlindsay]

Nice. I came to a similar conclusion with my silvopasture. I’ve been feeding fodder for a few years, and it works well, just a bit labor intensive. I make biochar from the remaining branches.

[MistressOP]

I wish they talked about dung beetle population a bit more.

[jamesalanstephensmith]

You said ‘Lensa’ willow? Hybrid? Exotic?

[lambfactory]

Seems like hogs are kind of anti silvopasture.