Wondrous Willow: One Farmer’s Journey Into an Unexpected Ally

A personal, on-farm story of how a simple conservation planting became a keystone species at Wellspring Forest Farm. Beginning with erosion control and water management, the piece follows willow’s surprising gifts over a decade—fodder and medicine for livestock, rapid biomass and soil-building, streambank stabilization, habitat and pollinator support, craft traditions, and emerging potential for human medicine. Part practical guide and part reflection on reciprocity, it shows how willow can stack ecological function with real production value in agroforestry systems.