Progress report for GNE24-307
Project Information
The Northeast region is experiencing pronounced impacts of climate change, necessitating robust adaptation strategies to ensure the resilience of our regional food system. Transitioning towards agroforestry-based systems in land and farm management is a well-suited adaptation and mitigation strategy for the Northeast, providing a wide range of environmental benefits including enhanced soil, water, and nutrient cycling, improved erosion control, and increased biodiversity support. Despite these benefits, significant barriers to adoption exist including limited awareness and knowledge, economic uncertainty, and regulatory challenges. These barriers and challenges are further compounded by historic and contemporary injustices that shape food and agriculture systems, leaving the role of agroforestry in contributing to social transformation an area where more applied research is required. Ensuring that transitions to agroforestry in the Northeast benefit Socially Disadvantaged Farmer and Rancher (SDFR) groups —whose knowledge systems underpin most agroforestry practices—requires exploration of collaborative, participatory models that consider production, conservation, and biocultural related goals. To address this, our research seeks to: 1) understand the factors that encourage more equitable transition processes to agroforestry in the Northeast, and 2) support SDFRs in filling knowledge gaps and reestablishing traditional agroforestry management practices through a demonstration site and workshop series. Findings will used to highlight the connections between traditional management systems and contemporary agroforestry practices, enhance visibility and inclusion of SDFRs in agroforestry initiatives, and develop clear guidelines and recommendations to scale agroforestry across the region in a manner that centers equity and social sustainability.
The objectives of this research are as follows:
- To gather relevant background information on SDFRs in the Northeast around perceptions, priorities, and motivations for engagement with or interest in agroforestry to increase their visibility and inclusion
- Analyze economic, production-related, and informational barriers SDFRs experience in integrating agroforestry into their suite of agricultural practices to better understand their knowledge and resource needs
- Deepen understanding of service providers' perspectives who support, or wish to deepen support, for SDFRs interested in agroforestry to identify leverage points, areas of intervention, and clear recommendations for deepening social sustainability in agroforestry transitions
- Collaborate with Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust and to plan, design, and install an agroforestry demonstration site and conduct 3 workshops in Westport, MA
The purpose of this project is twofold. First, to understand the factors that make transitions to agroforestry in the Northeast more equitable, inclusive, and collaborative to improve agroforestry adoption and drive future research and extension outreach. Second, to plan, design, and implement an agroforestry teaching site in collaboration with the Pocasset Pokanoket tribe on their traditional lands in Southern New England.
Agroforestry, as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is the intentional integration of trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming systems to create environmental, economic, and social benefits (USDA, 2019). Restoring and maintaining agro-ecosystem health through practices that reproduce the dynamics of nature, rather than work against it, remains a pressing issue in the United States (Quandt et al., 2023). Input-intensive, mono-cropped based systems drive climate change and simultaneously are less resilient to the increasing extremes and uncertainties of climate change (Dinar & Mendelsohn, 2011; Shahzad et al., 2021). Trees and shrubs can be included into agricultural systems in many ways, depending on the situation and application (Wilson & Lovell, 2016). These practices can provide protection for valuable topsoil, livestock, crops, and wildlife, increase productivity of agricultural and horticultural crops, reduce inputs of energy and chemicals, increase water use efficiency of plants and animals, improve water quality, diversify local economies and on-farm income, enhance biodiversity, improve air quality and sequester carbon; and, support working lands at the landscape scale (National Agroforestry Center, 2023; Quandt et al., 2023; Wilson & Lovell, 2016). In addition to its suite of environmental and economic benefits, agroforestry promotes a more balanced and integrated approach to land use, intertwining social, spiritual, and cultural benefits (Bezner Kerr et al., 2022). Agroforestry is based on relationships of continuity, integration, and support between humans and nature as a result of a historical path of cultural practices that bind us, and thus, can support preservation and revitalization of Indigenous knowledge and practices (Fajardo Cavalcanti de Albuquerque, 2020; Figueroa-Helland et al., 2018; Rivera-Núñez et al., 2020).
Despite these many cited benefits, uptake and adoption in the Northeast, and the US more broadly, remains limited (Chenyang et al., 2020; Roberts, 2017; Wilson & Lovell, 2016). Significant barriers to adoption exist including limited awareness and knowledge, economic uncertainty, and regulatory challenges (Chenyang et al., 2020; Louah et al., 2017). These barriers and challenges are further compounded by historic and contemporary injustices that shape food and agriculture systems, leaving the role of agroforestry in contributing to social transformation an area where more applied research is required (Hastings et al., 2021). Accordingly, scholars, land and agricultural professionals, and farmers are pointing to the need for interdisciplinary approaches to ensure agroforestry is only sustainable but also inclusive, preserving and enhancing the human dimensions of agriculture (Bosco & Thomas, 2023; Hastings et al., 2020).
Utilizing the Northeast region as a case example, I will address this need by exploring how transitions to agroforestry can be made equitable through a mixed method, qualitative study. If benefits of agroforestry are not made clear and adoption is not made accessible, SDFRs are then less likely adopt practices. In the context of the Northeast, there is no current published research on how SDFRs’ perceptions, priorities, and motivations for engagement with or interest in agroforestry nor economic, production-related, and informational barriers SDFR experience in integrating agroforestry into their suite of agricultural practices. In addition to the qualitative case study, this project will include a demonstrate site and a series of three workshops. Demonstration sites play a pivotal role in facilitating the adoption of agroforestry practices by serving as hubs for community engagement, bringing together stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to collaborate, share experiences, and build networks of support and help make informed decisions about adopting agroforestry practices and implementing them on lands they steward (Louah et al., 2017). Traditional demonstration sites often showcase practices and technologies that, while effective, assume a level of resource availability that is not realistic for SDFRs. This mismatch can perpetuate disparities rather than bridge them (Layman & Civita, 2022; Putnam et al., 2014).
To this end, this research will fill these important, yet overlooked, gaps by analyzing the factors that contribute to more equitable transitions to agroforestry from the perspective of farmers and service providers while also co-learning, co-demonstrating, and co-educating around Indigenous agroforestry. More broadly, as agroforestry transitions are system-level issues, this work responds to multiple calls to further integrate systems-level research that directly address equity to increase the efficacy of applied agro-ecosystem research and outreach.
Research
Methods Overview: Objectives 1-3
Participant observation
Nikfarjam is in process of collect qualitative data through participant observation from a variety of events, including meetings, workshops, seminars, and other relevant gatherings. Data collection is being conducted both online and in-person, covering public meetings hosted by a diverse set of organizations. These include policy coalitions, natural resource groups, farmer collectives, and academic institutions. Such settings were chosen to provide a broad spectrum of perspectives and interactions that influence agroforestry development, practices, and policies. The primary objective is to document and analyze the dynamics of these gatherings, assess both the presence and the participation of different stakeholders, gather information
regarding, perceptions, priorities, and motivations for engaging in agroforestry, and highlight any patterns of inclusion or exclusion within these dialogues. Handwritten notes will be taken throughout each event. After the digitization of notes and coding are complete, the original handwritten notes will be destroyed to maintain confidentiality and data integrity.
Update 2024: Participant Observation Activities
Agroforestry-Specific Conferences (1)
- Engaged in discussions on financial and technical barriers limiting SDFR participation in agroforestry programs
- Conducted participant observation by attending sessions on farmer-led research and traditional knowledge integration in agroforestry
- Networked with technical service providers to identify interview contacts
Food Systems Conferences (2)
- Focused on attending sessions on agroforestry and agroecology sessions that addressed systemic issues such as land access challenges, climate resilience, and racial equity
- Engaged in dialogue sessions on the intersection of agroforestry and agroecology, racial equity, and food sovereignty, documenting key themes related to systemic barriers and opportunities
BIPOC-Producer Conference (1)
- Conducted participant observation by listening to producer-led panels on cooperative land ownership, funding challenges, and culturally relevant agroecological agroforestry practices
- Identified emerging themes around community-driven solutions for agroforestry adoption, including land rematriation and mutual aid networks
Community Organizing & Visioning Sessions with BIPOC Producers (2)
- Documented discussions on farm diversification strategies and collective decision-making in Southeast Massachusetts
- Observed how SDFRs conceptualize agroforestry within their existing land-based practices and the types of support they prioritize, such as tailored technical assistance and flexible financing
Agroecology Workshop – Weaving Just and Sustainable Food Futures (1)
- Conducted participant observation on regional approaches to agroecology and agroforestry integration
- Documented conversations around farmer-led knowledge production and service provider/ researcher accountability in supporting SDFRs
Agroforestry Webinars & Working Group Meetings (3)
- Engaged with service providers, extension professionals, and researchers to better understand institutional perspectives on supporting SDFRs
Key Goals Accomplished Through Participant Observation:
- Gathered direct insights from SDFRs on their motivations for engaging with agroforestry
- Documented examples of successful agroforestry integration within BIPOC-led farming operations, contributing to broader visibility of these efforts
- Observed recurring themes in discussions around financial and technical barriers
- Analyzed how farmers prioritize agroforestry in relation to economic pressures and climate resilience concerns
- Assessed institutional challenges and knowledge gaps among service providers supporting SDFRs in agroforestry
Semi structured interviews
Semi-structured in-person interviews are being conducted (using the interview protocol approved by the University of Vermont IRB) with approximately 40 individuals who fall under the participant inclusion criteria, expanded upon in the target population and sampling strategy below. When schedule or distance prohibits in-person interviews, phone/Zoom interviews are being performed, though in-person interviews are prioritized. Each participant is visited one time, either in-person or via phone/Zoom, and the interview is being conducted using the semi-structured interview protocol. Notes are being taken during the interviews, and an audio recording will are obtained with the participant's explicit permission. Written notes are recorded both during and after the interview. These notes are destroyed after digitization. Interview transcription are being completed by the PI herself or transcription services such as Rev, GoTranscript, or Scribie, who follow strict policies to ensure data confidentiality. Participant information will be anonymized before any audio recordings are sent to the transcription service.
Update 2024: Interview Activities
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IRB Protocol Approved
- Secured approval from the University of Vermont Institutional Review Board (STUDY00003149) for study and both interview protocols- farmers and technical service providers
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Outreach Initiated
- Began recruitment of farmers through participant observation activities and personal networks, leveraging existing relationships to connect with potential interviewees
- Identified additional stakeholders to interview including service providers, state actors, non-profit organizations, and for-profit companies
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Preliminary Interviews
- Completed initial interviews to test and refine the semi-structured interview protocol
- Assessed clarity and effectiveness of questions to ensure alignment with research objectives
- Gathered initial insights on agroforestry perceptions, barriers, and resource needs
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Next Steps: Prioritizing Outreach & Interviews in 2025
- Expanding recruitment efforts to reach a broader sample of SDFRs and service providers
- Conducting the majority of interviews in 2025, with an emphasis on in-person engagement whenever possible
- Continuing to refine interview strategies based on preliminary findings
Survey
In addition to semi-structured interviews, a short survey will be administered to gather demographic information as well as information on on-farm practices. Demographic information is important to this work, given the ways in which identities, socio-political histories, and governance systems intersect in the context of agriculture and land management. Information regarding on-farm practices will help explore the relationships between interest in or willingness to adopt agroforestry based on other agricultural practices; and will be particularly relevant when thinking about questions of scaling of agroforestry.
Update 2024: Survey in Development
Focused on:
- Refining survey questions to ensure the data collected is relevant and complements, rather than duplicates, insights from semi-structured interviews
- Reviewing existing literature and similar survey instruments to identify gaps and avoid redundancy
Next Steps
- Finalizing survey structure and question design
- Piloting the survey with a small group to test clarity and effectiveness before broader distribution
Analysis
All data collected as part of this study is being analyzed using inductive content analysis to draw semantic connections between interviewees and observations made during participant observation. The data is being compiled into a database of raw data (Lee et al., 2010) to establish an internal chain of evidence for analysis. Constant comparative analysis is being used as a cyclical and continuous method of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting qualitative data (Lindlof & Taylor, 2011). This method requires the ongoing identification of themes and codes across interviews, situating findings within existing literature and theoretical frameworks (Charmaz, 2006). Given the diverse contexts of research participants, the constant comparative method is well-suited to identifying patterns and variations in agroforestry adoption among socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (SDFRs).
Demographic survey data is being used to generate summary statistics for the 30 farmers and land stewards interviewed. Additionally, information regarding agroforestry and other on-farm practices is being integrated and analyzed using R open-source software.
The three data sources—participant observations, interviews, and surveys—are being compared to determine where they complement one another. This triangulation between methods strengthens empirical conclusions, providing a more comprehensive understanding of farmer knowledge, power-driven barriers to agroforestry adoption, and strategies for overcoming those barriers. Taken together, these analytical methods contribute to advancing the conceptual framing of agroforestry transitions in the academic literature.
To ensure data reliability, research findings are being shared with study participants and community members at two points during the research process:
- Preliminary stage – Member checking and soliciting feedback on initial findings.
- Study conclusion – Sharing final results and engaging in community-based reflection.
Target Population & Sampling Strategy
According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, 4,930 farms in the Northeast engage in at least one form of agroforestry out of a total of 128,814 farms in the region (ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA). However, given inconsistencies in how agroforestry practices are classified and reported, the actual number of farms practicing agroforestry is likely higher.
While there is no aggregated demographic data on farmers participating in agroforestry, SDFRs represent approximately 6.5% of total farms in the Northeast. Based on this estimate, around 321 farms are both owned by SDFRs and engaged in agroforestry. A sample size of 30 farmers has been selected, representing approximately 10%of the estimated SDFRs practicing agroforestry in the region. This sample size is designed to balance robust analysiswith deep, case-oriented inquiry, following Sandelowski’s (1995) recommendation that qualitative samples be large enough to develop “new and richly textured understanding” while remaining small enough to allow for in-depth analysis (p. 183).
In addition to 30 SDFRs, 10 agricultural and natural resource service providers are being interviewed. To be included, service providers must:
- Operate in the Northeast United States.
- Offer specific services or programs designed to support SDFRs.
- Be involved in promoting, supporting, or developing agroforestry practices.
Preference is being given to service providers with a demonstrated commitment to agroforestry and SDFR support.
Participant recruitment follows a purposive sampling approach, drawing from existing professional networks and relationships. Snowball sampling is also being utilized, as interviewees are asked to recommend additional participants who may be a good fit for the study. Recruiting interviewees through established relationships and community partnerships ensures accountability to the communities engaging in just models of agroforestry. If 40 interviews cannot be completed through purposive and snowball sampling, additional outreach will be conducted through professional networks without prior relationships to the PI.
To mitigate extractive research practices, funding has been secured through the University of Vermont’s Sustainable Campus Fund, ensuring that farmers are compensated at a rate of $100/hour for their participation in interviews.
Evaluation
Progress toward data collection and analysis is being evaluated against a research and training schedule, developed with input from the Faculty Advisor. The evaluation process tracks milestones in data collection, analysis, and communication of findings for Objectives 1-3 over the two-year funding period.
Progress documentation includes:
- Connections made and relationships built with research participants.
- Interviews conducted and the number of participants engaged.
- Time spent conducting participant observation and fieldwork.
- Meetings attended related to agroforestry research, policy, and community engagement.
The project timeline is reviewed quarterly with the Faculty Advisor to ensure adherence to deadlines and maintain research integrity.
Methods Overview: Objective 4-5
Objectives 4 and 5 are being met through a collaborative research process, embodying a Participatory Action Research framework. The first stage of Objective 4 cultivates a shared vision, goals, and outcomes with Chief Nij-Pajikwat-Mo`z (Chief Two Running Elk), also known as Robert Cox, the landowner and manager of Wainer Woods, along with members of the Pocasset Pokanoket Tribe. This includes a series of focus groups, consultations, and site visits. Interviews are being conducted with tribal elders and family members who have connections to the land. Questions focus on ecological characteristics, growth habits, medicinal properties, and the cultural significance of various plant species utilized in agroforestry systems.
In the second stage of the process, the research team is co-selecting the agroforestry method(s) most appropriate for the goals and desired outcomes of the project, which may include commercial markets, home food provisioning, erosion control, soil health improvement, and educational use. To begin species selection, a review of academic and grey literature is underway to develop an initial list of viable species for the southern New England bioregion. This process draws upon existing resources such as The Vermont Farm to Plate’s agroforestry species list and the ongoing SARE farmer project, Farmer to Farmer Agroforestry Guidebook for the Northeast.
Once the species list is compiled, the research follows a novel method proposed by Hastings et al. (2022) that integrates co-production of knowledge with functional trait approaches. Functional traits serve as a “common currency” across biological organization levels and taxonomic groups. Data collection focuses on specific species characteristics, including cultivars, zones, light, moisture, soil texture, soil pH, form, height, width, root span, lifespan, growth rate, hardiness, rootstock cost, rootstock availability, management costs, and use. Additionally, inductive categories such as emerging and potential markets, cultural meaning, and spiritual significance are being incorporated. The initial species list consists of 50 species, with data analysis filtering selections based on ecological, economic, and cultural priorities, including livelihood factors (emerging markets, management costs, price), ecological considerations (conservation potential, climate resiliency, lifespan, hardiness), and human well-being (nutrition, cultural meaning). Indigenous perspectives on spiritual and cultural significance, drawn from interviews, are guiding this process.
A budget and site management plan are being drafted utilizing relevant planning documents such as the Forest Management Plan and site maps to inform design and implementation. Site analysis is being co-conducted with the research team, which includes members of the Pocasset Pokanoket Tribe, NRCS representatives, and officials from the Town of Westport Historical Society, all of whom are contributing facilitation and funding for the project.
The demonstration garden is set for implementation in spring 2025 at Wainer Woods in Westport, MA. It will serve as a seed project for a broader initiative led by the tribe to expand programmatic offerings around Indigenous agroforestry. This project will complement their existing food sovereignty work through the Indigenous Roots Forever program, which serves BIPOC communities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island by installing micro-gardens based on Indigenous practices and providing community education on growing food and medicine.
Objective 5: Workshop
Plan and conduct 1 workshop with SDFRs at the agroforestry demonstration site. The goal of the workshop is to engage participants in a hands-on planting of native and culturally significant species using agroforestry techniques that complement traditional Indigenous practices, while providing education on maintenance, winter preparation, and sustainable harvesting.
Goals & Activities Proposed:
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Introduction to Agroforestry & Indigenous Land Stewardship
- Discussion led by an Indigenous elder or cultural leader on the significance of agroforestry in Indigenous land management
- Overview of native and culturally significant plants selected for the food forest, their ecological roles, and traditional uses
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Hands-On Food Forest Planting
- Participants engaged in a hands-on planting session, learning proper techniques for establishing native and perennial species
- Facilitated discussion on traditional land uses and community aspirations for the agroforestry project
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Agroforestry Maintenance & Winter Preparation
- Recap of agroforestry principles, focusing on long-term care and ecosystem health
- Instruction on pruning, mulching, and general plant care, with a focus on maintaining biodiversity and soil health
- Guidance on winterizing perennials, including techniques for protecting plants from cold weather
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Sustainable Harvesting & Processing of Medicinal Herbs
- Discussion on respectful and sustainable harvesting methods to ensure plant regeneration and ecosystem balance
- Instruction on identifying plant maturity and quality for medicinal use
- Overview of processing techniques and demonstration of traditional and contemporary uses of herbs in teas, tinctures, and salves
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Update 2024: PAR Process
The site analysis phase is ongoing, with two site visits completed and three consultations conducted with the landowner, Chief Nij-Pajikwat-Mo`z (Chief Two Running Elk). These visits and discussions have provided further insights into the ecological characteristics of the land, existing vegetation, and opportunities for agroforestry integration.
Key updates include:
- Continued site analysis to assess soil conditions, water availability, and existing plant species
- Ongoing consultations to refine project goals and align the agroforestry design with the landowner’s vision and the broader objectives of the Pocasset Pokanoket Tribe
- Species selection and planning remain in development, incorporating findings from site visits and literature reviews
The Indigenous Agroforestry Practices Workshop is currently in the brainstorming and planning phase and is scheduled to take place in spring 2026.
Education & Outreach Activities and Participation Summary
Participation Summary:
Through a combination of presentations, publications, resource
development efforts, and training initiatives, the project seeks
to ensure that its findings are widely disseminated, effectively
communicated, and ultimately translated into tangible
improvements in agroforestry and food and climate justice.
Pre-award
In April 2024, a significant aspect
of the background research for this project was already presented
during a webinar targeted at service providers and other land and
agricultural professionals. The webinar was hosted by the USDA
Climate Change webinar series, facilitated through the
researcher’s participation in the Graduate Climate Adaptation and
Mitigation program (GradCAMP), an academic program through the
USDA Northeast Climate Hub. The researcher will continue to seek
out fellowships and learning opportunities such as GradCAMP to
foster peer-to-peer learning. In June 2024, the background
portion of this research is being presented at POLLEN 2024, a
conference organized by the Political Ecology Network (POLLEN),
which serves as a hub for political ecology researchers, groups,
projects, and networks, with 250 ‘nodes’ worldwide. Given the
more advanced development of temperate agroforestry systems in
Europe, this offers an opportunity to bridge gaps in
understanding and exchange insights during a pivotal phase of the
project as data collection is being planned.
During Grant Period
To ensure widespread
dissemination of research findings and gather feedback,
presentations will be made at both practitioner-oriented
conferences and academic conferences. In 2025, initial findings
will be presented at the Northeast Organic Farming Association
Summer Conference and in 2026, the North American Agroforestry
Conference. For these practitioner-oriented conferences, the
researcher will extend invitations to close collaborators,
including farmers, to co-present at these events if they perceive
mutual benefit.
The researcher will present the findings at least one academic
conference per year during graduate school. In 2025 and 2026,
academic conference submissions will include, but are not
limited, to: the Association for the Study of Food and Society
and the Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society, the
International Association for Society and Natural Resources, and
Association for International Agricultural
and Extension Education.
In addition to academic conference presentations, research
findings will be disseminated through various publication
channels. Specifically, two scholarly articles will be authored
for publication in journals such as Elementa or the
Journal of Extension, both of which have a focus on
sustainable food systems. Efforts will be made to leverage both
guaranteed and competitive professional development funds to
ensure that these publications are published as open access.
Moreover, three additional written products will be generated
aimed at popular audiences, policymakers, and other stakeholder
groups. First, a blog post will be authored on collaborative
research processes in agroforestry to be published on UVM’s
Institute for Agroecology website. Second, a research brief that
summarizes the findings and key policy interventions in Northeast
to be published through UVM’s Institute for Agroecology research
brief series. Finally, an op-ed will be written on agroforestry
and climate justice, highlighting the importance of sociocultural
factors in agroforestry adoption targeting outlets such as Civil
Eats, Anthropocene Magazine, Grist, and the New Food Economy. To
maximize outreach and engagement, efforts will be made to share
research findings, publications, and any relevant materials
generated from this project with key farmer networks and
stakeholders. This includes the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic
Agroforestry (NEMA) Working Group, the Vermont Farm to Plate
Network, Northeast Forest farmers coalition, the Northeast
Organic Farming Association
Recognizing the pivotal role of capacity building in facilitating
the adoption of agroforestry practices, the project will extend
its educational and training efforts beyond the 3-part workshop
series outlined in the objectives above. In addition to these
workshops, the interview process will be utilized as a platform
to disseminate relevant materials and resources to farmers.
Throughout the interviews, the researcher will share a
comprehensive array of informational materials, including funding
databases, species lists, fact sheets, and other pertinent
resources. These resources will be made readily available to
farmers through a Google Drive folder. By leveraging the
interview process as an educational opportunity, the project aims
to empower farmers with the knowledge and tools necessary to
navigate the complexities of agroforestry implementation and
decision-making.
Post Award
Post-award, the researcher will
continue to work with the Pocasset Pokanoket Tribe to develop an
agroforestry plan that aligns with their traditions, needs, and
ecological knowledge, exploring additional funding opportunities
for ongoing research and collaboration. The research team will
continue to resource share and network to advance agroforestry
research, practice, and outreach, focusing on social
sustainability and indigenous perspectives. Finally, the
researcher aims to sustain publication efforts about this project
through any post-doctoral work.