The Creation of Two Alley Cropping Demonstration Sites as Cases Studies on Massachusetts Farms

Umass Amherst and Simple Gifts engaged in a partnership SARE grant with Interlace Commons to plan for and implement an alley-cropping agroforestry intervention. Both farms were guided through the planning process which fulfilled objective #1  developing a farm narrative document, site assessment (materials produced by IC and explained to the farm), a concept, and a planting/implementation plan. *Simple Gifts farm did not complete the concept or planting/implementation plan. The farm communicated with Interalce Commons that their business was struggling, and the farmers were fatigued and struggling to meet the demands of the farm under challenging financial circumstances. It was unclear whether the farm would be under their ownership in the spring of 2023, putting the implementation portion of the project in jeopardy. Interlace Commons pivoted and found another agriculturalist, Cloud Water  Farm, located in Waitsfield, Vermont, to replace Simple Gits as a participant in the partnership grant.   Objective #1 and 3 was executed in the following ways. The following are individual notes from the work that unfolded from February to late August. In addition to fieldwork, plant materials were ordered for spring 2023 delivery.

February 8th, 2022

• The farms were instructed on how to develop their farm narrative. 

March 17th & 18th, 2022

• The first site visits happened on both farms with the biophysical assets and constraints mapped.

April 27th and April 28th, 2022

• Second site visits happened on both farms with two goals achieved:
  • • Reviewed the site assessment sheet and maps, highlighting any concerns that might influence the design
    • Both farms were taught about the design principles related broadly to agroforestry, specifically alley cropping: site prep, spatial arrangement, density, interplanting and intercropping, and Land Equivalency Ratio.
      • The teachings help inform the farm's concept planning exercises

June 3rd, 2022

• Site visits happened on both farms:
  • • Redesigned the UMass Amherst plantings to address the farm manager's concerns, who could not dedicate the initial space for the alley cropping design. The planting focuses on a five-row smaller land unit, demonstrating density and typologies.
    • At Simple Gifts Farm, we identified species for each row. The farm indicated concern about the maintenance required once the plantings are installed. Economic modeling needed to happen before the design of the final planting plan. Still, because of a national plant shortage, there continues to be an urgency to get plant materials ordered before the end of June to secure varietals and quantities. This process happens in reverse without this constraint. *This constraint limits both farms to understanding the economic outcomes of their planting. The plan for the fall is to address this using an enterprise planning tool developed for our forthcoming book to help the farms understand how yields change over time based on how the practice is designed.

August 7th, 2022

• Ian Back, our contracted drone operator, took aerial images of both farms to document the landscape prior to the application of the agroforestry intervention.

August 30th, 2022

• Site visit happened at Simple Gifts Farm: This visit was to finalize the planting plan. At the end of the visit, I learned that Simple Gifts was in financial trouble and needed to rethink its model of operations, which could include restructuring its entity, renting out parcels of the land to other functions, or selling the farm entirely. This bit of information wasn't mentioned at any point during previous visits.

September 15th, 2022

• A Site visit happened at Cloud Water Farm program. The program components and shortened timelines were explained to the farmer. The farm was aware that the plant materials originally ordered for Simple Gifts farm would be installed on their farm.

Objective 1 Methods:

Use Interlace Commons' existing Field Consultancy Program curriculum to guide the land-use planning process that includes: 

1. The creation of a farm narrative identifying challenges, goals, and opportunities, a statement of purpose, and a description of farm enterprises; 
2. A site assessment identifying the biophysical and economic conditions of each farm. Biophysical conditions relate to soils, water and water quality, climate, and the farm's geographic location (i.e., distance to markets which will influence what type of crops the farmer might grow). Economic conditions include needs, infrastructure, off-farm alternatives, availability of credit and labor, willingness to take risks; and 
3. An alley cropping field design, including a planting and implementation plan influenced by the farm narrative and site assessment documents. 

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In the late fall of 2022, UMASS Amherst and Cloud Water Farm prepared their sites for planting. Plant materials, stakes, mats, and fertilizer are ordered and slated for delivery to each farm in April 2023. Weather-dependent, projects will be implemented between late April and early June of 2023.

Objective 2 Methods:

Install the planting plan (s) outlined in the land-use plan using labor supplied by the two farms:

1. Pattern the planting site by laying out the planting lanes;
2. Prepare land for tree planting by removing sod, tilling the soil, and adding amendments; and
3. Plant trees and/or shrubs and field crops at both sites according to the planting plan in accordance with the land use plan developed specifically for each farm.

Update:

UMASS Amherst and Cloud Water Farm have installed their respective alley cropping projects. 2023 was a difficult year for regional farmers. Vermont, in particular, experienced unprecedented precipitation and, in the case of Cloud Water Farm flooding that dispersed soil and removed a bridge. The field where the alley cropping project took place was unaffected. Although weather events were not as disruptive, Umass Amherst lacked the labor to address the ongoing maintenance of the newly established practice. Interlace Commons will check on each project in the spring of 2024, address any mortality issues, fertilize the trees, and install any missing plant materials. 

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Objective 3 Methods:

Phase # 1:  A project postcard was developed to announce the dates of the field days being held in 2023. During the summer of 2022, drone images of UMASS Amherst and Simple Gifts Farm were taken. Cloud Water Farm has not yet been documented via drone. We plan to take both aerial photos in the spring and summer of 2023. Case studies for each farm are under development, highlighting parts of the farm narrative, site assessment, concept, and planting plans. Case studies will now be available on the Interlace Commons, UMASS, and Cloud Water Farm websites. The location of year-round educational kiosks will now be Cloud Water Farm instead of Simple Gifts Farm. Phase # 2: Meghan and Joe Bossen will present at the NOFA summer conference if accepted. Two farm field days will happen in September of 2023, one at UMASS Amherst and one at Cloud Water Farm.

To maximize the impact of these two demonstration sites, we will utilize various methods, providing multiple modes of engagement.

Phase # 2: Documentation: 

1. Develop case studies for each farm, including the design and implementation process and results. For each case study we will collect and share data on 1) the species planted; 2) the rationale for their selection (based on the biophysical properties, economic profile, and goals of each farm); 3) the number of trees/shrubs/plants planted and in what configuration; 4) the process for planting, including the use of any soil amendments and/or mulches and other materials utilized for protection of newly planted trees/shrubs/crops; 5) the total costs of the project, including time, labor, and materials; 6) the land use plan developed as the foundation for these processes; and 7) any resulting questions, successes, and challenges. The documentation will be available on the Interlace Commons, UMASS student farm, and Simple Gifts' websites;
2. Create a visual depiction of the project using high-resolution before and after drone images (to be included in the case studies and on the sign described below); and
3. Create permanent educational signage to install in a kiosk format at the UMass site to provide comprehensive, year-round education and engagement.

Update:

Project documentation (case studies, images, and permanent educational signage)  is underdeveloped and should be completed by the end of April 2024. Regarding the permanent educational signage, the location has moved from UMASS Amherst to Cloud Water Farm.

Phase # 3: Dissemination: 

1. The farms will share their process, learning, and field design plans at a community presentation halfway through the project. This helps build momentum, interest, and helps the farmers clarify their plans moving forward. 
2. Meghan and Lisa will present on process and results at the Summer Northeast Organic Farming Association's conference, which will include a site visit to the UMass farm and Simple Gifts Farm;
3. Meghan will present on process and results at the Vermont Northeast Organic Farming Association conference; and
4. Interlace Commons, Simple Gifts Farm, and the Umass farm will host two Field Days in September 2023. As Simple Gifts Farms is within walking distance of the UMass farm, both farms will be toured during each Field Day which will include equal parts classroom instruction and site visits. These Field Days will be promoted via a postcard sent to farms, agricultural conservation organizations, and technical service providers in Massachusetts, as well as through Interlace Common's and the farms' social media networks and word of mouth.

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Interlace Commons works intensively with the NRCS field offices throughout the Northeast. Agroforestry policy, associated conservation programs, practice standards, and fee schedules are evolving quickly. It's best to wait until the end of this project to disseminate the latest opportunities for grant funding from the USDA and private funders.

Update:

1. This did not happen largely because Simple Gifts dropped out; UMASS Amherst and Cloud Water Farm experienced difficulties in 2023. 
2. If our proposal is accepted, Meghan and Lisa will present the process and results at the summer NOFA conference. 
3. NOFA's winter conference has closed for Winter 2024. 
4. Interlace Commons, Cloud Water Farm, and the Umass Farm will host two Field Days in the spring or summer of 2024.

Objective 4 Methods: To increase the likelihood of alley cropping's adoption by other farms in the Northeast, we will:

1. Research available grant opportunities from the USDA and other entities;
2. Identify the opportunities appropriate for farms interested in implementing alley cropping;
3. Create a database of funding opportunities; and 
4. Make a funding database available to farms via Interlace Common's website and promote via the case studies created with this project.

Update: 

1-4 is done and ongoing. A spreadsheet of funding resources for agroforestry will be posted on the Interlace Commons website by February 29th.