Evaluating the Efficacy of Contour-Based Silvopasture Plantings with Grassed Terraces for Water Retention

Commodities

• Additional Plants: trees

Practices

• Crop Production: agroforestry, contour farming, silvopasture, terraces
• Natural Resources/Environment: grass waterways
• Production Systems: permaculture

This project aims to advance our understanding of optimal design
and establishment of silvopasture systems within existing open
pastures in the Northeast United States. We aim to investigate
and compare two distinct planting methodologies: contour-based
planting with grassed water terraces and traditional
straight-line planting. This comparative study will focus on tree
growth, survival, and soil conservation benefits, providing
valuable insights into the most effective silvopasture designs
for the region.

Our approach includes setting up and closely monitoring
experimental plots, using precise data collection techniques to
assess tree health and soil quality over several growing seasons.
The project will also evaluate the ease of implementation and
cost-effectiveness of each method, addressing a significant
challenge faced by many small to medium-scale farmers in the
Northeast: the lack of accessible irrigation resources for tree
establishment. Outreach efforts will play a pivotal role,
involving the dissemination of our findings through workshops,
online resources, and collaborations with agricultural
organizations. By offering practical, evidence-based
recommendations, this project seeks to empower farmers with the
knowledge and tools necessary to implement efficient and
sustainable silvopasture systems, thus promoting ecological
resilience and economic sustainability in agricultural practices.

The objectives of this project are:

1. Evaluate Tree Mortality Rates: Compare the
   effectiveness of contour-based planting with grassed water
   terraces against traditional planting methods in terms of
   tree survival rates over multiple growing seasons.

2. Evaluate Tree Growth Rates: Compare the
   effectiveness of contour-based planting with grassed water
   terraces against traditional planting methods in terms of
   tree growth rates over multiple growing seasons.

3. Assess Soil Conservation Benefits: Measure
   and analyze the impact of each planting method on soil
   health, including erosion control and water retention
   capabilities.

4. Determine Cost-Effectiveness and
   Practicality: Evaluate the feasibility, labor
   requirements, and financial implications of each planting
   method to determine the most cost-effective and practical
   approach for farmers in the Northeast United States.

These objectives are designed to provide clear, measurable
outcomes that will contribute useful information for farmers,
aiding in the development of more sustainable farming practices
through improved silvopasture techniques.