Home / Blogs / Appalachian Sustainable Development expands Agroforestry Technical Assistance Program to help local and regional farmers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 01/09/2023
Contact: Emilie Tweardy
Agroforester
https://asdevelop.org
etweardy@asdevelop.org
276-623-1121

DUFFIELD, Va. – Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) is looking forward to another year of Agroforestry excellence with the expansion of its Agroforestry Technical Assistance program. ASD will provide a variety of free and low-cost services aimed at expansion or implementation of agroforestry practices. For more information, contact Emilie Tweardy, Agroforester, at etweardy@asdevelop.org. New and experienced farmers and landowners should apply: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjmy2_YR58MNIEAmHvztZuf1oLpXDXjOxqLiufueodypcnAA/viewform. 

Technical assistance and services include: 

• Agroforesters on staff can provide remote Technical Assistance (phone calls, email support, online meetings) to those interested in learning more about Agroforestry resources and options on their land, including Forest Farming, Silvopasture and Alley Cropping. 
• For eligible applicants, a site visit conducted by ASD’s Agroforestry team to discuss details, implementation, design, maintenance and other site specifics may be available. Visits are $50 to help cover ASD’s time and travel.
• Site visits and technical support specifically for up to 8 aspiring maple syrup producers is available to qualified applicants.

About Agroforestry
Agroforestry is a land use management system in which trees and/or shrubs are grown with crops and/or livestock. This intentional combination of agriculture and forestry has a variety of environmental and economic benefits, including crop diversification, soil erosion reduction, water quality improvement, wildlife habitat enhancement and more. Agroforestry practices include: forest farming, riparian forest buffers, alley cropping, silvopasture, windbreaks and food forests. ASD established its agroforestry program in 2010 with the goal of helping farmers adopt agroforestry practices that support both conservation and commerce. 

About Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD)
Living Better. Locally. It’s what drives ASD’s commitment to propel its mission to build a thriving regional food and agriculture system that creates healthy communities, respects the planet, and cultivates profitable opportunities for Appalachians. Since 1995, ASD has been working in Central Appalachia, providing hope, and making a difference for the people who call the region home. What began as opportunities for struggling tobacco farmers to grow fruits and vegetables have become lasting solutions to regional challenges that impact economic development, workforce development, food access, health, and wellness. Over the years, ASD has expanded its reach from northeast TN and southwest VA to include partners in WV, OH and KY, enabling the organization to bring resources back to the region. For more information, visit:  https://asdevelop.org. 

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