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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 04/05/2022
Contact: Stesha Warren
Agroforester
https://asdevelop.org
swarren@asdevelop.org
276-623-1121

DUFFIELD, Va. – Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) has expanded its agroforestry technical assistance program for new or seasoned farmers to provide them with a variety of free services to help them expand or implement agroforestry practices into their farm or land. Interested farmers and landowners are encouraged to apply at: https://www.asdevelop.org/programs-resources/agroforestry/.  Questions should be directed to Stesha Warren, Agroforester, at: swarren@asdevelop.org or Robin Suggs, Procurement Manager, at: rsuggs@asdevelop.org 

Agroforestry technical assistance now includes resources on a variety of things including: alley cropping – the planting of rows of trees and/or shrubs to create alleys within which forage, produce, herbs or other agricultural or horticultural crops are grown; and forest farming – the cultivation of high-value, shade loving crops, most commonly called non-timber forest products (NTFP’s), under the protection of a managed tree canopy. Forest farming can produce a variety of end products ranging from medicinal and edibles crops to ornamental and ritualistic items. ASD’s focus is on helping forest farmers produce edibles such as maple syrup, ramps or mushrooms, and medicinals such as ginseng and goldenseal. 

Farmers can also benefit from resource sharing, phone calls, site visits and planning (which have a $50 fee​ to offset travel expenses). Site visits are subject to staff capacity, availability and grant funding. ASD may not be able to conduct site visits with all eligible applicants and site visits are first come, first serve. Eligible applicants must live within a 3 hour radius from ASD’s Appalachian Harvest Food and Herb Hub located in Duffield, VA. 

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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