Enhancing farms with trees for profit and planet
Eligible agricultural producers are invited to apply for the Expanding Agroforestry Incentive Payment Program, offering significant financial incentives to integrate sustainable tree farming into existing agricultural practices. The application period opens on January 31, 2025, and continues through March 14, 2025.
This initiative, part of a broader effort funded by the USDA’s Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities, supports the installation of agroforestry systems such as alley cropping, silvopasture, and windbreaks. By participating, farmers can significantly reduce installation costs, receiving payments that cover 75% of these expenses, or up to $450 per acre.
“Agroforestry offers a unique synergy between agricultural production and environmental stewardship," said Kris Johnson, Ph.D. He emphasizes the economic and ecological benefits of integrating trees into farmlands, which include diversifying income through the sale of fruits, nuts, and timber and enhancing the sustainability of the farmland itself.
The program targets six regions across 30 states, aiming to foster wider adoption of agroforestry to improve carbon sequestration, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance soil and water quality.
Prospective applicants can attend a Town Hall webinar on January 22, 2025, to gain insights into the program and its benefits. For more information or to apply, visit nature.org/Expanding/Agroforestry.