Adapt Agroforestry Silvopasture Twilight Meeting

Overview: Join Extension staff and our partners this fall to learn about creating silvopasture from forestland. Through the ADAPT project, Yale Forests is collaborating with The University of New Hampshire and Dartmouth to study the productivity and impacts of silvopasture adoption on New England Farms. This event will showcase early results of silvopasture-by-subtraction research trials happening at Hidden Blossom Farm in Union, CT.

Hidden Blossom Farm is a 134 acre, diversified farm in Union, Connecticut. They specialize in family heirloom figs, grass-fed beef, and full flavor vegetables. Hidden Blossom Farm incorporates the agroforestry practice of silvopasture to ensure pastures are fertile and ecologically sound.

Workshop Description: Participants will walk through multi-year research studies on silvopasture-by-subtraction sites. Preliminary results will be presented as we walk through silvopasture, treeless pasture, and forest control sites on the farm. Established in 2025, and grazed through the 2026 season, these pasture trials provide insight into what’s possible for establishing silvopasture on farms in New England, as well as highlighting some of the challenges and costs. Note: this will be a walking tour, uphill and over uneven ground at times.

Schedule:

• 4:45 pm Arrive and gather at farmstand
• 5:00 pm Introductions and walk to research trials
• 5:20 pm Project overview
• 5:30 pm Visit forest control plot
• 5:45 pm Visit silvopasture and treeless pasture plots, discuss silvopasture and treeless pasture establishment steps and costs
• 6:15 pm Presentation of forage productivity and nutrient analysis from treeless pasture and silvopasture
• 6:40 pm Questions and responses on way back down to farmstand
• 7:00 pm Adjourn