Expanding Agroforestry Project
Helping farmers increase resilience and benefit nature
A new agroforestry program is giving U.S. farmers an opportunity to increase the resiliency of their operations and enhance the health of their land and surrounding waters.
What Is Agroforestry?
Agroforestry is the intentional integration of trees and shrubs into crop and livestock systems to generate environmental, economic and social benefits.
Currently, agroforestry accounts for less than 2% of agricultural lands in the United States. The Expanding Agroforestry Project aims to establish tens of thousands of acres of new agroforestry plantings across 30 states over the next three years (see map below).
The effort is funded through the USDA’s Advancing Markets for Producers initiative, announced in April 2025.
Led by The Nature Conservancy in collaboration with a diverse network of partners (see below), this project aims to accelerate private investment in agroforestry while helping farmers improve profitability. At the same time, it delivers measurable environmental benefits while creating a scalable model for adoption across millions of acres nationwide.
To achieve its goals, project partners will:
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Regional Assistance
Provide farmers with region-specific technical assistance and outreach to support local implementation.
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Incentive Payments
Deliver $39 million in direct incentive payments to farmers in support of tree planting.
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Market Partnerships
Partner with companies and retailers to expand markets for agroforestry products such as nuts, fruits, timber and silvopasture-raised livestock.
Together, these efforts are designed to support farmers in adopting one or more of three core agroforestry practices that are best suited for their land.
Alley Cropping
Alley cropping is an agroforestry practice that integrates rows of trees or shrubs with crops grown in the “alleys” between them. These systems can include timber, fruit, or nut species alongside annual or perennial crops, allowing farmers to produce multiple products on the same acreage.
Over time, the trees influence light, water, and nutrient conditions, creating a dynamic system that can improve productivity, diversify income, and enhance resilience while supporting soil health and overall farm sustainability. Learn more.
Silvopasture
Silvopasture is an agroforestry practice that intentionally integrates trees, forage, and grazing livestock on the same land. These systems are actively managed to produce both short- and long-term income, combining annual livestock returns with tree products such as timber or nuts.
Trees can provide shade that reduces heat stress and improves animal well-being, while forage and root systems help protect soil, improve water quality, and support overall farm productivity and resilience. Learn more.
Windbreaks
Windbreaks are rows of trees and shrubs planted to reduce wind speed and create more favorable conditions for crops, livestock, soil, and people. By slowing wind, they help prevent soil erosion, improve crop yields, and protect livestock from stress while enhancing overall farm productivity.
Windbreaks also provide additional benefits such as wildlife habitat, improved water quality, and opportunities to produce marketable products like fruits, nuts, or timber. Learn more.
Environmental Benefits
With millions of acres of U.S. agricultural lands suitable for adoption, agroforestry offers powerful, long-term environmental solutions for U.S. working lands. Integrating perennial trees and shrubs into farming systems helps:
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Soil Retention
Perennial roots stabilize soil and help retain valuable nutrients on the land.
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Water Quality
Trees and shrubs filter runoff and improve overall water quality.
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Habitat Support
Agroforestry plantings create layered habitat that provides food, shelter, and movement corridors for a wide range of wildlife.
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Livestock Comfort
Trees provide natural shade that helps reduce heat stress and improve livestock well-being.
Collaborating for Success
The Expanding Agroforestry Project brings together leading businesses, academic institutions and non-profit organizations working to expand agroforestry on U.S. agricultural lands. TNC is the project lead and is responsible for grant administration and processing incentive payments to farmers.
The North America Agriculture team at TNC is working closely with six regional leads to manage the project, including coordinating with national partners to expand financing opportunities and develop markets for agroforestry commodities.
Agroforestry project geography and regional leads.
Regional Leads
Project Partners
Producers Invited to Apply!
The Expanding Agroforestry Project announces its third Incentive Payment Program cycle. Application window: June 30 to August 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Before You Apply:
- Review the Incentive Payment Program Frequently Asked Questions
- Schedule a 1-hour pre-application call with technical assistance staff from your Regional Lead Organization using this form. We strongly encourage this call—it’s a great opportunity to get guidance before submitting your application.
How to Apply
- Complete the online application form
- Include your Incentive Payment Estimator results
- Include any required or recommended supporting materials
What to Expect: Applicants will be notified about their application status in October 2026.
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Tip
Draft your application responses first using this downloadable worksheet, as the online form does not allow you to save progress. Download the worksheet
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Questions?
Resources
Explore a range of materials designed to support your agroforestry journey—from understanding what’s possible to taking action. From FAQs to fact sheets and partner resources, you can learn about agroforestry, evaluate its fit for your operation, and find direction as you plan, apply, or implement a project. Whether you're just getting started or looking to move forward, these resources offer clear, useful information to guide your next steps.
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Agroforestry Resources
pdf
The following is a listing of various online agroforestry-focused resources developed independently by Expanding Agroforestry Project partners.
Download
Stay Connected
Join our email list! The Nature Conservancy and its partners invite you to follow the progress of the Expanding Agroforestry Project—an effort supported by the USDA’s Advancing Markets for Producers initiative. When you sign up, you’ll receive: project updates, application deadlines, event invitations and connections to your regional lead organization.
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