The Agroforestry Symposium: Growing Opportunities in Emerging Tree Crop Industries will feature farmers, researchers and industry professionals working to catalyze market development for perennial specialty crops across the United States. With a special focus on chestnut, pecan, hazelnut, black walnut and elderberry, panelists will analyze and explore market drivers for these high-value crops from the farm gate to the grocery store shelf.
“The Center for Agroforestry has worked with industry partners for three decades to build the scaffolding for a robust tree crop industry in the Eastern half of the United States,” said Director Ron Revord. “In recent years, we’ve seen strong market pull for these crops that hold great potential for contributing to the success of family farms across our region.”
The Agroforestry Symposium is a free annual event hosted by the Center for Agroforestry in-person at the State Historical Society of Missouri in downtown Columbia and livestreamed via Zoom for attendees around the world. The program will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15. The full schedule and speaker information can be viewed at the Center for Agroforestry’s website.
Both in-person and online attendees must register in advance. Lunch will be provided for in-person guests.
In addition, the day before the symposium (Wednesday, Jan. 14) the Center is offering an in-person workshop tailored to growers, natural resource professionals, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts seeking to advance their expertise in tree crop management and agroforestry integration. This workshop will host structured, small-group breakout sessions with opportunities to ask questions to industry experts. While the primary focus is chestnuts, black walnuts, pecans and hazelnuts, other tree crop growers and enthusiasts are welcome. Please register in advance ($10 fee).
About the Center for Agroforestry
Since 1998, our scientists have investigated the impacts of integrating trees with crops and/or livestock on family farm economics, state and national-level conservation goals, and human health. Paired with systematic crop breeding programs for black walnut, chestnut, pecan, hazelnut and elderberry spanning nearly three decades, our field research equips farmers with high performing cultivars that have the potential to boost farm gate revenue. In addition, the Center educates the next generation of agroforestry leaders through the nation’s first and only comprehensive agroforestry graduate degree. Outreach programming brings our latest research findings down to earth, with annual trainings, field workshops and a robust network of demonstration farms in Missouri. Our intertwined mission of research, education and outreach works jointly to stand up profitable and resilient new tree crop industries for family farms across the Midwest. The Center was named a CAFNR Program of Distinction in 2019.