Technology Archives - Fruit Growers News

Naturipe Farms’ Earth-first philosophy

Doug Ohlemeier — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 09:00:27 +0000

Naturipe Farms, based in Salinas, California, has been a pioneering force in berry production since 1917.

With origins as a marketing cooperative for strawberries, Naturipe has since transformed into a vertically integrated company owned by four distinct growing organizations. Its extensive network of growers cultivates blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries and even avocados.

Today, Naturipe is a large producer of organic blueberries, with year-round production sourced from prime growing regions in California, Florida, Georgia, Oregon, Washington, Peru, Chile and Mexico.

Earth-first philosophy

Being organic is one part of the company’s strong commitment to the environment and sustainability. “Naturipe growers use many practices to minimize their environmental footprints,” said Janis McIntosh, director of marketing innovation and sustainability for Naturipe Farms. “From good soil management to state-of-the-art technology, if it makes sense, they will implement it.”

Naturipe is a large producer of organic blueberries, with year-round production sourced from prime growing regions in Peru (shown here with its composting operations), Chile, Mexico, Florida, Georgia, California, Oregon and Washington. Photos courtesy of Naturipe Farms.

On the farm, sustainability practices include water management, integrated pest management (IPM), composting, mulching and the use of drones and other innovative tools.

“In addition, over one-quarter of our production is now packed and cooled with renewable energy,” McIntosh said. “New installations in New Jersey, California and Chile partially contribute to Naturipe lowering its carbon emissions by 100,000 metric tons.”

Pollinator health is another area in which Naturipe’s growers are highly focused. In fact, over the last few years, the growers have installed more than 1,000 acres of habitats throughout North and South America.

“Our pruning, composting and chop-and-drop techniques increase soil microbial diversity and improve carbon storage and water retention,” McIntosh said. “Our diversified pollinator habitat programs support our pollinator- reliant crops and the local ecosystem.”

Regenerative agriculture

Several of Naturipe’s crops, including avocados, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, are no-till crops with live-root systems year-round.

“Cover crops are planted to add additional nutrients and organic matter, such as bacteria, fungi, and several other microorganisms, which are crucial to the health and fertility of the soil,” McIntosh said.

The regenerative practices add to the longevity of the crops.

“For over one hundred years, our family farms have utilized state-of-the- art practices that have allowed them to farm the same land for generations, providing fresh delicious berries to the local markets,” McIntosh said. “Benefits of regenerative practices include soil health, increased pollinator population, reduced water use, composting and dependence on conventional energy.”

Tech talk

Over the decades, Naturipe has continued to add new technology to the farms to enhance water conservation and soil health, contributing to sustainability and resource efficiency.

“Our growers use precise metered drip irrigation, tiling and mulch systems to reduce their water footprint,” McIntosh said. “Tunnels can be used to extend growing seasons and improve plant and soil quality. Also, we have stringent IPM protocols, including biological, cultural and mechanical controls such as pest vacuums and netting.”

For more than 40 years, all growers have used drip irrigation systems to deliver water and nutrients directly to the root zone, but this has only become more advanced.

“Today, we utilize laser-level technology to optimize the delivery of vital nutrients, creating a more homogenous, even crop,” McIntosh said. “In addition, drones deliver predatory mites based on pest pressure and satellite imagery. Camera technology with AI can enhance our field management, including worker movement minimization. And our grower partner has developed Smartberry, a digital data recording, reporting and visualization platform.”

Ensuring food safety

Naturipe has the protocols in place to ensure the highest standards of food safety across its supply chain.

For instance, all of its farms are audited annually by a third-party certifying body to a GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) benchmarked standard. Additionally, they all either have Global GAP or Primus GFS food safety audits.

“All growers have food safety personnel on-site trained in the latest food safety regulations and procedures, the produce rule or preventive controls training,” McIntosh said. “They also have robust IPM and GAP, a good agricultural practices program that guides all daily practices and ensures the best and safest berries are produced and sold. All fields are inspected just before harvest to ensure no contamination has occurred.”

All data is recorded into the company’s SAP platform so it can trace back and forth any product shipped.

“This system quickly allows us to find any of our products in minutes,” McIntosh said. “We also use an asset-based carrier that tracks the temperature and location of our product in real time to ensure there is no break in the cold chain until it reaches our customers. All products and trucks prior to loading undergo quality checks and inspections.”

Reducing carbon footprint

Since 2020, Naturipe’s growers have made significant investments in solar energy as they continue to look for ways to reduce their carbon footprint.

“In 2023, our grower in Chile celebrated the installation of the largest floating solar plant in South America,” McIntosh said. “Also last year, our flagship cooler in Watsonville, California installed rooftop and solar parking canopies to power their operation. In 2024, we are celebrating the installation of six acres of solar panels in Delano, California, powering one of our largest blueberry operations.”

Social responsibility

Naturipe was among the first companies to sign onto the ethical charter developed by the PMA International Fresh Produce Association and United Fresh. The charter outlines social responsibility issues and standards to ensure farmworker safety and security.

The company is also active participants and on the advisory board for the Ethical Charter Implementation Program (ECIP), a farm-level assessment and training to ensure every farm worker is treated fairly and employee safety comes first.

“In addition, many of our farms have also had a third-party social responsibility audit to ensure worker safety and that every worker is treated with respect,” McIntosh said. “While some of our growers are Fair Trade certified, all our growers are active in the communities they grow in. They support local charities, provide much-needed health and dental services, and even build playgrounds and ball fields.”

Article written by Keith Loria, Contributing Writer

A graduate of the University of Miami, Keith Loria is an award- winning journalist who has been writing for almost 20 years. View his recent writing at keithloria.contently.com.

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Agriculture drones transform farming practices

Debbie Eisele — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 09:00:05 +0000

The agriculture drone market is soaring as precision farming techniques gain traction. With applications ranging from crop monitoring to field mapping, drones are revolutionizing farming.

In a recent press release from Transparency Market Research that detailed findings in a report on the agriculture drone market, drones come in three main types: fixed-wing for extensive coverage, multi-rotor for detailed inspections and hybrid models that offer a mix of both.

Transparency Market Research’s press release noted that the global market is expanding, with North America and Europe leading in adoption and Asia-Pacific experiencing rapid growth. Future advancements in artificial intelligence and battery technology are expected to further enhance drone capabilities.

Agriculture drones provide farmers with data, helping them manage crops more efficiently, optimize resource use and improve yields. This technology, is becoming essential in addressing challenges like food security and climate change by offering precise, real-time insights and enabling targeted interventions, Transparency Market Research noted.

Despite their benefits, challenges include high initial costs and complex regulations. However, Transparency Market Research’s press release shared that the technology’s potential to enhance productivity and sustainability makes it a promising tool for modern farming.

For more details, visit transparencymarketresearch.com.

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Sensors guide growers on water decisions

Doug Ohlemeier — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 10:00:23 +0000

Lisa Tate, a fifth-generation grower in Santa Paula, said she knew something was amiss in a block of young avocado trees planted on her family’s ranch.She had a hunch that too much water was sitting in the root zone after a second year of above-average rainfall.

It was still spring, and her crew suggested it was time to irrigate. But Tate was proven right, thanks to readings from a soil-moisture sensor. As a result, her young trees didn’t get watered again until June.These days, water conservation agencies and University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisors are advocating adding soil-moisture sensors to create precision irrigation management in drought-prone California agricultural areas.

They say the technology has come a long way in the past 50 years and continues to evolve with Wi-Fi connectivity and digital readings.Tate obtained her soil-moisture sensor through a grant from the Ventura County Resource Conservation District, which received state funding to make the technology available for regional avocado, strawberry and vegetable growers.

The value of a soil sensor is twofold, according to Jamie Whiteford, a conservation scientist who manages grants for the Ventura district. It can prevent overwatering of tree crops or indicate that the root zone is drying up and in need of irrigation to avoid stressing the tree.The local moisture-sensor giveaway is in its sixth year.

Tate was one of some 10 growers to accept the offer this year. Even though the sensor didn’t cost her a dime, she said the equipment in the $1,000-$1,500 range would definitely have been worth the cost.“It paid for itself that first day,” she said.

Ventura County avocado farmer Lisa Tate uses a cellphone app to check on soil conditions. The Ventura County Resource Conservation District has provided state grant money to help local avocado, strawberry and vegetable growers install soil-moisture sensors to aid in irrigation decisions. Photo by Rob McCarthy.

She now plans to purchase several more soil-moisture sensors, manufactured by Irrometer, a Riverside soil water management firm. She will have them installed around her property.

The early models of soil sensors designed for commercial agricultural use were made from wood and metal pins. They picked up electrical waves emitting from any water held in a plant’s root zone. Nowadays, ground probes are made of durable plastic material and operate digitally, taking readings that convert into numbers displayed on a screen.

The soil probes are inserted into the root zone to measure either the volume of water held in the soil or what’s known as the tension. In the latter, the sensor is called a tensiometer. This is the type of sensor the Resource Conservation District gave away earlier this year.

A tensiometer is particularly good in changing weather conditions, said Andre Biscaro, a UCCE irrigation and water resources advisor in Ventura County. He said the devices can record and display soil data electronically and indicate trends that an irrigation manager needs to know on a real-time basis.

“Those include rising or falling soil moisture between irrigation events and how quickly they change,” Biscaro told avocado growers in a presentation last month.

Historically, Tate’s orchard crews would start irrigating the mature avocado trees near the end of April. But this year, the property received more than 21 inches of rainfall between February and April, according to Ventura County rainfall totals. Storms moved in frequently and kept the ground wet much later than normal.

“In the past, we would base our irrigation scheduling on an every-two-week schedule,” Tate said. “We would adjust it during rain, but for the most, part we kept to the schedule.”

The ranch normally makes occasional tweaks for winter and spring rainfall, she said. Now, she and her crews rely on the readings from the irrigation aid to avoid needlessly applying water to trees that don’t need it.

“This tool has been great because we get digital reports that show how much water is being held at the different depths of the soil,” she said. “It has shown me and our crew that we have been overwatering.”

Soil-moisture sensors are deployed in a Ventura County vegetable field. Researchers and farmers say the technology can help prevent overwatering and inform growers when roots are drying up, delivering savings on water use and cost. Photo by University of California Cooperative Extension.

Manufacturers of the digital sensors emphasize the cost savings on water. Wireless moisture sensors can be connected to one another in a field or orchard and relay data back to an office or a mobile device. The sensors, which run on solar-powered batteries, report data in real time. They don’t have to be checked manually, though Tate makes it a practice periodically to dig into the soil just to be sure it’s wet enough.

Yields and healthy trees are reliant on good irrigation management. Ben Faber, UCCE avocado and subtropical crops advisor in Ventura County, calls that “learning when to turn on the water and when to turn it off.”

Conservation scientist Whiteford said overwatering, other than when a small amount of extra water is applied to flush salt buildup in the soil, represents money wasted. When trees and row crops are overwatered, he noted, costly fertilizer inputs don’t stay in the root zone long enough to be taken up. “They’re all connected,” he said.

Another device that researchers say has worked well in irrigation-management programs is called an atmometer. The device, typically mounted on posts near irrigated fields of low-lying crops, measures the amount of evaporation taking place on farmland. An atmometer is a low-cost alternative to an on-site weather station.

According to a UC Agriculture and Nature Resources report, use of soil-moisture sensors in guiding irrigation decisions can result in improved yields by 9% for strawberries and 10% for celery, depending on a grower’s practices. The report said using sensors can produce water savings of 10% to 16% for strawberries and almonds.

In Ventura County, avocado grower Tate is now bracing for drier conditions as California’s climate has moved from a wetter El Niño weather pattern to a La Niña pattern, which the National Weather Service announced in June. That means growers and irrigation districts can expect warm temperatures and less rain.

Tate said her replanted blocks of avocados with soil sensors will be ready when rains return.

“The tricky part is knowing when to begin irrigating after rain,” she said. “The Irrometer (sensor) is useful in guiding that decision.”

Article written by Rob McCarthy

Rob McCarthy is a reporter in Ventura County for the California Farm Bureau Federation.

*The California Farm Bureau has provided expressed permission to share this article. The original article can be viewed online here.

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UF drone camp steers 4-H teens toward future careers

Doug Ohlemeier — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 10:00:11 +0000

Florida high school students are learning how to master drone use in agriculture and other industries.

While many of his high school classmates relished the lackadaisical days of summer break, Putnam County resident Liam Sayler memorized Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and the basics of aerodynamics.

But Liam’s tenacity ultimately paid off when he passed an FAA exam, certifying he is qualified to fly a drone.

Liam is one of eight Florida 4-H members who took a drone camp offered by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Putnam County last month.

Some camp participants plan to apply their new skills toward aerial photography jobs in the agriculture, real estate and construction sectors. One of the teens considers the certificate a stepping stone to securing a pilot’s license. Another desires to use drone photography as a firefighter.

Lance Dollar, in orange shirt, demonstrates takeoff and landing maneuvers for students and for Joseph “Stacy” Strickland, an agriculture agent for UF/IFAS Extension Osceola County, far right. Photo by Megan Winslow, UF/IFAS

“I am so proud of these students,” said Wendy Mussoline, director of UF/IFAS Extension Putnam County. “They dedicated a week of their summer to commit to an intensive academic drone training program and obtained their licenses. I believe this experience can truly enhance their future career endeavors.”

A team of UF/IFAS employees taught the class, including Matthew Smith, a commercial crops and food systems agent for UF/IFAS Extension Lake and Orange counties and Joseph “Stacy” Strickland, an agriculture agent for UF/IFAS Extension Osceola County.

The four instructors are certified drone pilots. For the past six years, they have provided drone training for UF/IFAS employees and for state agencies.

The only skills separating the UF/IFAS drone curriculum from that taught to future airplane pilots is fuel management and night flight, said Strickland, a certified airplane pilot.

“This is a job skill,” he said. “These students can go out today with a drone license and start working — and for really good money too. We’ve had students who, after school, would fly a drone and make hundreds of dollars in an afternoon.”

One 4-H member from a past camp applied the money he made as a real estate drone photographer toward paying for his flight hours to become an airplane pilot.

This year, camp instructors arranged for a young entrepreneur to share his expertise.

Lance Dollar, a 2024 graduate of Florahome high school, launched a business using drones to take photographs and videos of agricultural operations, sporting events and property advertised for sale.

Dollar allowed the campers to use his drones, and they practiced take-offs, landings and following square perimeters created by pool noodles. Later, they broke off into two groups; one used the drones to snap aerial photos of the Extension office building as if marketing the property for sale, and the other photographed two adjacent Putnam County Fairgrounds buildings from the sky as if conducting roof inspections.

The Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District sponsored this year’s camp, supplying $5,500 so students only paid $25 for services valued at $450: The week-long course, lunches, a ride to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the exam campers took on the university’s Daytona campus.

While the next drone camp has yet to be scheduled, Mussoline hopes additional funding will make it possible for more young people to master drone flight and potentially apply their skills to future careers.

— Megan Winslow, UF/IFAS communications

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Drone franchise introduced by SweetWater Technologies

Debbie Eisele — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 08:34:49 +0000

SweetWater Technologies aims to revolutionize farming practices through advanced drone technology, and has introduced its first group of independently-owned and operated franchises.

The new franchise partners include Bill Pirkl in Byron, Minnesota; Nathan Janz in Tonica, Illinois; Grant Bell in Sullivan, Indiana; Skyler Stahl in Brownstown, Indiana; and Cameron Woodring in Spring Mills, Pennsylvania.

“Through this innovative approach that offers turn-key systems and business support, our franchise owners can more efficiently and effectively provide farm clients the benefits of drone technology,” said Chad Gripp, CEO at SweetWater Technologies.

The company’s drones offer precise spraying, spot treatments, and accurate applications during critical growing periods, addressing challenges posed by weather and terrain. This technology reduces fuel consumption and emissions, increasing efficiency and yields while avoiding traditional application delays.

For more information about SweetWater Technologies and its franchise partners, visit sweetwatertechnologies.com.

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Modified Atmosphere Packaging helps growers, packers

Doug Ohlemeier — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 18:00:10 +0000

Growers and packers can benefit from Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) technology. The tech aids with bulk packaging, supply chain efficiencies and product quality.

In a recent press release from Masterpack Group USA, the company explained that this advanced packaging method, suitable for flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC), big bags, super sacks and tote bins, is increasingly being adopted to improve storage and transportation.

MAP technology also can extend the shelf life of various products, including food, dairy, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, by protecting them from oxygen and moisture the press release detailed.

The technology utilizes liners that safeguard products from oxygen, moisture and insect contamination without the use of chemicals or pesticides.

“A modified atmosphere is created by adjusting oxygen levels to <1% and then gas flushing with either N2 or CO2 levels within the packaging to the desired value. Nothing is added to the product, keeping it safe and fresh,” Masterpack Group noted in its press release.

Masterpack Group noted advantages of FIBC Modified Atmosphere Packaging include eliminating the need for chemicals or toxic gases for fumigation, enhancing product quality and safety and removing the necessity for cold storage. MAP technology supports both short- and long-term storage, enabling producers to extend their production and processing schedules, the company detailed in its press release.

“With our MAP technology it is also very easy to conduct unitrusive manual or automatic sampling and data collection of the atmosphere inside of the material packaged inside of the MAP-FIBC, giving fully documented chain of custody data,” the company stated.

Overall, Masterpack Group shared that its packaging solution improves the efficiency and safety of bulk packaging in the nut industry but it also reduces overall product waste.

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Plant science researcher Boyce Thompson Institute to mark 100th birthday

Doug Ohlemeier — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 10:00:56 +0000

The Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI), a Cornell-affiliated organization that promotes plant science research, is celebrating its 100th birthday through a symposium.

Growers and industry individuals can participate virtually.

The BTI’s 2024 Centennial Symposium is scheduled for Aug. 8-9 at its Ithaca, New York, headquarters.

The special two-day event promises to be an enriching experience filled with insightful talks, engaging discussions, and opportunities to connect, according to a news release.

“Our Institute only turns 100 once, and we would be honored to have you join us for this special occasion, either in-person or virtually,” according to the release.

Speakers include:

Alexa Schmitz, co-founder & CEO of REEgen, a startup that uses bacteria to extract rare earth elements (REEs) from low-grade sources at low temperature and pressure.

Daniel Voytas, professor at the University of Minnesota

Eddie Watkins, professor of Biology at Colgate University

Career panel speakers:

Eddie Watkins, professor of biology at Colgate University

Julian Avila Pacheco, research scientist at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT

Mariko Matsuda Alexander, editorial manager at Bio-Rad Laboratories

Daniel Evanich, development scientist at New England Biolabs

Rebecca Povilus, USDA geneticist and vegetable germplasm curator

Founded in 1924, the Ithaca, New York, institute is an independent nonprofit research institute affiliated with Cornell University that promotes plant science research to advance discoveries in plant sciences to develop sustainable and resilient agriculture, food insecurity and improve human health.

Report: autonomous machines could revolutionize ag

Doug Ohlemeier — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 19:00:32 +0000

Through improving productivity and precision and operational efficiencies, autonomous machines are set to transform crop farming, according to a new report by RaboBank’s RaboResearch.

Despite the potential, adoption of the technology faces hurdles due to safety regulations, with companies needing to prove the safety of designs before widespread implementation.

Improving productivity and sustainability

The report highlights that technological advancements and digitalization, rather than simply scaling up machine size and horsepower, are crucial for farming productivity. Automation allows for faster, more precise operations with reduced resource consumption, such as water, fertilizers, crop protection and energy.

This shift not only boosts operational efficiency, but also enhances sustainability. Autonomous machines, which can operate without human operators or on-site supervisors, are expected to alleviate labor shortages and improve working conditions on farms.

“Many farmers currently use autosteering systems, but this is only the first step toward autonomous machines,” said Doriana Milenkova, farm inputs analyst for RaboResearch in a press release. “These machines must be capable of stand-alone diagnosis, decision-making, or task performance in changing environments, without a human operator or on-site supervisor.”

Challenges and market adoption

Despite the benefits, widespread adoption of autonomous machines will not happen overnight. Farmers need measurable evidence of the advantages.

“Autonomous machines must outperform their conventional counterparts in tasks such as tilling, sowing, plant treatment, and crop harvesting to justify the investment,” stated Milenkova. “Building understanding and market acceptance among potential users will take time.”

Safety regulations and integration

The path to commercializing autonomous machines is also shaped by the need for comprehensive industry standards and legal frameworks. The regulatory environment is a critical factor that companies must navigate. The fragmented AgTech market will likely see consolidation and collaboration as the industry matures, according to the report.

Industry evolution

Despite 25 years of development, the ag robot industry is still in its infancy.

“The number of companies is still growing, and the playing field is very diverse,” Milenkova stated in the report. “The industry will inevitably consolidate once the market matures.”

For further information, download the full report.

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Taranis launches agronomic engine Ag Assistant

Debbie Eisele — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 13:18:33 +0000

Taranis, a crop intelligence provider, has introduced Ag Assistant, an AI-powered agronomic engine designed to assist crop input and farm management decision-making.

This tool uses multimodal AI to enhance the speed and accuracy of addressing in-season agricultural threats.

“Ag Assistant is the result of extensive data collection and analysis,” said Jason Minton, chief commercial officer for Taranis. “Our AI model, trained on over 500 million leaf-level data points, will improve the quality of service agronomists provide to growers.”

The system integrates data from various sources, including weather maps, machinery data, university research and peer-reviewed studies. Ag Assistant cross-references this information to identify threats in a grower’s field and offers targeted recommendations.

“Ag Assistant streamlines precision farming, allowing for efficient and accurate responses to threats, ultimately improving profitability for growers,” said Opher Flohr, CEO for Taranis.

Ag Assistant was designed to deliver detailed reports to the Taranis platform, alerting both agronomists and growers to management opportunities in hours rather than days. This advancement may help with agricultural retail services and may provide insights for future crop management decisions.

For more information, visit taranis.com.

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New Hampshire awarded $10 million for climate resilient agriculture

Doug Ohlemeier — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 18:00:53 +0000

The University of New Hampshire (UNH) has been awarded $10 million for climate resilient agriculture studies.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded the funds for the institution to develop more sustainable ways to implement climate-smart agriculture (CSA) strategies.

The CSA strategies work to expand farming and food production while enhancing economic opportunities, providing important ecosystem services like clean water and air and creating healthy communities in New England, according to a news release.

“Approximately 75% of New England is made up of forests which can be challenging when trying to expand farming opportunities to meet the growing need for more sustainable ways to produce locally grown food,” Heidi Asbjornsen, a UNH professor of natural resources and the environment and principal investigator for the project said in the release. “But those forests also need to be preserved because they are a globally important carbon sink that absorbs and stores about 4.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide each year. We’re looking to develop ways to expand agriculture opportunities while also preserving that carbon storage which is crucial when addressing climate change.”

The five-year project, Promoting Climate-Smart Sustainable Agriculture in New England through Regionally Adapted Agroforestry Systems, is known as ADAPT. It will study agroforestry — the practice of integrating crop and animal farming in forested areas — to blend the two farming strategies into one united solution that reduces impacts on ecosystems and balances sustainable agriculture with climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience.

ADAPT will focus on three types of agroforestry suitable for the New England landscape:

Silvopastures, which combines trees, pastures and livestock on the same land to provide multiple goods and services.

Polycultures, which refer to systems that integrate trees and shrubs with diverse non-woody plant species to promote interactions that can increase productivity and resilience in urban food-forests and home gardens. Examples include alley cropping, windbreaks and buffers along waterways that can protect nearby rivers, streams and wetlands.

Forest farming systems, where intermediate-to high-shade tolerant crops are cultivated beneath a forest canopy so landowners can harvest timber as well as non-timber products, including medicinal plants, tree syrups, mushrooms and other wild edible and floriculture crops.

In the long term, researchers anticipate the project will contribute to increasing local food production in New England by 15% and annual carbon sequestration by five million tons, will foster new agroforestry market opportunities; and will enhance New England’s capacity to balance food production with the benefits that forests provide, according to the release.

“Other regions in the country have done similar research on agroforestry but there really hasn’t been a lot of related research here in New England which makes it challenging to make informed decisions,” Asbjornsen said in the release. “One of our goals with this project is to establish a center for agroforestry research, education, and extension, which would also offer a training program in agroforestry for landowners, producers, managers, educators and other decision makers focused on adapting agroforestry practices to the New England landscape.”

UNH will partner with Dartmouth College and Yale University to bring a range of complementary resources and expertise. The three-prong approach is to co-develop, implement and evaluate climate resilient agroforestry systems. UNH’s Cooperative Extension forestry and agricultural teams will provide training and technical support in agroforestry practices across diverse populations. Researchers will provide education to enhance knowledge of agroforestry as a climate-smart strategy to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, increase market opportunities and enhance regionally appropriate climate adaptation and resilience, according to the release.

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