Hi Erica, Emily,

I have been helping out with a grant funded project here in NE Massachusetts established pasture, planting all willow blocks (along renewed agriculture ditches) intended first for beef cattle fodder/enhanced insect and bird habitat/living fence around the waterways.  Sheep may also be involved at some point, but that's on hold probably at least through 2025 season.  This is part of a non-profit farm with an educational and production emphasis. We are in the very early phase, having just started in Dec. 2023 establishing 400 feet x 3 rows x 2 streambanks x 4 sites (4 species of native willow, 3 different planting methods), monitoring for success and impact.  We will be sharing out reports at the end of the 3 years (2026 spring), and also are learning as much as we can as we go.  I am helping to draft a management and fodder harvest plan--so I would also love to swap notes and discuss!

Thanks Jane! Really fascinating to learn what you've been working on, and I am very much looking forward to hearing your results. In addition to farming, I work part-time for the Cornell Small Farms Program and am always looking for stories about silvopasture that we can share in our Small Farm Quarterly magazine. Maybe this could become an article in 2026? In the meantime, I'll make a note to check in next Spring on how things are looking with your plantings. The scale you're implementing is much larger than what I'm trying on my farm!

We have been working on it for several years now. We have had a lot of trouble getting willows started. Seems like every Tom, Dick and Harry wants to eat them, pull them out of the ground etc.  I have one now under surveillance on my porch in a pot. We have about a dozen starters in a fenced area where deer willl not jump into. I advise a lot of protection for any planting project.