Savanna Institute

Perennial AF

Science EN ↓ 82 episodes

The Savanna Institute's podcast and blog about perennial agroforestry (AF) features interviews, questions from listeners, inside jokes, and more. Subscribe to Perennial AF to hear real AF conversations with some of the Midwest's top agroforesters and perennial farmers! More at https://www.savannainstitute.org/perennialAF

Author

Savanna Institute

Category

Science

Podcast website

www.learnagroforestry.com

Latest episode

Jun 2, 2026

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Episodes

The R(evolution) of Indigenous Foodways with Chef Sean Sherman - PFG 2024 15.12.2024

Chef Sean Sherman delivers the keynote address at the 2024 Perennial Farm Gathering in October 2024. Show notes at www.savannainstitute.org/PerennialAF

Why Trees Die (and what we can do to help them!) with Steve Gabriel - PFG 2024 01.12.2024

Agroforester Steve Gabriel leads the audience in a conversation about why agroforestry plantings fail and what we can do to help projects succeed in this recorded session at the 2024 Perennial Farm Gathering. Link to Steve’s resources: https://www.farmingwithtrees.org/projects/whytreesdie Show notes at www.savannainstitute.org/PerennialAF  

Ag Policy and the Farm Bill with Chuck Anderas and Margaret Krome 15.09.2024

Chuck Anderas and Margaret Krome from the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute's policy team discuss the need for a new Farm Bill, the importance of ag policy in expanding perennial agriculture, and what types of engagement can have the greatest impact on policymakers.

“We’re In the Belly of the Beast” - Illinois Agroforestry Farm Tour with Kaitie Adams 01.09.2024

A tour of 4H Memorial Demonstration Farm at Allerton Park in central Illinois with Demonstration Farms Director Kaitie Adams and Savanna Institute staff. This farm features windbreaks and alley cropping with timber species planted into a row crop field, and relies on a number of innovative partnerships with landowners and farmer collaborators. You can see a video tour of the farm at https://youtu....

Spring Green Campus Tour with Farm Director Erik Hagan 15.08.2024

This episode takes you on an audio tour of the Savanna Institute's North Farm, part of our Spring Green Campus in southern Wisconsin. Hear farm director Erik Hagan talk about chestnuts, hazelnuts, silvopasture with sheep, and more! Show notes at www.savannainstitute.org/PerennialAF

"Forest Farming Is A Gateway" with Dr. Eric Burkhart 01.08.2024

A recording of Dr. Eric Burkhart's forest farming workshop at the Savanna Institute's Spring Green Campus. Learn more about forest stewardship and non-timber forest products like ginseng, wild edibles, and more!  Show notes at savannainstitute.org/PerennialAF

Northeast Agroforestry Road Trip Part II: Steve Gabriel, Eric Toensmeier, and Akiva Silver 15.07.2024

The road trip continues! We hear from agroforesters and authors Steve Gabriel, Eric Toensmeier, and Akiva Silver on a road trip to the northeast. Show notes at savannainstitute.org/PerennialAF

Northeast Agroforestry Road Trip Part I: Sven Pihl, Seva Water, and Joe Orefice 01.07.2024

Road trip! We hear from agroforesters Sven Pihl, Seva Water, and Joe Orefice on a road trip to the northeast. Show notes at savannainstitute.org/PerennialAF.

Canopy Compass: A New Tree Crop Suitability Mapping Tool - with Monika Shea and Kevin Wolz 15.06.2024

Monika Shea and Kevin Wolz, two of the researchers behind Canopy Compass, describe the history and the potential of this new web-based tree crop suitability mapping tool. You can access Canopy Compass at www.canopycompass.com

Persimmon Folklore, Fruit Exploring, and Genetics - with Eliza Greenman 01.06.2024

Savanna Institute researcher Eliza Greenman describes her search for the best-tasting American persimmon cultivars, which involves box turtles, pudding competitions, indigenous plant breeding, extinct megafauna, missing research scientists, and more. Recorded at the 2023 Perennial Farm Gathering. Show notes at www.savannainstitute.org/PerennialAF

"We Can't Call Them Superfruit" - Barriers to Berry Markets with Bill Davison & PJ Connolly 15.05.2024

Savanna Institute staff members Bill Davison and PJ Connolly describe their work to expand regional markets for four nutritionally-dense perennial berries: black currant, elderberry, aronia, and honeyberry. Show notes at www.savannainstitute.org/PerennialAF

Nightfall Farm, Riveredge Nature Center, Chestnut Research, and More 01.05.2024

A compilation of short interviews from our recent videos, featuring Nightfall Farm, Riveredge Nature Center, Scott Brainard & Eliza Greenman, Grassland 2.0 and Canopy Farm Management. Videos by Man Alone Media and Windborne Media. Videos and show notes at www.savannainstitute.org/perennialaf

“You Can’t Believe It Grows Here” - Project Pawpaw with Adam D’Angelo 15.04.2024

Adam D’Angelo, founder of Project Pawpaw, answers commonly asked questions about this elusive and beloved North American fruit. Project Pawpaw: https://www.projectpawpaw.com Show notes: https://www.savannainstitute.org/perennialaf/

A Thorny Topic: Black Locust and Honey Locust for Agroforestry 01.04.2024

A lot of people hate black locust and honey locust trees, but some people think they hold great potential for agroforestry. Greg Judy, Austin Unruh, Steve Gabriel, Brett Chedzoy, Eliza Greenman, and others share their perspective in this episode. Show notes:  https://www.savannainstitute.org/perennialaf/

“Spreadsheets on the Radio” - Farm Viability and the Fruit & Nut Compass with John Hendrickson 15.03.2024

Spreadsheet wizard John Hendrickson helps host Jacob Grace get started with the Fruit and Nut Compass, a free spreadsheet tool for producers to track the financial viability of their enterprises. Show notes at www.savannainstitute.org/PerennialAF Free compass tools at https://cias.wisc.edu/our-work/farming-systems/farm-viability/

Getting Started with Forest Farming - Ingrid Daudert, Karam Sheban, and Robin Suggs 01.03.2024

This episode features portions of the PFG 2023 panel discussion "Everything You Wanted to Know About Forest Farming (But Didn't Know to Ask)", featuring Ingrid Daudert from Misty Dawn Farm in Wisconsin, Karam Sheban from the Northeast Forest Farmers Coalition, and Robin Suggs from Appalachian Sustainable Development. Show notes and links at www.savannainstitute.org/perennialaf 

Agroforestry for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation - with Nate Lawrence and Monika Shea 15.02.2024

Savanna Institute research scientists Nate Lawrence and Monika Shea dig into the details of agroforestry for climate change mitigation (through reduced inputs and carbon sequestration) and climate adaptation (through better mapping and management, among other things). Show notes and links at www.savannainstitute.org/PerennialAF

“Joy Is What Emerges From Connection” - Q&A with Author Ross Gay 01.02.2024

Author and poet Ross Gay speaks with silvopasture farmer Liz Brownlee in a recorded keynote session from the 2023 Perennial Farm Gathering. Show notes at https://www.savannainstitute.org/PerennialAF/

“Grass Holds the World Together” - A Beginning Farmer Interviews Greg Judy 15.01.2024

This episode features a recorded phone interview between Missouri silvopasture farmer and author Greg Judy and Iowa State University student Jesse Matt, recorded in 2018 as part of a Savanna Institute outreach project. Show notes: www.savannainstitute.org/perennialaf 

Q&A With "Braiding Sweetgrass" Author Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer - PFG 2023 15.12.2023

Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer, ecologist and author of "Braiding Sweetgrass" and "Gathering Moss", answers questions from the audience of our 2023 Perennial Farm Gathering. Moderated by author and Leopold scholar Curt Meine. 

"You Should Consider Maple Syrup Production" - with Tony Johnson 01.12.2023

Wisconsin Extension forestry specialist Tony Johnson discusses how maple syrup production can open doors for other agroforestry enterprises, and how Wisconsin woodland owners can get started. Plus, Scott Brainard and Eliza Greenman describe the benefits of persimmons as an agroforestry crop.  Show notes at www.savannainstitute.org/perennialaf

Choosing the Right Livestock with Cherrie Nolden 15.11.2023

Goats, sheep, cattle, hogs, horses, and fowl all have different diets, behavior, and impacts on the land. Choosing the right type of livestock for you and your farm is key to success. Wisconsin farmer and researcher Cherrie Nolden discusses the strenghts, weaknesses, and needs of different types of livestock in this recording from the 2022 Perennial Farm Gathering.  Show notes: www.savannains...

"What Would It Look Like?" - Introduction to Agroforestry with the Field Notes Podcast 01.11.2023

Host Jacob Grace and Eric Wolske of Canopy Farm Management join Will Fulwider and Michael Geissinger, hosts of the Field Notes podcast from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, to answer questions that Wisconsin crop farmers might have about agroforestry.  Show notes at: https://www.savannainstitute.org/perennialaf Field Notes podcast: https://cropsandsoils.extension.wis...

"My Dad and I Are Both Stubborn..." Generational Dynamics with Jacob Marty 15.10.2023

Jacob Marty reflects on how his relationship with his father has shaped the dynamics on their sixth generation family farm in southern Wisconsin in this recording from the 2017 Perennial Farm Gathering.  Show notes at https://www.savannainstitute.org/perennial-af-generational-dynamics-with-jacob-marty/

Tree Crop Improvement Research with Scott Brainard 01.10.2023

Scott Brainard, a plant breeding specialist working for the Savanna Institute, gives an overview of the institute's goals and strategies for breeding more productive and resilient tree crop varieties.  Show notes at https://www.savannainstitute.org/perennialaf/

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