The objective is to establish exemplar agroforestry systems on 14 farms in Cornwall over a two year period running from 2022 to March 2025 using funding from Cornwall Council Forest for Cornwall department.

The project involves designing and costing agroforestry systems on the selected farms in Cornwall which reflect the different agricultural systems and objectives for each of the farms. These agroforestry plans are planned to deliver multiple gains and more sustainable farming systems  by providing additional crops, improved livestock systems, carbon storage, water infiltration systems and biodiversity gains.

The agroforestry systems can include both silvopasture systems eg for livestock shelter and /or forage, orchards and silvoarable systems with inter cropping with trees.

For each farm there are two elements to the project -an initial Phase 1 site visit understanding the farmers aspirations and then producing estimated costs and then a Phase 2 visit with final designs and costings.

As well as showing how agroforestry could work for their farm business the project will  help to inform the developing Forestry Commissions’ Agroforestry Policy which in turn will contribute to the delivery of the Government's tree planting ambitions, the 25 Year Environment Plan, Net Zero commitment and the Tree Action Plan.