Reimagining rural prosperity through agroforestry
New Hampshire is one of the most forested states in the country — second only to Maine — with roughly 84% of its land covered in trees. For generations, this abundance has underpinned a timber-based economy.
Today, a new approach that broadens how we value forested landscapes is gaining traction. Agroforestry, the intentional integration of trees and shrubs into agricultural and working lands, is emerging as a strategic tool for rural prosperity, offering economic diversification, climate resilience and stronger local supply chains.
A new initiative from the University of New Hampshire highlights this potential. In 2024, UNH launched a five-year, USDA-funded project to study agroforestry systems suited to New England and to establish a regional center for education, outreach and technical assistance.
The project brings together researchers from UNH, Dartmouth College and Yale to evaluate models such as silvopasture, alley cropping, riparian buffers and forest farming — approaches that pair agricultural production with forest management to generate measurable economic and environmental benefits. By linking research with practical business opportunities and supporting producer adoption, the initiative positions New Hampshire as a testbed for climate-smart land use.
Agroforestry is more than casually mixing trees with crops. Practitioners describe it through the framework of the Four “I”s, a set of characteristics that distinguish true agroforestry from conventional farming or unmanaged woodlots.
A system must be intentional: with trees, crops and/or livestock deliberately planned and managed together to produce multiple forms of value, from timber and food to carbon storage and wildlife habitat.
It must be intensive: relying on active management such as pruning, thinning, fertilizing or controlled grazing to sustain both productivity and ecological function.
It must be integrated: with all components operating as a single unit — livestock forage beneath shade, annual crops grow between tree rows and root systems interact to build healthier soil.
Finally, it must be interactive: using natural processes like nutrient cycling, moisture retention and moderated microclimates to support higher yields and reduce input needs.
Together, these principles ensure agroforestry is not just a landscape aesthetic but a production strategy — one designed to improve profitability, strengthen ecological resilience and make land work in multiple ways at once.
Agroforestry presents tangible opportunities for New Hampshire. By pairing livestock with managed woodlots, cultivating high-value crops such as mushrooms and botanicals under forest canopies, or planting annual crops between rows of developing trees, producers can tap into revenue streams often out of reach for conventional farms. These diversified systems offer particular stability for small- and mid-sized operations, helping them weather price swings and crop failures. They also provide built-in climate resilience: Trees improve soil moisture, reduce drought stress, stabilize streambanks, shield crops from wind and store carbon in ways that may soon carry direct market value.
Beyond individual farms, agroforestry strengthens the wider rural economy by creating opportunities for value-added processing, generating demand for forestry services and equipment, supporting tourism linked to healthy landscapes and attracting climate-smart funding. UNH’s initiative aims to build the workforce and technical assistance needed to turn this potential into reality, positioning the state as a regional leader in climate-smart agriculture.
New Hampshire has long prided itself on its working lands, but rising climate pressures and shifting markets call for a fresh approach. Agroforestry provides the playbook, integrating trees with crops and livestock to create more resilient, productive and diversified landscapes.
The state’s abundant forest cover, small-scale farms and landowners committed to stewardship provide fertile ground for this evolution, and initiatives like UNH’s ADAPT project are turning potential into action. By strategically blending agriculture and forestry, agroforestry can unlock new markets, reduce risk for producers and strengthen rural communities, offering a model of prosperity that honors New Hampshire’s traditions while embracing innovation.
With intentional investment, technical support and collaborative partnerships, the Granite State can ensure its working lands continue to drive economic growth, climate resilience and long-term sustainability.
William Hastings, master of science, is a UNH food and agriculture field specialist based in Coös County.
