Vermont’s 4.465 million acres of forest cover around 73% of its territory. If we are to address the critical moment facing Vermont agriculture, sustainable agroforestry should be among the solutions considered and implemented. Done well, it can enhance Vermont’s working landscape, supporting farmers’ livelihoods, local economies, and our natural ecosystems. This short, medium, and long-term strategy can provide additional food, fiber, timber, carbon sequestration, water quality, habitat restoration, and increased livestock comfort and yields, but will need institutional support to provide farmers with sufficient capacity, expertise, and financing. Further, agroforestry can be part of an effective payment for ecosystem services system for Vermont’s agricultural working lands and economy.
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