Attention Hay Producers:

What if your hay fields could work harder for you?

That’s the promise of hay alley cropping: producing reliable forage while building healthier soils, reducing erosion, and creating new revenue opportunities.

By planting rows of trees within hay fields, farmers can capture the benefits of agroforestry without losing their core production. Over time, these systems:

• Improve soil fertility and organic matter
• Provide shade and shelter for crops and livestock
• Support biodiversity and pollinator habitat
• Open the door to additional harvests like timber, fruit, or nuts

Join Us Online – October 1st, 11:00–12:30 PM (EST)

This free webinar will explore how alley cropping can strengthen hay production systems in Vermont and beyond.

In this session, you’ll learn:

• How to integrate alley cropping into hay production
• Real-world advice from researchers, practitioners, and experts in the field
• How USDA conservation programs (like CSP) can support adoption
• Where to find local support – technical assistance, resources, and guidance from BCCD.

Register Today

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Meet the Presenters

We’re bringing together local conservation leadership and national agroforestry expertise:

Michael Fernandez – District Manager, Bennington County Conservation District

CJ Buzzy – Senior Project Manager, Propagate

Harrison Greene – Chief Research Officer, Propagate

Together, we'll learn the hands-on steps to make alley cropping work here in Bennington County and across Vermont.