Maryland Forest Service natural resources planner Francis Smith is working to expand agroforestry across the state including in Southern Maryland where farmers and communities can integrate trees and shrubs into crop and livestock systems. The practice improves productivity resilience and long-term sustainability while creating new income opportunities.
Agroforestry involves the intentional integration of trees and shrubs into farming operations. Smith highlighted an edible and medicinal understory below forest canopies that benefits backyard gardeners beekeepers and traditional farmers. His recommended plant list for Maryland includes common elderberry beach plum black chokeberry serviceberry paw paw American hazelnut common persimmon wild American plum and high bush blueberry. Larger trees such as black walnut hickory chestnut and maple can also be incorporated along with woody florals like red osier and winterberry for craft products.
These systems support emerging markets through value-added goods such as specialty foods and distilled products. Communities are exploring food forests to increase access to fresh locally grown food in both rural and urban settings.
Smith who has worked in agroforestry for seven years noted growing interest in the practice. Much of the knowledge comes from Native American traditions of land stewardship. To me agroforestry is really just a scientific word for indigenous stewardship Smith said. Native Americans were the original stewards before stewardship was even a word.
A working example stands at White Marsh Park Edible Trail in Centreville. The experimental food forest features hazelnut persimmon American plum black chokeberry paw paw and high bush blueberry. All produce edible fruits or nuts available for free to park visitors. Now in its seventh season the site inspires culinary experimentation including student projects on hazelnut oils and chokeberry drinks.
Smith sees potential for native understory plants to provide supplemental income or farm marketing opportunities. Food forests could enhance large backyard gardens or serve as hands-on learning tools at schools.
The Maryland Forest Service partners with the Maryland Department of Agriculture to promote six key agroforestry practices on farms. These can also apply in gardens school grounds and public spaces.
Windbreaks use linear plantings of trees shrubs or grasses to protect soil crops and livestock while allowing periodic harvests of fruit and nut species. They provide wildlife habitat pollinator support and even mulch for blueberries.
Multifunctional riparian forest buffers plant trees and edible understory plants along waterways to filter pollutants reduce erosion and stabilize banks while offering harvest opportunities.
Alley cropping plants crops between rows of trees to maximize land use across multiple layers from herbs to shrubs to canopy trees.
Silvopasture integrates trees forage and livestock providing shade and additional fodder with rotational grazing protecting soil health.
Forest farming grows medicinal edible or decorative crops such as cohosh goldenseal ramps or wild ginger under existing forest canopies yielding large production in small spaces.
Food forests mimic natural forests on smaller scales with fruit or nut trees surrounded by shrubs herbs vines and root crops. These systems require less maintenance than traditional farming but still need management for weeds wildlife and water. Harvesting often involves hand picking yet Smith believes benefits outweigh challenges.
In Southern Maryland agroforestry holds strong potential for Charles Calvert and St. Mary’s counties where agriculture mixes with forests and waterways. Local farmers could use riparian buffers along the Patuxent River or Wicomico River to improve water quality while generating income from edible plants. School grounds and community spaces in Waldorf Leonardtown or Prince Frederick could host food forests to boost fresh food access and education.
The inaugural Mid-Atlantic Agroforestry Conference is scheduled for June in Pennsylvania focusing on forest farming and multifunctional buffers. It will share insights case studies and marketing approaches.
Smith said distribution of harvests remains a work in progress from pick-your-own gardens to food banks. He assists organizations seeking grants for edible trails.
Interested residents can contact local Soil Conservation Districts for guidance. Funding options include the Maryland Department of Agriculture Healthy Soils Competitive Fund and support from the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation for equipment.
Agroforestry represents an early-stage but growing movement in Maryland. It blends traditional knowledge with modern science to create multifunctional landscapes that benefit landowners communities and the environment across Southern Maryland and beyond.
