Silvopasture: How Adding Trees to Livestock Systems Benefits Farmers

Photo courtesy of RonaldPlett

This month, we’re focusing on Silvopasture—a conservation practice that provides shade for livestock and creates additional income opportunities for farmers.

Silvopasture is an agroforestry practice that involves integrating trees into lands grazed by livestock. 

Benefits of Silvopasture: 

• Improved soil health 

• Protection from storms and extreme weather 

• Increased shade for livestock 

• Improved forage for livestock 

• Increased carbon sequestration 

• Additional income streams for farmers 

• Reduced soil erosion 

Additionally, the shade created by silvopasture systems helps to keep soil temperatures at optimal levels for microbial activity. According to Paul Pendergast, Asekia’s Chief Agronomist in Florida, healthy soil also leads to higher-quality forage that provides essential nutrients to livestock, he adds. 

Choosing Trees: Advice from Paul 

When selecting which tree species to plant, it’s important to consider local conditions and choose species that are well-adapted to the local environment. Incorporating native trees such as oaks into silvopasture systems creates more habitat for wildlife, supporting local ecosystems. Oak trees, for example, are long-lived and support a wide variety of plants and animals, including hundreds of caterpillar species. Healthy insect populations also support healthy bird populations. 

Native trees are generally larger than fruit trees and provide more shade, but fruit trees can also be an excellent choice for silvopasture systems. In Florida, fruit trees including mango, lychee, starfruit and avocado are popular choices. Fruit trees have the added benefit of creating additional income for farmers, providing products farmers can sell at local markets, and creating opportunities for customers to visit and pick their own fruit. Considering the specific climate zone is crucial when selecting which fruit trees to plant, Paul explains.

Hispanic Forest Landowners Spotlight: Finca La Torre Agrícola

At La Torre Agrícola, Leonel Torres is working to improve food security in Puerto Rico with a focus on cultivating breadfruit. In addition, the farm also uses sustainable methods to grow microgreens and edible flowers. 

Leonel’s journey to farming

Leonel, Chief Farmer Officer at Finca La Torre Agrícola, first got involved in agriculture in 2019, when he tried farming as a hobby, starting with soursop before moving to breadfruit. Today, farming has become his full-time project and Finca La Torre Agrícola has grown to become one of Puerto Rico’s biggest breadfruit producers, Leonel says. 

“Agriculture was a hobby for me…Later, I realized that agriculture is each country’s most important business,” Leonel says, adding that Puerto Rico imports approximately 85% of its food. 

Breadfruit tree in Puerto Rico

Challenges: Labor 

“One of the biggest challenges of being a farmer is labor,” Leonel says. “By regulation, farmworker wages are set lower than the regular minimum wage. We don’t apply this practice in our business because we know the importance of the work that we do.” 

“How are we going to pay less than the minimum wage to people who do the most important work?” he continued. 

Best part of the day ☕

Arriving at his farm around 5am each day is the best part of his day, Leonel says. “My second cup of coffee, I drink it here on the farm, walking through the breadfruit trees, feeling grateful and simply giving thanks. That part of the morning is very important to me. It gives me a lot of energy,” he says. 

Coming Soon

Throughout this month, we’ll be sharing breadfruit recipes and insights from an organic farmer in Costa Rica on our social media accounts. Follow along at the links below!