Financing Trees & Perennial Crops for Your Farm: An Agroforestry Primer

Authors: Zara Aspenson, Katrina Lang, and Jennifer Tran

September 2025

Agroforestry is the intentional integration of trees with crops and/or livestock to provide environmental, economic, and social benefits. Agroforestry systems offer producers a valuable opportunity to diversify their income while enhancing environmental and economic resilience. However, these systems come with unique challenges.

Establishing agroforestry requires upfront investment and long-term financial planning to be successful, and awareness of agroforestry-specific financing options is essential to getting started.

This Primer is designed for small and mid-sized farmers and landowners who are in the early stages of exploring financing options for agroforestry and perennial agriculture. Focused mainly on the Midwest, the Primer highlights key funding options, provides practical examples, and shares insights from experienced producers. 

The Primer was commissioned by Savanna Institute and developed by Croatan Institute.