APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED to JULY 25! Seeking MKE Site for Urban Agroforestry Demo Project: $15,000 Site Partner Award

The Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) is seeking a new partner site in Milwaukee County to host a publicly visible, small-scale agroforestry demonstration as part of the Showcasing Agroforestry in SE Wisconsin initiative, supported by the Daybreak Fund and Caerus Foundation.

So far, MFAI staff and project partners Savanna Institute and UW Extension -Milwaukee County have planted over 400 trees and shrubs across three demonstration sites—two rural and one urban. Our partners include Marcus and Efueko Landry of Beulah Family Homestead (Elkhorn), Iris Lee of Lee Hemp Farm (Burlington), and Kohl Farm Community Gardens (North Milwaukee). A special thank you to Plantra, who generously donated tree protection materials (pictured right).

Now, we’re seeking a fourth site-

What We’re Looking For:

• A publicly accessible site (nonprofit campus, community space, schoolyard, or city park) with at least ¼ acre available for planting

• Ability to commit to ongoing care of the site and trees

• Interest in hosting community education and engagement activities

• Location in the Lake Michigan Watershed within Milwaukee County

• Commitment to agroforestry and community engagement

  
  

What MFAI Provides:

• Technical support and design guidance from MFAI and the Savanna Institute

• Project materials including trees, shrubs, and signage

• $15,000 award (for 2026) to support the work of maintaining the trees

• Inclusion in outreach events, videos, and educational programming

  
  

“This initiative reflects the power of agroforestry not only to regenerate ecosystems but also to serve communities,” said Nolan Burkard, MFAI Research Technician and Agroforestry Project Lead. “We are excited to expand our work into another Milwaukee site that’s ready to grow with us - literally and figuratively.”

Interested parties should an email of interest to nburkard@michaelfields.org with subject line “2025 Milwaukee Agroforestry Site.” Applications will be reviewed starting July 25, with a partner notified by mid-August.

This initiative is a multi-year effort to demonstrate how agroforestry—a land management approach that integrates trees, shrubs, and other perennial plants into crop and livestock systems—can improve water quality, soil health, and local climate resilience. Agroforestry practices like windbreaks, riparian buffers, silvopasture, and food forests not only enhance ecosystem services but also produce fruit, nuts, and other useful crops.

“Agroforestry practices not only financially benefit farmers- they also build stronger, healthier communities and ecosystems.  This project is a long-term investment in the future of a resilient Wisconsin," said Burkard.

One of the first three site hosts, Iris Lee of Lee Hemp Farms in Burlington, WI, said the project is "breathing life" into her family farm.

"We planted 114 trees and shrubs that are all edible with berries, nuts, and fruit! These living plants provide a buffer to aid in protecting our organic production fields, while providing an abundant source of food, " said Lee.

"I was most impressed with the design," said Lee, praising the volunteer work of Kata Young in advising the participants. "Kata's vision of agroforestry aligned with my thoughts of how nature comes to give us humans ALL we need continuously through cultivating our food!"

Both the farmer-participants and the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute planting team are deeply grateful to Kata for her volunteer expertise and assitance on-site with with tree installation.

Kata is a trained arborist and agroecologist who has deep experience implementing permaculture principles. She is works currently at Clean Wisconsin as the Natural Climate Solutions Manager.

Kata is pictured, right, during the planting day at Lee Hemp Farms in April 2025, with her partner Colin Cureton.