Seeking Milwaukee Site for Urban Agroforestry Demonstration 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 Foundation and Caerus Foundation.

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 Nolan Burkard, MFAI Research Technician and Agroforestry Project Lead.

So far, MFAI staff and project partners 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 thanks to Plantra for donating tree protection materials and to our incredible project partners- The Savanna Institute and UW-Madison Division of Extension’s Milwaukee County Urban Agriculture Program. This project was made possible thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the Daybreak Foundation and Caerus Fund.

Now, we’re looking for our 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,” says Burkhard. “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.