MERCH SALE

For the Month of October only!

Do you like our perennial crop t-shirts and want your own? Our online merch sale is live! Take a look at our hats, t-shirts, water bottles and more on our website. This is our only online sale this year and your last chance to get merch before the Perennial Farm Gathering.

Everything $25, plus $12 shipping.

Stockbroker to Black Currant Breeder: The Dick McGinnis Story with Lily Hislop

Dick McGinnis, a black currant breeder based in British Columbia, began his career as a stockbroker before devoting many years to developing cold-hardy, blight-resistant black currant varieties. The Savanna Institute acquired Dick McGinnis’s breeding program in 2022. In our latest podcast episode, Savanna Institute researcher Lily Hislop explains what’s next for the “McGinnis cultivars,” and we’ll hear from Dick McGinnis himself, who recorded a webinar with our staff last year.

“Doing the Work You Can’t Not Do” with Sallie Calhoun

In this episode of our Perennial AF podcast, we travel west to hear a conversation between Jenn Ripp, Agroforestry Advisor with the Savanna Institute, and Sallie Calhoun, owner of Paicines Ranch, a 7600-acre ranch on California’s central coast. Sallie is the founder of the #NoRegrets Initiative, and works as an impact investor, activist, and philanthropic funder in regenerative agriculture.

NOW TAKING ORDERS

Asian Pears, Peaches, Heartnuts, Elderberries, Honeyberries, Gooseberries, Serviceberries, Jostaberries, Bush Cherries, Grafted and Seedling Persimmons, Willow Cuttings and Tree Protection Supplies.

Nominations for 2026 Deep Roots Award and New Shoots Award Are Open
We're seeking nominations for the 2026 Deep Roots Award and for the 2026 New Shoots Award, which will be presented at the Perennial Farm Gathering in March 2026. These awards are our way to recognize the accomplishments of, and express our deep appreciation for, those who have worked to advance the science, practice, and adoption of agroforestry. Deadline extended: Thursday, October 30. Submit here.

PFG2026 Call for Abstracts and Speakers

Our organizing committee is seeking abstracts for short research talks and speakers for our general sessions at our March 2026 Perennial Farm Gathering.

• Short talks: Those interested in submitting abstracts for 20-minute research talks about independent, on-farm, or academic research projects can learn more and submit here.

• Full sessions & panels: For those interested in leading a longer general session or speaking as a panelist, you can find more information here to submit.

All submissions should be related to agroforestry and/or perennial agriculture systems. Deadline: Monday, November 24 @ 5pm Central Time.

FROM PARTNERS

U.S. Chestnut Growers Needed for Research Survey

This 10-20 minute survey covers chestnut growers’ motivations, establishment practices, and

expectations and is part of ongoing research at the University of Missouri. Eligible participants include:

1. Have over one (1) acre of chestnuts planted

2. Have been growing for over one (1) year

3. Currently or intending to sell chestnuts

Wardropper Research Group Opportunity

Major Advisor: Dr. Chloe Wardropper, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Applications are being accepted for a Master’s-level graduate research assistant position on a project led by the Savanna Institute titled “Corn Belt Windbreaks: From Dust Bowl Relic to Climate-Smart Solution.” Ideal start date is August 2026.