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Bring Plants to Swap at the Perennial Farm Gathering
In Iowa, where we are hosting our 2026 Perennial Farm Gathering, March is plant swapping season. We invite you to connect through the old tradition of trading plants, sharing stories, and building connections at PFG2026 March 11th-13th in Dubuque, Iowa. When you are digging up root stock this fall, consider saving 12 copies — clean and well-stored — to swap in March.
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ADD-ON
PFG2026 Chestnut Workshop
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
9:30am-5pm
An add-on workshop co-hosted by Red Fern Farm, Savanna Institute, and Canopy Farm Management. Experts will present on a variety of topics including site selection, establishment, tree management, variety recommendations, harvesting, and marketing for chestnuts. There will be time for asking questions and networking. Lunch and snacks (chestnuts!) provided.
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PROGRAM
Speaking at the PFG
Those interested in submitting abstracts for 20-minute Research Talks about independent, on-farm, or academic research projects can learn more and submit here. All submissions should be related to agroforestry and/or perennial agriculture systems. Deadline Extended: December 10 @ 5pm Central Time
Nutshell Talks are brief, 5-minute talks to share your work or story alongside participants at the PFG. You can sign up for a Nutshell Talk now until spots fill up — we recommend reserving a spot in advance. Learn more and sign up here.
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Calling All Tree Crop Nurseries!
The Agroforestry Coalition is creating a national directory of nurseries that grow and share trees and plant materials for agroforestry and regenerative farming. If you grow trees, shrubs, or perennial plants — for sale or community use — and care about building a resilient tree-based future, we want to include you!
Complete your entry by Dec 31, 2025 so your nursery is featured in the January 2026 public launch, right when people start planning spring trees.
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An agroforestry podcast and blog by the Savanna Institute |
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“Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away” – Annie Duke Book Review with Erin Crooks Lynch
Jacob Grace, host of the Perennial AF podcast, likes to start off interviews with the question “what’s something you’ve been nerding out about lately?” In this episode, Jacob talks with his fellow Savanna Institute staff member Erin Crooks Lynch about a book he’s been nerding out about lately called Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away by a behavioral economist and professional poker player named Annie Duke. How does the book relate to perennial agriculture? “I think it relates to everything,” Jacob says.
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Iowa Farmer Wendy Johnson Announced as Keynote Speaker for 2026 Perennial Farm Gathering
Iowa farmer Wendy Johnson will provide a presentation at the next Perennial Farm Gathering, which will be held at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa from March 11th-13th, 2026. Johnson grew up on a farm in northeast Iowa during the farm crisis of the 1980s, and returned to the farm in 2010 after pursuing an off-farm career. In addition to co-managing her family’s farm, she and her husband now own and operate Jóia Food & Fiber Farm, where they raise sheep, cattle, pigs and poultry, organic grains, and agroforestry crops. Johnson will deliver a keynote titled “Farming with Agroforestry as a Teacher.”
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Are chestnuts right for your farm?
Low pest pressures, dependable high yields, strong markets, and ease of maintenance make chestnuts an attractive tree crop. But will they thrive on your land? Canopy Compass is a web-based tool that allows you to map your farm to see if chestnuts (and other tree crops) are suitable for your soil and climate. |
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FROM PARTNERS |
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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.
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