honest. And that is something to celebrate.
When people are invited to participate, whether planting trees, learning together, cooking food, harvesting abundance, or simply showing up— they stop being observers. They step into relationship. They become part of the mission in action.
Partnerships That Reflect Permaculture Values
At Silvoculture, we develop aligned and strategic alliances through connection, collaboration, and trust. Some alliances are obvious, others may seem out-of-the-box. Sometimes the bridge isn’ t immediately visible. But we stay curious. We listen and look for alignment. We collaborate with farmers who participate in the Catalyzing Agroforestry Grant Program and The REED Center, which is transforming conventional agricultural land into regenerative food systems. These partnerships reflect a shared commitment to land stewardship and regenerative agriculture.
SilvoCulture’ s newest project, funded by the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund, will establish 24.75 acres of diverse food forests in 2026, integrating perennial food systems into strategies that reduce non-point source pollution and advance broader water quality goals.
This work also contributes to statewide tree-planting goals by offering food forest agroforestry as a practical option for landowners and farmers, while at the same time, connecting them to a network of harvesters, processors, educators, and markets needed for success. This collaboration helps bridge the gap between trees in the ground and food on the table. A partnership with On Our Own of Frederick offers a unique collaborative opportunity. On Our Own is a peer-led recovery and wellness center that supports individuals in healing, reconnecting, and finding their own way forward. By planting food forests together and providing volunteer stipends, we are connecting people to nature, wellness, food, community, and even to potential career opportunities.
Together, these collaborations create new pathways for people, advance conservation goals, and mutually further organizational missions.
From Trees to Market
The restoration of nut-based agroforestry is part of a broader return to working with nature as a source of long-term abundance. Before the chestnut blight of the early 1900s, the American chestnut was a keystone of Eastern forests, providing reliable food for both people and wildlife. Reintroducing chestnuts today is not just about restoring a species— it’ s about redesigning our landscapes to produce food in ways that are resilient, low-input, and aligned with natural systems. Through improved cultivars and renewed interest in agroforestry, chestnuts are re-emerging as a perennial staple that builds soil, supports biodiversity, and helps regenerate regional food economies over time.
And planting trees is only step one. This emerging industry is not separate from the rest of our lives.
It needs the same skills every other industry relies on— planning, marketing, logistics, innovation, education, design, finance, storytelling, leadership, and more.
For many people, this work offers something rare: the chance to bring the skills they already have into service of earth care and food security issues.
An Invitation Rooted in Hope
So— eat local nuts. Share recipes. Invite neighbors. Think outside the box. Co-create an abundant local nut market through the lens of permaculture with us. And most importantly, seek to collaborate.
You don’ t need land to belong here. The future of food touches everyone. If you feel called to participate— whether by planting, partnering, or simply tasting what’ s possible— there is a place for you. We’ ll save you a seat at the table. And yes, there will be chestnuts.
Lisa Baird has built her career in the nonprofit sector, leading environmental initiatives rooted in collaboration and community. After serving in the Chesapeake Conservation Corps, she worked on Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts, where she saw firsthand how many people, perspectives, and priorities shape conservation work and how collaboration helps large, complex systems truly heal. She now focuses on tree-planting for agroforestry and serves as Executive Director of SilvoCulture.
SilvoCulture is recruiting landowners who are interested in planting food forests, multi-functional forest buffers, and other agroforestry projects in the mid-Atlantic region. To get involved, visit https:// www. silvoculture. org / contact.
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