Since October 2024, Leila and Matt have been  looking at the ecological, production, and economic impacts of understory management in silvoarable systems. They are currently looking for partnerships to experimentally test growing horticultural crops in the tree row understories. This work is funded by the FoodBioSystems DTP Programme and DEFRA.

To join, please contact Leila: l.nicholson [at] pgr.reading.ac.uk 

Starting summer 2025, Millie will be looking at the potential for silvoarable systems to provide wildlife corridors by sampling moths and bats in silvoarable systems and arable controls. She is currently looking for mature silvoarable farms to conduct this research. This work is funded by an Agri-food Rising Star Fellowship at the University of Reading.

To join, please contact Millie: a.s.hood [at] reading.ac.uk

Rosy and Chryssa are investigating the impact of silvoarable agroforesty on soil health compared to arable and orchard monocultures. Preliminary results show that silvoarable farming does improve soil health, including earthworm abundance, which is important for climate resilience. This work is funded by the FoodBioSystems DTP Programme.

Millie conducted a fellowship in 2023 with the Future of UK Treescapes programme. With 156 agroforestry stakeholders across the UK, she co-designed a research agenda for UK agroforestry.  She also interviewed farmers to identify educational barriers and opportunities for agroforestry uptake. This was funded by DEFRA.