#16 Feedback from 40 years of pecan intercropping with Dan Shepherd

One of the key questions we are trying to answer is 'in what contexts does agroforestry work, or doesn't'. Dan started intercropping grains between his pecans before he knew it was called agroforestry, because it made sense to him at the time. The first part of the interview focuses on the business strategy of the farm. Whilst providing many tips and fascinating info, you'll also understand the context in which the agroforestry system sets itself. You will be able to understand the details of how he created and managed his intercropping operation, and follow the system whilst it gains maturity. Dan expresses some of his concerns with intercropping in more recent times, and when asked if he would do it again, he provides a surprising answer. We hope you enjoy!

• TABLE OF CONTENTS

00:01:21 Introduction of farm and pecan agroforestry system

00:13:20 Business strategy behind diversifying farm production

00:25:10 Direct selling 300 acres worth of pecans

00:29:35 Creating a quality product

00:33:27 The importance of scale

00:45:15 Why start intercropping the pecan orchard?

00:53:05 Challenges with managing both the intercrop and the tree crop

00:57:00 Trendsetting instead of doing what everybody else is doing

01:00:25 Managing the intercrop strategy with an evolving orchard

01:08:45 Competition between intercrop and tree crop

01:17:05 Silvopasture challenges

01:19:45 Management of the tree row

01:24:10 Biggest mistakes

• RESOURCES

http://shepherdfarms.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDcBULb4WsE&t=8s

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