Forest Shepherd Farm provides perennial system design, RTK GPS layout, mechanized planting, and establishment services for riparian buffers, silvopasture, alley cropping, and large-scale perennial agricultural projects throughout Appalachia.

Our work focuses on practical implementation, watershed function, operational farm realities, and long-term survivability — not random tree planting.

We work with farmers, landowners, watershed organizations, conservation districts, grant-funded projects, and perennial agricultural operations to establish systems that are both ecologically functional and operationally workable.

We combine RTK GPS layout, mechanized tree planting, contour-based land planning, and perennial establishment systems to improve consistency, efficiency, and survivability on larger planting projects.

Services may include:

• Multi-functional riparian buffers

• Silvopasture establishment

• Alley cropping systems

• Shelterbelts and windbreaks

• RTK GPS row layout and stakeout

• Mechanized tree planting

• Ripping and strip preparation

• Tree tube and vole guard installation

• Watering and establishment support

• Follow-up monitoring and replacement planning

• Willow structures and living fences

Projects are designed around long-term survivability, practical management, watershed function, maintenance realities, operational efficiency, and realistic long-term maintenance.

We focus on perennial agricultural systems that can realistically function within working farms, conservation projects, and rural properties over the long term.

Throughout Appalachia and the Chesapeake Bay watershed, perennial systems can play a major role in improving infiltration, slowing runoff, stabilizing soil, reducing erosion, improving drought resilience, and supporting long-term agricultural productivity.

Forest Shepherd Farm approaches perennial installation as part of a larger watershed and land management system.

Agroforestry systems become difficult to manage when they are designed without considering:

• Equipment access

• Grazing systems

• Mowing patterns

• Livestock movement

• Headland requirements

• Access roads

• Existing farm operations

• Long-term maintenance practicality

• Future operational flexibility

Layout decisions are made within the context of:

• Watershed shape and hydrology

• Existing drainage patterns

• Soil conditions

• Slope and terrain

• Access requirements

• Equipment widths and turning radii

• Existing farm infrastructure

• Grant or program requirements

• Long-term management realities

This work is heavily informed by Greg Sherbert’s background in land surveying, RTK GPS systems, perennial nursery production, Regrarians land planning, watershed-focused design, and practical experience working with perennial agricultural systems in Appalachia.

The objective is not simply to place trees into fields, but to establish systems that remain functional, workable, maintainable, and economically productive over the long term.

Traditional riparian buffers are often viewed as land removed from production.

We take a broader approach.

Multi-functional riparian systems can improve:

• Water quality

• Streambank stability

• Erosion control

• Biodiversity

• Pollinator habitat

• Livestock shade and shelter

• Long-term perennial productivity

• Watershed resilience

Depending on site conditions, project goals, and program requirements, buffers may incorporate species such as:

• Willow

• Elderberry

• Hazelnut

• Pawpaw

• Persimmon

• Pecan

• Black Walnut

• Hickory

• Native shrubs and pollinator species

Forest Shepherd Farm can provide:

• Live stakes and cuttings

• Nursery-grown plant material

• Procurement coordination

• Tube and vole guard systems

• Establishment planning

• Follow-up support

Client-supplied plant material can also be incorporated when appropriate.

Forest Shepherd Farm works with all five major USDA agroforestry categories, with particular focus on systems that can function operationally within working farms.

Silvopasture

Intentional integration of trees, livestock, and forage systems.

Properly designed silvopasture systems are not random tree rows placed into pasture. Tree placement, spacing, and row orientation are designed around grazing systems, equipment access, mowing patterns, livestock movement, and long-term management practicality.

Alley Cropping

Rows of perennial crops integrated with annual or perennial production systems.

Well-designed alley cropping systems are built around actual equipment widths, headland requirements, operational realities, and phased long-term management.

Windbreaks & Shelterbelts

Tree systems designed to improve livestock comfort, reduce wind exposure, improve microclimates, and reduce desiccation.

Riparian Buffers

Perennial tree and shrub systems established alongside waterways to stabilize streambanks, improve water quality, reduce erosion, slow runoff, improve infiltration, and create long-term ecological and productive value.

Well-designed riparian systems can also provide pollinator habitat, livestock shelter, perennial crops, wildlife value, and long-term watershed resilience while remaining manageable within working agricultural landscapes.

Forest Farming

Intentional cultivation of marketable crops within managed woodland systems.

Mechanized perennial establishment can significantly improve efficiency in larger-scale planting systems.

Forest Shepherd Farm offers flexible project structures depending on project goals, budget, labor availability, site conditions, and program requirements.

Projects may include any combination of:

• Site planning and strategy

• Basemap development

• RTK GPS layout and stakeout

• Ripping and strip preparation

• Mechanized planting

• Tree tube installation

• Plant material sourcing and coordination

• Watering and establishment support

• Monitoring and replacement planning

• Long-term expansion planning

Some clients prefer turnkey implementation.

Others may already have:

• Plant material

• Protection systems

• Volunteer labor

• Existing contractors

• Grant specifications

• Site plans

We can work within a wide range of implementation structures depending on the project.

Forest Shepherd Farm uses mechanized planting systems and RTK GPS layout to improve planting consistency and installation efficiency on appropriate sites.

Our planting systems can accommodate:

• Bare-root seedlings

• Larger nursery stock with no height restrictions

• Container-grown trees up to approximately 7-gallon pots

• Mixed systems — trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials, and annuals can all be planted within the same project

Mechanized systems can improve:

• Consistent spacing

• Parallel row geometry

• Contour alignment

• Installation speed

• Labor efficiency

• Coordination between design and implementation

Planting itself is often only one part of successful perennial establishment.

Protection systems, watering, monitoring, maintenance, and survivability require substantially more long-term attention than simply placing trees into the ground.

We focus heavily on establishment practicality and long-term survivability.

Projects involving several hundred to several thousand trees are generally the best fit for mechanized planting systems, though smaller projects may still benefit from watershed analysis, layout planning, and phased implementation support.