OXFORD, Iowa (KCRG) – A farm in Oxford has moved away from growing corn and soybeans, planting elderberries, hazelnuts and chestnuts instead.
Anna Geyer has transitioned the farm out of row crops through a practice known as agroforestry, which combines farming with trees and shrubs.
“It’s a different landscape of farming than what we used to have and I love it so much,” Geyer said.
Ecosystem benefits and challenges
Geyer said the approach comes with economic difficulties but provides significant ecosystem benefits, including keeping the land covered year-round. The deep roots of the plants catch nitrates before they reach groundwater or streams…