Raising Cane Ranch: An Agroforestry Demonstration Farm
Welcome to Raising Cane Ranch, a sprawling 38-acre property in Snohomish, Washington. What was once a simple grassy pasture for cattle has been transformed into an agricultural paradise through the implementation of three distinct agroforestry farming practices: alley cropping, forest farming, and silvopasture. At AgroForestry Land (AFL), we recently had the opportunity to visit this unique ranch and capture photographs of its remarkable agroforestry systems.
Check out our pictures below:
After we explored the grounds, we had the privilege of sitting down with the ranch owners to discuss their experiences with agroforestry. Their journey began when the Snohomish Conservation District approached them with a grant of approximately $6,000 to support the implementation of agroforestry practices on their land. This grant came following their enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) a few years prior, which is a program that compensates farmers for not cultivating specific areas of their land, with the aim of preserving and protecting natural habitats. In the case of Raising Cane Ranch, this meant safeguarding the riparian habitat along their creek which flows into the Snohomish River.
Since embracing agroforestry over a decade ago, the journey hasn’t always been smooth sailing for the owners of Raising Cane Ranch. Their trees have fallen victim to livestock and wildlife, and disease has devastated entire patches of plants. However, despite these recurring setbacks, the ranch owners have persevered and managed to find innovative solutions to turn their agroforestry endeavors into profitable ventures. They have introduced new varieties of trees and berries, diversified their revenue streams by venturing into cider brewing, and now, welcome visitors to the ranch for U-Pick experiences, allowing them to personally harvest a wide range of fruits and berries.
When contemplating the future of agroforestry, the owners of Raising Cane Ranch believe that cider apples and hazelnuts hold immense potential within alley cropping systems. However, they emphasize the necessity of developing commercial harvesting practices to accelerate the widespread adoption of agroforestry on a larger scale throughout the United States.
At AFL, we were so thankful for the opportunity to visit and photograph Raising Cane Ranch. If you are in Snohomish County or the Seattle area, do yourself a favor and visit Raising Cane Ranch this summer.