TITLE:
Agroforestry Adoption in the Southeastern United States: A Comparative Analysis of the 2017 and 2022 Census of Agriculture
AUTHORS:
Yaw A. Twumasi, Edmund C. Merem, Zhu H. Ning, Harriet B. Yeboah, Priscilla M. Loh, Jeff D. Osei, Dorcas T. Gyan, Esi Dadzie, Lucinda A. Kangwana, Janeth E. Mjema, Kingsford K. Annan, Mercy M. Karanja, Madeline Boyd
KEYWORDS:
Urbanization, Alley Cropping, Riparian Buffers, Silvopasture
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Forestry,
Vol.16 No.2,
April
23,
2026
ABSTRACT: The Southeastern United States holds significant potential for agroforestry, with silvopasture systems being the most implemented. These systems offer advantages such as increased economic returns, diversified farm enterprises, and enhanced cash flow. Despite growing recognition of agroforestry’s environmental and economic benefits, there is limited information on its regional adoption patterns and temporal trends, particularly at the state and parish levels. This study addresses this gap by analyzing and mapping changes in agroforestry adoption between 2017 and 2022 using data from the United States Census of Agriculture, with a focus on identifying spatial patterns, trends, and state-level changes over time. This study utilized the 2017 and 2022 Census of Agriculture data to examine state-level adoption of agroforestry in the Southeastern United States. A GIS-based approach was applied in ArcGIS Pro, where the data were organized into attribute tables and linked to shapefiles. Five maps were created using a graduated color scheme to visualize the spatial distribution and changes in farms practicing agroforestry across the region. The study discovers that between 2017 and 2022, total farm numbers in the Southeastern U.S. slightly declined, but agroforestry adoption increased, particularly in Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia, highlighting a regional shift toward more sustainable and resilient farming practices. The study concludes that expanding agroforestry in the Southeastern U.S., particularly in low-adoption states, requires stronger policies, financial incentives, technical support, and market development to boost resilience, sustainability, and economic growth.