On Farm Design Days during the 2026 growing season
How can woody plants be integrated into the overall farm system in a way that supports production, the farm economy, and the landscape in the long term?
The Agroforestry in Nyland project is organizing planning workshops to be held on farms during the 2026 growing season, focusing on the practical planning processes of agroforestry in real-world environments.
This is not about general brainstorming, but rather guided planning work that examines the farm’s current state, constraints, and opportunities, and outlines a clear, actionable core plan.
On-site Planning – What the Workshops Are About
The spatial planning workshop offers an opportunity to learn about the practical aspects of planning agroforestry on-site at a farm. The work is based on observation and understanding the farm as a whole:
- examining farm analysis in a real-world setting
- observing the movement of shadows and microclimates in the field
- taking existing structures, plants, and activities into account as part of the planning
- Participants will have the opportunity to work together on systematic agroforestry planning in a practical farm setting.
The workshop will introduce conceptual models and tools that can also be applied on one’s own farm.
The goal of the workshops is not to produce a finished implementation plan, but rather a clear and realistic core design that the farmer can further develop.
Agroforestry as part of the overall farm system
In agroforestry, trees and shrubs are integrated into existing production systems; they are not simply planted as separate elements. When properly designed, they can provide, among other things:
- wind protection for grazing animals and field crops
- ecological corridors and biodiversity
- new crop varieties (fruits, berries, wood-based products)
- perennial and high-quality pasture forage'
It is worth noting that not all agroforestry solutions require the planting of new trees. The planning process also examines existing elements and how to make better use of them. In this sense, agroforestry is both an ecological and an economic strategy.
Collaborative planning on the farm
Farmers, agricultural advisors, and horticultural professionals are invited to participate in farm planning workshops. Every farm is different, and planning is always based on the farm’s specific circumstances.
The focus of the workshops is on collaborative planning. The goal is to:
- refine the core of the plan
- identify the solutions most essential to the farm
- eliminate secondary or irrelevant options
Outcome of the workshop day
The outcome of the workshop day is a clearly defined basic concept for the design, not a ready-to-implement plan. This outcome serves as a foundation from which the spatial planner can proceed toward concrete implementation at their own pace and within the limits of their own resources.
Workshop locations during the 2026 growing season
During the growing season, farm design workshops will be held at the following locations:
Tuiskula Farm, Siuntio
A farm that follows the principles of holistic grazing, combining vegetable production with grazing animals. The farm has poultry and ruminants, such as sheep, and will also have cattle in the future. Tuiskula has been a pioneer in Finland in the adoption of mobile chicken coops.
Santa Dorotea, Sipoo
A versatile vegetable and cut-flower farm focused on regenerative agriculture, which also hosts courses and events. The goal is to expand production to include fruits and berries.
Tallan Ylitalo, Karjalohja
Tallan Ylitalo, Karjalohja: An organic farm in Karjalohja that grows grains, legumes, and, as a specialty, spelt. Over the years, organic farming practices have brought much-needed fertility to the clay-heavy lake-bottom fields.
Kiven Säästöpossu, Karkkila
An organic pig farm where pig rearing, slaughter, and meat processing all take place on the same farm, providing customers with a direct connection to the production process.
On Farm Design Day at Tuiskula Farm 12.5.2025
Tuiskula Farm is a family-run farm where farming practices are being developed over the long term to promote healthier soil, more diverse production, and sustainable food production. The farm combines crop cultivation with grazing livestock production, and its operations are guided by the principles of regenerative agriculture.
In the farm planning workshop, we will examine Tuiskula Farm as a whole and start from the farm’s most important goals. The central starting point is increasing biodiversity and considering how trees and shrubs can support ecosystem function as part of the cropland and pasture environment.
The next key focus is providing shelter for grazing ruminants, particularly the importance of microclimate, shade, and wind protection for animal welfare and pasture functionality.
Based on these, we also examine what opportunities trees can offer the farm in the long term as an economic resource, for example in the form of crops, forage production, or other wood-based products. Planning is carried out based on the farm’s own starting points.
Program
10:00–10:20 | Arrival and Settling In
The morning begins in a relaxed atmosphere: coffee, mingling, and getting to know the other participants and the venue.
10:20–11:00 | Orientation
We’ll get to know the farm, its current situation, and the questions we’ll be seeking answers to throughout the day. At the same time, we’ll go over the day’s schedule and discuss the perspectives from which we’ll be examining the farm and how participants will work in small groups through these perspectives throughout the day.
We will establish a shared understanding of what agroforestry means specifically on this farm and in this context, and which themes the day’s work will focus on in particular.
11:00–12:00 | Group farm walk
We will observe the farm on-site together with the hosts. The walk will be facilitated, and participants will examine the farm from various perspectives.
During the walk, we’ll highlight opportunities, limitations, and the space’s unique features by listening, asking questions, and observing. Our observations will serve as the basis for our joint planning session in the afternoon.
12:00–12:45 | Lunch
12:45–14:00 | Group work and interpretation of the space
The afternoon begins with small-group work using maps and simple design tools. The groups will organize the observations made during the morning and examine the space from different perspectives.
The goal of this work is to identify key features, challenges, and opportunities related to the space, which will serve as a starting point for collaborative planning. At this stage, the focus is not on finding ready-made solutions, but on gathering the essentials and building a shared understanding.
14:00–14:10 | Break
14:10–15:40 | Collaborative planning and grasping the big picture
The observations and perspectives gathered in the groups are brought together and examined collectively. The main part of the afternoon session highlights how various observations, objectives, and constraints are integrated into a cohesive whole in the planning of agroforestry.
During the session, the core of the farm’s planning is outlined: key principles, choices, and guidelines that the farmer can later use to move toward a feasible plan. The end result is not a finished solution, but a clear and practical starting point for further work.
15:40–16:00 | Closing & Final Discussion
The day concludes with a group discussion to reflect on the insights and open questions that emerged during the day. Participants will have the opportunity to share their observations and experiences from the workshop.
Finally, a representative from the host farm will discuss how the day’s outcomes relate to the farm’s future development and what new insights the day has brought to light.
About the Agroforestry in Uusimaa Project
Agroforestry in Nyland is a three-year development project administered by Novia University of Applied Sciences and funded by the ELY Centre, the Swedish Cultural Foundation, and the Finland-Swedish Land Foundation. The project aims to promote agroforestry in Uusimaa as part of the practical development of farms.
Registration
To register for the farm planning workshops, please fill out the registration form. Detailed directions will be emailed to all registered participants prior to the workshop.
The event is free of charge.
Registration to Tuiskula Farm 12.5.2026: https://network.novia.fi/Events/411/Apply
More information on agroforestry:
Agroforestry resources repository – NylAF