165. Silvopasture: Getting Trees Started Right with Austin Unruh

165. Silvopasture: Getting Trees Started Right with Austin Unruh

Author: Grazing Grass April 9, 2025 Duration: 1:08:56

In this  episode , we feature Austin Unruh, the founder of Trees for Graziers. Austin's journey into the world of silvopasture and agroforestry began in 2017 when he started planting trees along streams to improve water quality. Since then, his passion for integrating trees into pasture systems has grown, and he has worked with grass-fed dairy operators to transform their pastures using innovative agroforestry practices. His expertise in overcoming challenges, such as unsuccessful tree planting attempts and livestock management, has positioned him as a leader in the field, achieving a remarkable 90% success rate in tree establishment.


Topics covered in the episode include:

  • The integration of trees into pasture systems through silvopasture
  • Challenges and opportunities in implementing silvopasture
  • Strategies for protecting young trees from cattle and other threats
  • Best practices for tree establishment and care
  • Tree care and watering tips
  • Insights into silvopasture resources and tools

You should listen to this episode to gain a deeper understanding of how integrating trees into pastures can create a harmonious balance between agriculture and ecology. Austin Unruh shares invaluable insights, practical strategies, and lessons learned from his experiences, making it an essential listen for anyone interested in regenerative agriculture and agroforestry. Whether you're a seasoned grazer or new to the concept, this episode promises to inspire and educate, offering tips and resources to help you successfully implement silvopasture on your farm.

Links Mentioned in the Episode
Trees for Graziers

Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute

Redmond
GBT Angus

Grazing Grass Links
New Listener Resource Guide

Provide feedback for the podcast
Website
Insiders
Resources (Coming Soon)
Community (on Facebook)
Check out the Apiary Chronicles Podcast

Chapters



Looking for grass-based breeders?
 Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.

Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute

Redmond Agriculture
Grassroots Carbon

Grazing Grass Links
Website
Community (on Facebook)

Original Music by Louis Palfrey


There’s a quiet revolution happening in the fields and pastures, one that ties the health of the soil directly to the health of a farm’s bottom line. Grazing Grass Podcast | Rotational Grazing, Soil Health & Profitable Livestock Farming is a part of that conversation, sitting down with the men and women who are putting regenerative principles into daily practice. Hosted by Grazing Grass, each episode feels like a candid chat across a fence line, moving beyond theory into the tangible details of managing livestock on grass. You’ll hear farmers recount their own journeys-what prompted their shift in thinking, the logistical hurdles of changing their operation, and the outcomes they’ve witnessed in their land and ledger books. A recurring segment called "Over Grazing" digs into the specific problems and hard-won lessons that come with this way of farming. This isn’t just a science or nature podcast; it’s a practical resource built on shared experience, aiming to strengthen a community where knowledge about profitable, grass-based systems is passed along openly. Tune in for honest stories that get to the root of what it means to work with the land.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Grazing Grass Podcast | Rotational Grazing, Soil Health & Profitable Livestock Farming
Podcast Episodes
154. Bee Kept with Adam Martin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:00
Unlock the secrets to successful farm stacking and low-maintenance beekeeping as we share the inspiring journey of Adam Martin from B Strong Homestead in Cologa, Tennessee. Adam transitioned from city life to homesteadin…
e153. Ag Stewardship with Jared Sorensen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:15
Jared Sorensen, a passionate rancher and steward, shares his captivating journey through the world of ranching, revealing the unique challenges and triumphs of managing Secret Pass Livestock in northeastern Nevada. Growi…
152. Virtual Fencing from Halter with Theo Beaumont [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:33
Theo Beaumont, from the forefront of agricultural innovation, joins us to share his journey and insights into the world of virtual fencing technology. From growing up to navigating a potential career in banking, Theo fou…
e149. Grazing, Growing, and Butchery with Jock Gibson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:27
Join us as we welcome Jock Gibson from Edinvale Farm in northern Scotland, who shares his inspiring journey into grass-fed beef farming amidst the region's challenging climate. Jock reflects on his unexpected return to t…
e148. Roots So Deep with Peter Byck [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:44
Join us as we explore the fascinating world of regenerative farming with Peter Byck, the talented producer and director of the docuseries "Roots so Deep You Can See the Devil Down There." We chat about the inception and…
e147. Cattle on Small Acreage with Janelle Anderson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:58
What if small-scale farming could be both sustainable and profitable? Join us as Janelle Anderson from The Haven Farmstead in Southern Middle Tennessee shares her inspiring journey from Wisconsin to Tennessee's rolling l…
e145. Another Income Stream from Land Use with Nic De Castro [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:30
Nic De Castro takes us on an extraordinary journey from his roots in Southern California to the vast landscapes of the Rocky Mountain West. As an avid hunter and fisherman, Nic turned his passion into a groundbreaking ve…