At Caney Fork Farms, we are committed to advancing organic farming practices that support climate resilience. While organic production is expanding in the U.S., its climate change mitigation potential is often questioned, primarily due to the reliance on tillage, which can deplete soil organic carbon (SOC). To help address this challenge, we conduct and support research initiatives that analyze how SOC is influenced by specific regenerative practices.
We are always excited to explore applied research that evaluates management strategies balancing agricultural productivity with environmental stewardship. One such project wrapped up earlier in 2025. Cecilia Albert-Black, under the direction of Dr. Sindhu Jagadamma, completed her master’s thesis in collaboration with the Caney Fork Farms team, using our farm as her study site.
There were two key studies in this project. First, the researchers examined a perennial agroforestry system (AFS) designed to benefit grazing animals and increase carbon accrual. This system is part of Caney Fork Farms’ silvopasture program, where chestnut trees and other native tree species grow in pastures grazed by our grass-fed sheep.
Second, they evaluated whether compost applications using two compost types—windrow and BEAM compost—could help mitigate SOC losses in annual field crop systems.
In the agroforestry study, the team measured SOC stocks and fractions near trees of two ages (4 and 7 years) at three distances (0.5, 2, and 15 meters) within our silvopasture. Results showed the highest SOC storage and stabilization occurred 0.5 meters from 7-year-old trees, suggesting that tree-based systems can significantly enhance carbon sequestration over time.
The compost study tested three rates of BEAM compost (0.56, 1.12, and 2.24 Mg ha⁻¹), a windrow compost treatment (22.4 Mg ha⁻¹), a BEAM-windrow combination, and a control. These were applied to a reduced tillage organic vegetable system. After one season, researchers observed no measurable improvements in soil health or crop performance.
The agroforestry study supports the growing body of research that perennial systems hold strong potential for building SOC on farms. We plan to continue monitoring SOC as our tree systems mature. As for the compost study, we consider that amendments in tilled systems may require longer-term use before yielding measurable benefits, so we have continued this research through the summer of 2025.
In addition to wrapping up her master’s research, Cecilia had the opportunity to share her work at the 2024 Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Meeting. She secured travel funding through the University of Tennessee’s Graduate Student Senate and earned first place in the poster competition for her presentation on soil organic carbon accumulation in a temperate agroforestry system. We’re thrilled to see her work recognized on a national stage.
We are honored to play a small role in refining these practices in pursuit of more resilient and ecologically sound farming systems. Well done, Cecilia and Sindhu! Thank you for working with us on this important project.
📖 Interested in the full study? You can read Cecilia’s thesis here: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/13867/