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The depth and breadth of the agroforestry research–education–application infrastructure has come a long way in the past 40 yr, developing most rapidly in the past decade. Coupled with an acceleration of biophysical and socioeconomic research, there are now positive changes in federal policy and positive market trends. The USDA–NRCS formally recognized temperate agroforestry practices in their cost‐share Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), helping promote agroforestry through national policy. Further support for growth of the agroforestry sector comes from positive consumer and market trends: increased demand for and promoting of “buy local”; growth of direct‐to‐consumer farmers markets; continued growth in the organic sector; and strong interest in pasture‐based livestock production.

Formally accredited online graduate certificate and master’s degree programs have been established; numerous extended‐duration training programs have been created and designed to train educators and landowners; NGOs (e.g., the Savanna Institute) and private sector (e.g., Iroquois Valley Farmland REIT, PBC Farms Beef) engage with landowners in agroforestry; multiple specialty crop and livestock cooperatives (e.g., elderberry, chestnut, hazelnut [Corylus spp.], aronia) have been formed; and robust financial decision support tools have been developed.

As it matures, this infrastructure must provide an interconnected feedback–feedforward knowledge system of researchers, teachers, extension personnel, and field practitioners to promote and support the development, refinement, and implementation of new ideas and practices (Gold, 2007).