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double a ranch
Double A Ranch in New Fairfield, CT, is owned and run by Austin and Karin Bauer. They raise grass fed Angus and Hereford Cattle, pasture raised chickens and pigs
In 2025 they were awarded just over $7,000 to implement their Climate Smart plans of establishing silvopasture for cattle by re-seeding pasture and planting trees. We find inspiration in their story of how things were, what they did, and what its like now.
Our silvopasture restoration project began with the goal of returning previously overgrown and underutilized farmland back into productive agricultural use. Over the past 20 years, the area had become heavily overtaken by invasive species, including autumn olive, Russian olive, invasive brambles, and dense thorny brush. The first phase of the project focused on the removal of these invasive species to restore access, improve land health, and prepare the area for future grazing use.
Following the clearing process, we removed stumps, fallen trees, and other debris throughout the site to create safe and accessible grazing lanes for livestock. This cleanup work significantly improved the usability of the land while also helping restore the natural landscape.
Once the land was cleared and stabilized, we began restoring the area into a functional silvopasture system using species selected intentionally for both ecological and agricultural value within our region. We planted oak trees, serviceberry trees, and apple and pear trees throughout the project area. The oak trees were selected to provide future acorn production, which serves as a valuable natural feed source for our pigs during the fall season. The serviceberry and fruit trees were planted to provide additional forage and nutritional diversity for our livestock. Fallen fruits can be utilized as supplemental feed for pigs, treats and training aids for cattle, and nutritional enrichment for our laying hens.
The pasture areas were also reseeded multiple times throughout the restoration process. We initially planted annual ryegrass to establish quick ground cover, stabilize soil, and reduce erosion while longer-term forage species became established. Afterward, we planted perennial pasture mixes suited to our northern climate, including perennial ryegrass, orchard grass, timothy, alfalfa, and both red and white clovers. These forage species were selected to improve pasture productivity and provide high-quality grazing nutrition for our cattle herd during the growing season.
This silvopasture restoration project has been instrumental in improving the productivity, biodiversity, and long-term sustainability of our farmland. Through invasive species removal, tree planting, pasture establishment, and soil regeneration efforts, we have made substantial progress toward reclaiming and improving the health of this land. We believe the grant funds were used responsibly and effectively to create meaningful and lasting improvements to the farm. The final outcome closely reflects our original vision for the project, and we are excited to continue building upon this progress in the years ahead.
