Graham Savio
Agroforestry Program Manager, North America Agriculture
New York
Graham Savio Graham is the agroforestry program manager, North America Agriculture, for The Nature Conservancy. © Courtesy of Graham Savio
Areas of Expertise
Agroforestry, cropping systems, ag economics, grazing & integrated livestock systems, ecosystem svcs
Biography
Graham Savio manages the agroforestry program within The Nature Conservancy’s North America Agriculture program. In this role, Graham focuses on ensuring the successful implementation of a significant USDA Advancing Markets for Producers grant, through which TNC and partners are supporting the development and implementation of agroforestry systems and support structures in 30 states. Graham works with TNC colleagues and partners to leverage policy and funding in support of equitable agroforestry development while advancing environmental and economic outcomes.
Before joining TNC, Graham spent six years with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, where he developed a statewide outreach and extension network serving agroforestry and nut crop producers and processors. He previously spent six years working with cacao, coffee and vanilla producer cooperatives in East Africa, where he witnessed firsthand the beauty and complexity of perennial cropping systems that blur the line between field and forest, hold soil in place, sequester carbon and enhance biodiversity—all while producing nutritious food.
Graham holds master’s degrees in agricultural economics and international agricultural development from UC Davis and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and classical studies from Colgate University. He lives with his family in Central New York, where they own and operate a farm growing apples and chestnuts and raising sheep in an integrated silvopasture system.