Hill Farms

Going Big: Investing in Chestnut Agroforestry

Investing can be characterized by a variety of metrics including risk, return, time, and costs. How investments perform over the long run, and how they can help connect transition a farm across multiple generations, may be an important factor to individuals and family offices making long-term investments.

An Opportunity Knocks

In 2021, Keavin Hill, who owns Hill Farms based in central Ohio, learned of an opportunity to transition his farmland to chestnut & hay production. Historically, Keavin had managed corn, soy, and wheat operations across his +/- 4,000 acres stretching into southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky.

Keavin Hill, of Hill Farms

Keavin Hill, Hill Farms

Aerial view of a large green farmland with organized rows of crops, small farm buildings, silos, and a body of water along the bottom edge, surrounded by forested hills.

180 Acre former corn/soy farm managed by Hill Farms in Southern Ohio transitioned to Chestnut Agroforestry in Fall 2023

A large green field with rows of freshly planted crops, and several people working in the field wearing reflective vests. There are trees and hills in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

I have always been open to new practices and trends which allow for diversification of operations” A farm operation that lacks the flexibility to adapt to influential internal variables and external market factors is sacrificing revenue and growth potential. I first embraced and began to lead in sustainable agricultural practices in the 1980s with the use of biological fertilization and no-till techniques."

Keavin Hill

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Trusted Advisor in Transition

Most firms in agriculture tend to evaluate farmland value based on land appreciation and current or historical crop yields & revenues.

Propagate team evaluated each parcel not only on the basis of how much revenue it has generated in the past, but on how much revenue it has the potential to generate in the future by adding tree crops to their operation.

Better still, the Propagate team can execute the complete planting and cultivation strategy alongside the farmer, delivering to landowners a farm with complete, functional, operations & maintenance that meets revenue expectations for the future.

A row of potted young plants or trees, likely saplings, on a grassy area with a background of trees and hills during overcast weather.

1 Year Old Chestnut Seedlings - Miller Elite

Phase 1 - Farm Suitability & Site Design

After evaluating Keavin’s first 130 acre property using the Overyield platform, crop location was selected based on soil quality, slope, and wetness.

From planting in 2022 through 2028, the space in between the tree rows will be used for hay production. After 2028, the trees will have grown tall enough to be above browse height, so that livestock can rotate through the farm as a managed grazing system in the winter & early spring.

Color-coded map showing Chinese Chestnuts growth suitability with red indicating less suitable areas and green indicating more suitable zones, overlaid on a landscape with topographic lines and surrounding land.

Overyield’s Suitability Map for Chestnuts in KY

Aerial map view of a farm with fields, water bodies, and overlayed boundary lines indicating different sections and crop types, including chestnut trees and black locust.

Pictured: Overyield software design for one of 14 farms in transition: 7,809 Chestnut Trees, 880 Black Locust Trees (Timber).

Chestnuts are the next chapters in my efforts to meet the needs of the market through the wise utilization of our natural resources in ways that lead us to a more sustainable future.”

Keavin Hill

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How It Works

A stable long-term lease

The lease is a 20-year lease that includes the ownership of the trees as assets on the land using a combination of timber rights and farm product rights. Rates range depending on the quality of the farm’s suitability.

Gold standard site prep and planting

Propagate uses regenerative agricultural principles; This includes the use of subsoil de-compaction, cover cropping, permanent ground cover, biological stimulants & re-mineralization to build carbon, support soil health and minimize erosion.

Hill Farm’s role & returns

Keavin earns in 3 ways: on stable lease payments, services for the management of the chestnut system through his agricultural management company and on alley-cropped hay for a wholly owned hay enterprise.

Aerial view of green farmland with organized rows of young plants marked with white stakes, broken by a small creek and dotted with a few trees under a clear sky.

Phase 2 - Partnering to Scale Up to more Ground

25,000 trees planted

With 25,000 trees planted as the end of 2023 across 300 acres, Keavin’s partnership with Propagate is one of the largest chestnut operations in the US.

We have now grown into hundreds of acres of land that we own and/or manage being planted for chestnuts. We are excited that our landlords have embraced our vision to improve the land through these practices….

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Two men walking through a green field on a sunny day, with trees and houses in the background under a clear blue sky.
A tall plant grows along a dirt path in a field of corn, with a house and trees in the background under a bright blue sky.
A large tree with green leaves and round seed pods under a partly cloudy blue sky. In the background, there is a field, some farm equipment, and a corrugated white pipe.
Aerial view of farmland with rows of crops, green fields, and scattered trees, with some farm buildings and a pond in the background.
Close-up of a chestnut burr opening to reveal shiny brown chestnuts inside, surrounded by green leaves.

Farming is about meeting the needs of the larger populace, you plant crops and tend livestock because it addresses the needs of those who you may never directly interact with but desperately need you.”

Keavin Hill

An uplift for farm profit & nature

Farm plans are based on the land’s inherent nature to ensure riparian areas and biodiversity are core to the future, not an afterthought.

Talk to us about your Farm
Aerial view of farmland with digital overlay of roads and property boundaries highlighted in pink and blue.

70%

8%

22%

Chestnut & Hay Production

In-Field Biodiversity

Riparian Restoration