Twofold Farm Grows a Food Forest with Conservation in Mind

A New Chapter on Family Land

In Tunkhannock, Wyoming County, PA, Jay Jadick and his partner, Jordan Delzell, are writing a new chapter on Jay's family land. Together, they operate Twofold Farm and Studio, a blend of market garden and papermaking studio, coupled with a bold vision for perennial agriculture. 

Jay, a fourth-generation farmer, is shifting ground that once grew continuous corn into a more resilient future with trees. "We're hoping to find a blend between art and agriculture in our daily lives," he explained. "Long term, we want to focus on perennial crops like chestnuts and work more cooperatively with other artists and farmers in the region." 

Twofold Farm's vision began moving forward in June 2023, when Jay and Jordan first met with the Wyoming County Conservation District to share their ideas. With the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) newly launched, planning moved quickly.

Addressing Erosion and Water Quality 

The field where their project took root had a long history of continuous corn production on sandy, gravelly soil, which is highly prone to erosion. Sitting at the confluence of Bowman's Creek and an unnamed tributary, runoff and unstable streambanks were ongoing concerns. 

"This was a classic erosion problem," said Chris Faux, Agriculture Conservation Program Coordinator with the Wyoming County Conservation District. "The continuous corn, combined with the soil type and stream location, was causing serious resource concerns." 

For Jay and Jordan, the challenge also presented an opportunity: a chance to address environmental issues while building a viable farm business. 

Planting a Multifunctional Buffer 

Working with the conservation district, Jay and Jordan established a 16-acre multifunctional riparian buffer, also known as a "food forest," designed to protect water quality while producing crops. 

The work began with a self-funded experimental planting in spring 2023, when Jay direct-seeded 50 chestnuts to gauge survival rates and established a ground cover of creeping red fescue, Dutch white clover, and perennial rye. That fall, with the help of ACAP, a 3-acre interplanting of bare-root trees and shrubs was planted. In spring 2024, another 9 acres of chestnuts were direct-seeded across the buffer, followed by an additional 3 acres of chestnuts planted in fall 2024 using bare-root trees grown on the farm. 

The buffer now includes roughly 30 species of trees, shrubs, and perennials. About 12 acres are planted entirely in chestnuts, while an additional 3 acres are interplanted with pawpaws, Asian pears, asparagus, and a diverse mix of other fruit and nut species. The interplanted section also serves as a nursery, allowing Jay and Jordan to trial crops before propagating successful species for wider use across the farm and in the community. 

"The idea was to avoid just replacing a monocrop of corn with a monocrop of chestnuts," Jay said. "By layering different trees and shrubs, we're creating diversity that supports soil health, wildlife habitat, and multiple harvests." 

Over time, the couple hopes to expand the buffer by an additional four acres, further enhancing its environmental impact. 

Funding and Partnerships 

The buffer project was completed in two phases of Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) funding, combined with support from the Wyoming County Commissioners: 

• Phase 1 (2023): $21,285.95 in ACAP funding + $6,000 from the county commissioners 
• Phase 2 (2024): $7,760.64 in ACAP funding 

Along with financial support from the county, Jay and Jordan contributed countless hours of sweat equity, planting each tree by hand. 

Patrick McCarthy, northeast PA regional Conservation Program Specialist with the PA State Conservation Commission, said the project exemplifies ACAP's impact: "This was a relatively low-cost project with very high environmental benefits. You're addressing erosion and water quality while also creating long-term farm value." 

Overcoming Challenges 

Like any new venture, the project came with hurdles. For Jay, it was important to design a system that would last. "At first, we thought every tree had to survive," he said. "But we've learned to take a closer-to-nature approach. Not every tree will make it, and that's okay. We're looking for the strong, resilient ones." 

With ACAP support, the farm was able to establish the planting at a scale that would have been impossible on their own. 

Recognition and Awards 

In June 2024, the Wyoming County Conservation District received the Innovative ACAP Project Award for its work at Twofold Farm. The award recognized the project's creative use of ACAP funding to establish a multifunctional buffer that strengthens both the environment and farm economics. 

For Faux, the recognition reflects the power of thinking differently. "We don't always need big engineering projects," he said. "Sometimes the highest impact comes from smaller, innovative projects like this one." 

Results and Impact 

The transformation at Twofold Farm is already yielding benefits. 

• Environmental: Reduced erosion, improved soil health, protection for Bowman's Creek, and new wildlife habitat. 
• Farm viability: A foundation for future chestnut and pawpaw harvests, plus potential nursery sales. 
• Community model: A demonstration of how ACAP can support beginning farmers and encourage innovative conservation approaches across Pennsylvania. 

"This project shows the kind of conservation that spreads by word of mouth," McCarthy noted. "Neighbors see it, ask questions, and start thinking about what's possible on their own farms." 

Jennifer Fetter, Director of the Penn State Extension's Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training (CACAT), emphasized the broader value of sharing farmer stories: “Stories like Jay and Jordan’s are powerful teaching tools. At CACAT, we use real-world examples from farmers who have implemented conservation practices through ACAP to help educate today’s conservation workforce and inspire the next generation. When farmers share their experiences, it not only demonstrates what’s possible but also motivates others across Pennsylvania to take action for clean water and resilient farms.”

Looking Ahead 

For Jay and Jordan, the work is just beginning. "This land used to be continuous corn for decades," Jay reflected. "Now we're planting trees that can live for a thousand years, creating food, protecting water, and building resilience. Projects like this need to keep happening year after year if we want to heal the land." 

Their story is a reminder of how conservation, when paired with vision and creativity, can reshape not just a single field but the future of farming in Pennsylvania. 

This article is a companion piece to the Northeast PA ACAP Farmer Success Story video, featuring Twofold Farm, which is included below. This article and the video were produced in collaboration with the Penn State Extension Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training (CACAT).