Our Team
The Trees For Graziers team is a multi-species mix of innovators who work together to “make silvopasture easy” for farmers and landowners. We are planners, consultants, tree breeders, nursery specialists, and graziers who share a common goal of encouraging healthy, resilient farms and landscapes. We design, implement and maintain agroforestry systems for those who take the long view.
Austin Unruh
CEO
Austin founded Trees For Graziers to help farmers in Pennsylvania and beyond take their grazing to new heights using silvopasture. It’s his goal to make silvopasture as easy and cost effective as possible for farmers, which is why TFG offers everything from planning and funding acquisition to planting and aftercare, while also growing silvo-specific nursery stock. When not thinking about silvopasture, Austin’s favorite activity is picking berries with his young family.
Jono Droege
Agroforestry Consultant
T.R. Jono Droege is one of TFG’s consultants and project managers. He is an agroforester, permaculture designer, and naturalist who spends his time outside of work playing in the woods. Jono’s passions of ecological restoration, producing healthy food, and environmental and social activism lead him to the path he’s on today. His favorite tree crop is juneberry; Jono dreams of someday stewarding a forest garden laden with them.
RJ Brinson
Nursery and Propagation Lead
RJ is infinitely interested in the natural world. He aspires to make a positive impact in his corner of the world by diversifying the landscape. He believes diversity is key to the health of natural areas, our non-human neighbors, and the farms that sustain us. At TFG, RJ researches and develops nursery availability of alternative fruit, nut, fodder, and timber crops. Outside of work, RJ appreciates “life surrounded by life”.
Harrison Rhodes
Agroforestry Consultant
Harrison’s experience in agroforestry developed as he managed Rising Locust Farm—the oldest intentionally planted silvopasture system in Lancaster County. He honed his skills first-hand by raising grass-fed cattle and sheep, pastured hogs, and pastured layers on a diverse silvopasture system. Harrison is enamored of the ways animals and trees can interact to make farms more resilient, ecological, and dynamic. Black Locust is his favorite pasture tree because of its endless determination to grow and improve the health of the land.
Matt Fagan
Agroforestry Technician
Matt, aka Bern, loves exploring the relationship between humans and the “community of life” on the planet. Originally from Maryland, Matt moved to Pennsylvania to work in vegetable and dairy farming and joined TFG full-time in 2022. He enjoys being outdoors, working with plants & animals, spending time with friends & family, learning about different cultures, music, dancing, cooking, and eating! He lives on a small dairy farm where he’s stewarding a newly established forest garden. Matt enjoys the opportunity to work on farms throughout southeast PA and beyond.
Matt Holt
Riparian Project Lead
Matthew is a passionate advocate for nature and responsible land stewardship. His profound love for trees and natural patterns fuels his commitment to restoring riparian ecosystems and improving farmland. Growing up in the hills of Berks County, PA, Matt developed a strong bond with this bioregion, where he now enjoys leisurely walks with his family foraging for forest treasures. When Matt isn’t tending to trees, he can be found on his humble homestead in the heart of Pennsylvania sinking his teeth into some local pasture-raised meat and enjoying a fine ferment.
Joshua Greene
Director of Education
Joshua joined TFG after a decade of dodging falling ash trees and grazing cattle at Greene Kitchen Farm. He has fond childhood memories of climbing pecan trees as his grandfather taught him the value of nuts: “good eating!” He hopes to inspire generations of graziers to create cool, productive perennial silvopastures. Joshua makes his home in northeastern Pennsylvania with his wife and children who love to drink coffee, burn firewood, breathe fresh air, play an occasional game of Scrabble, and watch the grass grow.