Forest Farming Video Library

A Conference to Honor the Past and Shape the Future of Forest Farming

It’s April and, while the weather might be unpredictable, ramps are coming up right on time. Join us for a virtual presentation from Steven Schwartz on managing your ramp lands. Through an explanation of his property and ramp-based business, Steven will cover all you need to know about finding, growing, and harvesting ramps. Steven Schwartz is a ramp farmer and consultant on conservation issues who lives and works on the Upper Delaware River. His company, Delaware Valley Ramps has managed the ramps on his property for 18 years, harvesting and selling to restaurants, distributors and CSAs in NYC and the Southern Catskills and Northern Poconos. In 2022 he began an experiential business entitled Ramps U-Pick where families and individuals purchase tickets to learn how to identify, select, harvest and process ramps on the property. Many of the participants harvest for transplanting on their property while others are excited to get out into the woods and bring home their ramps to enjoy in dishes they cook. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This webinar was recorded by Northeast Forest Farming Coalition on April 11, 2024. Learn more about Forest Farming in the Northeast and join the Coalition at https://www.northeastforestfarmers.org/ The Northeast Forest Farmers Coalition (NFFC) is a partnership of individuals, farms, universities, nonprofits, businesses, and other organizations with the shared goal of growing forest farming opportunities and education within the Northeast region. The aim of the NFFC is to help catalyze the development of a grassroots forest farming industry in the region that is grounded in promoting both economic resiliency within local communities and the health of forest ecosystems. At the center of the project is a network of Research & Demonstration Forests – these are active research sites generating important ecological, financial, and production data on five understory plant species with significant profit potential. These sites also serve as locations for hands-on educational opportunities.

Forest Management for NTFPs: Forest Stand Improvement with Mushrooms in Mind, with Northeast Forest Farmer Coalition and led by Badger Johnson of Paradise Ecological Services. Join the NFFC for a webinar on how to manage your forest for non-timber forest products. Badger Johnson—a certified forester, agroforester, and farmer—will cover topics ranging from managing invasive species to sustainably harvesting both timber and non-timber products from your woods. Wholistic forest management that integrates understory and overstory can ensure a healthy forest and a bounty of NTFPs, from herbs to berries to mushrooms to syrups. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This recorded webinar was recorded by Northeast Forest Farming Coalition on March 15, 2024. Learn more about Forest Farming in the Northeast and join the Coalition at https://www.northeastforestfarmers.org/ The Northeast Forest Farmers Coalition (NFFC) is a partnership of individuals, farms, universities, nonprofits, businesses, and other organizations with the shared goal of growing forest farming opportunities and education within the Northeast region. The aim of the NFFC is to help catalyze the development of a grassroots forest farming industry in the region that is grounded in promoting both economic resiliency within local communities and the health of forest ecosystems. At the center of the project is a network of Research & Demonstration Forests – these are active research sites generating important ecological, financial, and production data on five understory plant species with significant profit potential. These sites also serve as locations for hands-on educational opportunities.

Gather to Grow: Forest Farming Conference 2024 A Conference to Honor the Past and Shape the Future of Forest Farming March 22 - 24th, 2024 | Roanoke, VA The Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition's Gather to Grow multi day Forest Farming conference will be held in Roanoke, Virginia from March 22-24, 2024 and feature learning, networking, and strategic planning programs that will shape the future of forest farming of woodland crops such as botanicals, mushrooms, and decorative products in Appalachia and beyond. Learn more and register @ https://www.appalachianforestfarmers.org/2024-conference

A business born from a passion is a concept that few people dare to dream of, but Joel and Leah Larabell, owners of High Garden Tea based in Nashville, TN, never had profit in mind when they began to share their love for tea and its medicinal qualities with their community. The road to success hasn't been easy them, especially after a tornado destroyed the tea shop they built by hand and with heart, but their genuine love for what they do and belief in the good that it effuses into the world has brought them through thick and thin. Their passion and commitment to the health of both people and planet is easy to see. It's in the 100 percent recycled, backyard compostable, hand-packaged tea bags. It's in the formulations that care for ailments from head to toe. It's the root of their business philosophy. That business philosophy led to them link up with the ABFFC, the United Plant Savers, and the ASD Herb Hub, and through these partnerships, they're able to expand without sacrificing the principles that keep them rooted in who they are. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Featuring Joel and Leah Larabell of High Garden Tea from Nashville, Tennessee. https://www.highgardentea.com/ For more information about botanical business, sustainable sourcing, and forest farming, please visit appalachianforestfarmers.org. These videos are a USDA funded initiative, made in collaboration with Virginia Tech University. Filmed and produced by Priya Jaishankar.

Robin Suggs, Procurement Manager for Appalachian Sustainable Development, discusses two ways to propagate Solomon's seal in its native habitat. Through seed sowing and rhizome division, interested forest farmers and landowners can help ensure that this plant continues to thrive in its preferred habitat on south facing hardwood slopes in moist, rich soil. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Featuring Robin Suggs, Procurement Manager for Appalachian Sustainable Development. https://www.asdevelop.org/ For more information about Solomon Seal, non-timber forest products, and forest farming, please visit appalachianforestfarmers.org. These videos are a USDA funded initiative, made in collaboration with Virginia Tech University. Filmed and produced by Priya Jaishankar.

Robin Suggs, Procurement Manager for Appalachian Sustainable Development discusses identification, and the preferred habitat of Solomon Seal (Polygonatum spp.). By understanding identification and habitat of this species, interested forest farmers and landowners can help ensure that this plant continues to thrive on south facing hardwood slopes in moist, rich soil. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Featuring Robin Suggs, Procurement Manager for Appalachian Sustainable Development. https://www.asdevelop.org/ For more information about Solomon Seal, non-timber forest products, and forest farming, please visit appalachianforestfarmers.org. These videos are a USDA funded initiative, made in collaboration with Virginia Tech University. Filmed and produced by Priya Jaishankar.

Terry Black, owner of Shaw Black Farm, discusses the laws surrounding ginseng in Kentucky. What makes forest farming of ginseng complicated and how does Terry create a business from forest farming? Watch to find out. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Featuring Terry Black of Shaw Black Farm in Kentucky. https://www.shawblackfarm.org/ For more information about stewardship, sustainable sourcing, and forest farming, please visit appalachianforestfarmers.org. These videos are a USDA funded initiative, made in collaboration with Virginia Tech University. Filmed and produced by Priya Jaishankar.

What happens to all of the foraged edibles collected by Digger Jay from Charlottesville, Virginia? They make their way to restaurants in a timely manner. From a quick pickle that tops bruschetta to an infused butter that flavors risotto, the tasty morsels from the woods compliment dishes in a way that store bought ingredients can't compete with. We speak with Chef Landon Saul of Vivace, an Italian restaurant in Charlottesville and learn about the inspiration behind his cuisine. From ramps and morels to a variety of other foraged goods, Digger Jay has introduced some unique flavors that are adopted by curious and creative chefs near and far.

The buzz about wild edibles has been humming for a while now. Shows on the Food Channel have been featuring unique eats for years while social media celebs like @BlackForager bring the beauty of foraging right to your feed, making lesser known wild ingredients more accessible to beginning foragers and the gastronomically curious. But how does one become a professional forager, trusted by chefs and restaurant patrons alike? Digger Jay regales us with the story of his beginnings in this video - how he was trained and how he became known as "Digger Jay" amongst chefs in Charlottesville, Va and beyond.

In this webinar, Jeanine, Margaret, and Joe will talk about growing woodland botanicals other than ginseng. They will put an emphasis on selling and marketing these plants and discuss several types of operations and realistic financial expectations.

In this webinar, Dr. Burkhart will provide some research updates on ginseng forest farming site selection, crop protection, pest/disease management, and emerging leaf harvest opportunities. He will also be joined for the second half of the webinar by forest farmer Ed Daniels (Shady Grove Botanicals, WV) and Anna Plattner and Justin Wexler (Wild Hudson Valley, NY) for a lively discussion of these topics and more.

Hear from Tradd Cotter and Rick Felumlee for an exciting in-depth discussion: beyond the basics of fungi forest farming! With an emphasis on outdoor cultivation, and a handful of species and practices perfectly suited to forest farming