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Join us for Forest Farming Office Hours, where we meets by zoom to discuss forest farming topics and updates. AFFC's Forest Farming Office Hours 2025 Join the Appalachian Forest Farmer Coalition and NC State University Extension for Q & A, resources, and conversation about forest farming. All regions and experience levels are welcome. All Forest Farming Office Hours take place on ZOOM on designated Fridays from 12 noon to 1:30 pm EST. We realize that some may not be able to attend a lunch session so we invite you to look through our meeting notes, links and resources, as well as bring your questions to our Forest Farming group on FB . These zoom sessions are not recorded. Forest Farming Office Hours Email List This is email list sends FFOH announcements, registration links, and reminders, and is separate from the AFFC general mailing list. Forest Farming Office Hours Spring 2025 Friday, April 4th, 2025 12:00 - 1:30 PM EST Friday, May 9th, 2025 12:00 - 1:30 PM EST Meeting Agenda 1. Welcome 2. Short Introductions (Name, region, topic) 3. Seasonal Forest Farming Discussion 4. Q&A 5. Resources & Events 6. End at 1:30pm Past Office Hours (2022 - 2024)

The Wild Stewards Alliance is a point-of-harvest initiative that offers free training on industry best practices, and certification to wild harvesters and dealers of woodland roots, barks, and herbs. WSA works with both producers and buyers. Wild Stewards Alliance The Wild Stewards Alliance is a point-of-harvest initiative that offers free training on industry best practices, and certification to wild harvesters and dealers of woodland roots, barks, and herbs. Our goals are to: Grow a trained and certified workforce of wild stewards to meet rising demand Create a sustainable supply chain of woodland botanicals for generations to come Ensure wild harvested botanicals meet top-quality standards Secure fair wages for certified producers to improve rural livelihoods Keep the deep-rooted traditions of wildcrafting alive in Appalachia From 2022-24, the Wild Stewards Alliance: trained and certified 108 wild harvesters and dealers in VA, TN and KY sold 856 pounds of woodland roots, barks, and herbs supplied certified botanicals to 9 buyers across the U.S. and Canada This initiative is currently being piloted by Virginia Tech and Appalachian Sustainable Development’s Appalachian Harvest Herb Hub in Central Appalachia. About WSA Producer Spotlight Past Trainings For Buyers For Producers Are you looking for forest roots, herbs, or barks that are high quality and sustainably harvested? The Wild Stewards Alliance is here to meet your needs! This network of certified producers is trained and inspected on industry best practices, to ensure top quality and to steward botanicals for future generations of harvesters. Benefits to You sustainable, ethical sourcing verified wild-stewarded supply high quality roots, barks and herbs access to a trained harvester network enhanced sourcing traceability reliable, one-stop shop for aggregated supply How it Works Advanced purchase orders for certified supply can be placed each winter with ASD’s Appalachian Harvest Herb Hub. Founded in 2017, ASD opened the very first Herb Hub in the country to provide the herbal industry with Appalachia’s highest quality botanicals, backed by top-notch customer service. To learn more about the order process, please visit ASD’s website below. Contact Our Sales Team: Katie Commender, Appalachian Sustainable Development: kcommender@asdevelop.org Order Process: Herb Hub Katie Commender (ASD) If you are a dealer or harvester of wild roots, herbs and barks who is interested in: learning more about the best ways to collect and prepare botanicals for market selling top quality roots, herbs and barks, and getting paid more for your efforts… then you may be a good fit for joining with our Wild Stewards Alliance! Our Certification Program trains you on: plant identification propagation and stewardship sustainable harvest post-harvest handling storage & processing Benefits of becoming certified: top pay for top quality and stewardship plant resources are sustained for generations to come industry recognition and voice participation in a member-led group access to a like-minded community for networking and opportunity increased land access How it Works The Wild Stewards Alliance works with existing dealers and their harvester network to increase membership and sales of certified material. Member dealers and harvesters receive professional training to ensure only the best materials reach Wild Stewards Alliance customers. Trained and certified dealers and harvesters receive top dollar for certified material marketed through the Wild Stewards Alliance network. Would you like to get certified as a Wild Stewards Alliance dealer? Step 1: Contact us today (contact info below)! Step 2: Arrange a Wild Stewards Alliance training session with your harvester network Step 3: Get certified Would you like to get certified as a Wild Stewards Alliance wild harvester? Step 1: Contact your nearest Wild Stewards Alliance dealer Step 2: Attend a training S tep 3: Get certified Contact Our Training Team Robin Suggs, Appalachian Sustainable Development: rsuggs@asdevelop.org John Munsell, Virginia Tech: jfmunsel@vt.edu Point of Harvest Price List (printbale pdf) Wild Stewards Alliance Standards Agreement Robin Suggs (ASD) John Munsell (VT) Wild Stewards Alliance: Producer Spotlight Donnie and Carol, wild herb harvesters from east KY, attended the very first Wild Stewards Alliance training in 2022 to learn about safety, plant identification, sustainable harvesting, processing, storage, and more. They became the very first stewards to get certified. Carol, a 3rd generation wild harvester, praises the Wild Stewards Alliance for deepening her understanding of the importance of sustainability, saying it taught them "how to preserve, how to save." After the training, Carol is happy to now pass that knowledge on. "It's not what you take, it's what you leave behind. Be good to nature, and nature will be good to you." Wild Stewards Alliance Program Trainings

The ABFFC calendar features training, workshops, webinars and regional events, from the ABFFC as well as our partners. Please like and follow our Facebook page to keep up to date about online learning opportunities from our partners! Community Forest Farming Calendar The Community Forest Farming Calendar features online and in person events, workshops, webinars from the Appalachian Forest Farmer Coalition and our partners . On demand videos and webinars are available in our Forest Farming Video Library . View Calendar on Homepage AFFC's Forest Farming Office Hours Northeast Forest Farming Coalition Events Midwest Forest Farming Coalition Events View Past Events

Proposed Work Long Term Goals Regional Toolkit Project Design ARC Alignment Project Activity Regional Activities Technical Initiatives Accelerating Forest Farming in Central Appalachia: Strengthening Market Connections and Collaboration for Long-Term Sector Impact and Sustainability Accelerating Forest Farming in Central Appalachia: Strengthening Market Connections and Collaboration for Long-Term Sector Impact and Sustainability” is a regional and multistate project designed to support continued expansion of the ABFFC work and prepare for ARISE implementation funding. The work will result in long-term transformational goals all critical to establishment of the Appalachian forest farmers as leaders in this global market. Proposed Work Long Term Goals Proposed Work – Planning into Implementation The ARISE Project uses a multifaceted strategy to support Appalachian forest farmers, traditional wild harvesters who implement sustainable forest farming methods, and associated regional stakeholders. The planning work prepares for a five-year project to accelerate technical assistance, value-added market and technology development, sector capacity and efficiency initiatives, as well as efforts to raise industry investments and consumer awareness all of which underpin the economic viability of individual and collective business ventures across Central Appalachia and increase the long-term sustainability of a value-added NTFP supply chain. The project strengthens existing partnerships and programs in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Proposed programs and services will deliver a broad spectrum of market-centered opportunities for Appalachian residents and localities to transform a deeply rooted, traditional economic sector and create a sustainable platform for continued growth as the marketplace evolves. Planning will allow for an intensive focus on some of Appalachia’s most distressed communities, places where many individuals have knowledge of and experience with NTFPs but have long been poorly compensated for their efforts. Further, access to individuals in these communities can be challenging for a variety of reasons (lack of broadband, limits to enterprise development due to income challenges, despair factors linked to persistent poverty). The planning project will establish implementation methods and pathways to expand outreach, increase value-added trade, and encourage participation in a rising trend: just compensation and increased economic benefits for the citizens and communities where these natural resources thrive. This multistate project will touch 133 counties across Central Appalachia in seven states. Long Term Implementation Goals The work will result in long-term transformational goals all critical to establishment of the Appalachian forest farmers as leaders in this global market. Long-term transformational goals include: Position Central Appalachia’s forest farming sector at the forefront of the region’s future bio-economy; Become the global marketing, processing, aggregation, and distribution model for sustainable forest farmed products; Capture an unprecedented share of local, regional, national, and international value-added forest farming markets; Develop an Appalachian forest farming brand recognized the world over; Ramp and revolutionize forest farming planting stock, seed sales, mycelium and spore production, and tree-tapping equipment enterprises; Elevate, coordinate, and connect forest farming tourism, cultural identity, and justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives; Grow the number of financially sound forest farming businesses predicated on sustainable whole-forest management; Leverage and sustain highly successful ongoing technical training and assistance for forest farmers and technical service provider consultants; Increase the reach and impact of current forest farming business recruitment, public awareness, and workforce development programs through product placement, experiential and technical education, and community engagement and tourism initiatives; Expand market activity and the physical presence of medium- and large-scale forest farming dependent industries in Appalachia; Celebrate Appalachian forest farmers as ecosystem services stewards who protect land, water and air quality, climate,biodiversity, and other natural resources; and Spur the next phase of Appalachian forest farming in meaningful, impactful, and sustainable bioeconomic regional development. Regional Toolkit Intersecting the ARISE Regional Multistate Collaboration Toolkit Insights and Strategies Project Design Project Design Process and Figures Section ARC Alignment Project Activity Alignment with ARC Strategic Investment Goals and Objectives Primary ARC Goal: Building Appalachian Businesses - Individual producers become small- and medium-sized business owners through technical assistance and participation in regional activities. Existing businesses (forest farming operations, primary buyers, nurseries, cottage businesses, tourism enterprise) expand revenue as supply chains grow and national and international investments increases. Secondary ARC Goals: Building Appalachia’s Workforce Ecosystem - By building and strengthening relationships, and coordinating and facilitating trainings, we will create an enabling environment for agroforestry to be a viable industry cluster for Central Appalachia. Building Regional Culture and Tourism - Appalachia has a rich history of forested homesteading combined with use and celebration of our resilient and fecund forest commons. Build producer networks, NTFP markets, and connecting these with the broader tourism economy allows this rich history to take center stage in narratives about Appalachia, and in tourist experiences of Appalachia. Project Activity Rationale, Framing, and Coordination The following summary identifies key focus areas, informed by previous and ongoing work, specifically designed to address the need for additional resources and expansion of the ABFFC footprint for transformational sector growth. The impact of ABFFC initiatives to date is clear. Training and recruitment events are sold out, the number and scale of forest farms is growing, forest farming is increasingly celebrated in regional, national, and international media, communities in the region increasingly extol forest farming, and sector challenges and opportunities have led to on-the-ground solutions. Building on the coalition’s success requires additional investments to expand sector growth and sustainability. The number of potential forest farmers who seek assistance is on the rise in terms of enterprise development (such as start-up support and training) with potential to maximize returns on investments. They seek business diversification by incorporating NTFPs into their production systems and/or by participating in substantial public and private investments in climate-smart commodities as well as carbon sequestration and water quality trading income streams. The project is designed to maximize impact using known strengths of ABFFC partners to support specialized technical activities combined with partner organizations who bring standing networks and relationships along with deep knowledge of their respective landscapes and goals. Knowledge and skills are shared across the seven-state region with a neutral facilitator assisting in the equitable distribution of financial resources, project administration, and scheduling support. The framework for managing a balanced and broadly impactful project occurs across two simultaneous tracks: 1) sub-region baseline activities that continue producer recruitment and support, market connections and promotion, and sector sustainability; and, 2) region-wide technical initiatives that address existing bottlenecks identified over the course of the Coalition’s growth. Regional Activities Sub-region Baseline Activities Local partner organizations oversee direct engagement and support in their particular areas of responsibility, known in this project as a sub-region (state, collection of counties). Baseline activities include providing technical assistance and training along with producer and entrepreneurial recruitment and outreach. Outreach and support activities also engage existing technical service providers to integrate agroforestry support services into existing land-use programs. As needed, the VT/ABFFC facilitator coordinates support by local or regional partners. Newer and longstanding partners are positioned to expand the ABFFC footprint and its role in continuing regional growth. This allows for provision of coalition-forged practices to a broad region. Further, because local partners best understand their networks and localities, community engagement and public awareness/education are delivered through them to realize proximal impacts supporting coherent multi-state goals and objectives. Local community engagement activities receive support through the neutral facilitator/lead applicant by connecting with communications and outreach professionals engaged in the project. These measures include an intentional focus on traditionally underserved communities (BIPOC, LGBTQ+, women, socially disadvantaged) based upon an ongoing financial producer support program funded by a private family foundation. To summarize, sub-region baseline activities include: Continuation of technical assistance and training, as well as ongoing market development Producer/business recruitment and outreach Community engagement and public awareness/education including direct engagement with local development district and locality leadership Region-wide Technical Initiatives Select partner organizations address specific challenges identified through ongoing work and prepare the cluster to accelerate regional and direct producer impact. Leadership assignments are based on specialized expertise and experience that chosen partner organizations possess and are informed by input from all partner organizations via technical topic committees. Initiative leaders are also responsible for advancing the state of knowledge in their respective technical specialties and distributing information along with documenting findings for distribution to all participants across the region. It is important to note that all technical leaders receive a high level of support from other organizations. Cooperative relationships exist through past and ongoing ABFFC efforts, allowing for efficient and effective launching of proposed work by virtue of ARISE investments. Technical activities have been identified as critical needs in order to advance the Appalachian agroforestry economic cluster toward a broadly coordinated and efficient regional NTFP sector: Technical Initiatives

The aim of the Appalachian Forest Farmers Coalition is to connect the various agencies, groups, people and resources with an interest in our forests. What better way to do that than creating an inclusive Forest Farming community, as diverse as our forests themselves? Comprised of forest far Forest Farming Community The aim of the Appalachian Forest Farmers Coalition is to connect the various forest farmers, partners and groups, community projects, organizations and universities that are taking part in growing the future of forest farming and agroforestry in Appalachia and beyond. There are plenty of ways to participate in the forest farming community person and virtually: Regional Partner Organizations host regular in-person and online events. Use the map below to explore or find links to our partners below. AFFC's Forest Farming Office Hours is a monthly discussion about forest farming topics, Q&As, and to hear about what other farmers are doing in their neck of the woods. Follow our page or join our group on facebook to stay up to date about opportunities, events, ask questions to the group, and more. AFFC's email list shares all of this and more through occasional email announcements, news and updates, as well as virtual and hands on learning opportunities across the Appalachian region. The Forest Farming Video Library on YouTube is home to 200+ on demand videos and webinars about non timber forest products, forest botanicals, value added products and more. Click to open and explore AFFC Partners in Google Maps Partners Partner Universities Supporting Organizations AFFC Partners AFFC Partner Universities AFFC Supporting Organizations Funding for the Appalachian Forest Farmer Coalition has been sponsored by The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program

2022 ABFFC Partner Events A big thank you to all of our participants and hosts in the ABFFC partner events of 2022. From the mountains of Western North Carolina to the forests of Pocahontas County, West Virginia, forest farmers from all around gathered to share in hands-on learning opportunities and community building. Please see highlights for each events below and be sure to keep up with our regional partners! If you are a beginning forest farmer, we invite you join our newsletter to hear about forest farming news, updates and events near you, or bring your forest farming questions to our FB community . 2022 West Virginia Forest Farming Forum 2022 Southern Ohio Forest Farming Conference 2022 WNC Forest Farming Series 2022 Sassafras Moon Herbal Festival & Forest Farming Conference WVFFF 2022 West Virginia Forest Farming Forum We would like to thank all of our partner groups and attendees for making the 2022 West Virginia forest farming forum a huge success in Marlinton WV! On Saturday we enjoyed a beautiful day of networking and learning with teachers and speakers, culminating in a dinner at the Pocahontas County Opera House. Thanks to all who visited the Yew Mountain Center on Sunday to finish off the weekend with yet another day of immersive learning. Please continue to stay in touch and utilize the resources provided by Yew Mountain Center and the ABFFC. If you have any follow-up questions, we invite you to get in touch or ask and start discussions about forest farming topics in our FB group . SOFFC 2022 Southern Ohio Forest Farming Conference We would like to thank all of our partner groups and attendees for making the 2022 Southern Ohio Forest Farming Conference a wonderful event for two years running! All weekend we enjoyed the amazing hospitality of the United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary and our hosts Rural Action , as we covered all the forest farming bases, from beginner basics to advanced business practices. Please stay in touch and utilize our forest farming resources. If you have any follow-up questions, we invite you to get in touch or ask and start discussions about forest farming topics in our FB group. WNC FFS 2022 WNC Forest Farming Series Thank you for a wonderful series of forest farming workshops and tours in Western North Carolina! With our partners the Organic Growers School , this series was based on the format for the CRAFT Farmer Network and Tour program, which connects beginning and experienced farmers and producers throughout the WNC region. " Integrating Forest Farming into Existing Farm Enterprises " at Thatchmore Farm Our June session at Thatchmore Farm , "Integrating Forest Farming into Existing Farm Enterprises " had a great group. From heating greenhouses with wood, to yaupon holly and ramp propagation we had a day full of learning and sharing. Thank you to our hosts Tom, Karen, and Liz Elmore for sharing your time and knowledge. " Encouraging Mushroom Production within a Forest Ecosystem: A Practical Approach to Collaborating with Nature " at the Forest Farmacy In August we went to Madison County, NC for "Encouraging Mushroom Production within a Forest Ecosystem: A Practical Approach to Collaborating with Nature " with Forest Farmacy . We enjoyed a lovely day of integrating fungi into the forest farm practices. Our hosts Chris Parker and Kat Houghton generously shared their amazing knowledge and land. We got our hands dirty inoculating straw with spawn for participants to bring home. " Planting and Propagation of Forest Farmed Botanicals " at Green Heart Gardens We concluded the series in August at Green Heart Gardens in Buncombe County, NC. Our host Lori Burra of HerbMamma , offered her knowledge of planting a wild simulated forest farm and diverse methods for producing woodland botanicals and stewarding the forest plants. Participants enjoyed a beautiful afternoon with propagation, planting, and ginseng seed-sowing activities. 2022 Sassafras Moon Herbal Festival & Forest Farming Conference SassyFest What a plant-filled and inspiring weekend! A giant thank you to our hosts, partners, vendors and everyone who attended. We are grateful to be part of this wonderful event and this outstanding community. Read more about SassyFest here! On September 24, an incredible 2,500 people attended the Sassafras Moon Herbal Festival in downtown Erwin, TN to explore products from 40+ herbal vendors and learn from speakers at 7 FREE herbal classes. Then, on September 25, ABFFC & ASD co-hosted the SOLD OUT Sassafras Moon Forest Farming Conference at Blackberry Blossom Farm. We enjoyed concurrent classroom sessions in the morning and hands-on learning stations at a local forest farm throughout the afternoon.

Catalyzing A groforestry Grant Program Thank you for your interest in the Catalyzing Agroforestry Grant Program! This program has moved to a new website. Please visit CatalyzingAgroforestry.org to learn more about the 2025 Catalyzing Agroforestry Grant Program (CAGP), and the Agroforestry Regional Knowledge Exchange (ARKx) Networ k. catalyzingagroforestry.org

Oh dear. This is 40forest error. Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt. - John Muir Back to Homepage

2023 Southern Ohio Forest Farming Conference Southern Ohio Forest Farming Conference Join us for Everything Forest Farming: From Site Selection to Post Harvest Handling Practices The 2023 Southern Ohio Forest Farming Conference will provide participants with opportunities to learn about multiple forest farming topics and strategies including site selection, plant propagation, grafting, elderberry production, harvesting, post-harvest handling, processing, and business planning, as well as medicinal plant walks. The conference has a line-up of highly experienced instructors that will enable participants to gain a broad understanding of the many aspects and opportunities of forest farming. All levels of experience welcome! 2023 SOFFC Registration open July 10th! 2023 Southern Ohio Forest Farming Conference - Registration 2023 SOFFC Schedule 2023 SOFFC Speaker Bios

Join us for a series of 5 free webinars: Forest Farming In Focus! Each webinar we will discuss a different NTFP species in-depth with experts and experienced forest farmers! Forest Farming In Focus: A Deeper Dive Winter Webinar Series (2022) Thank you to everyone who joined us live for our 2022 winter webinar series! We now maintain this webinar series as an online resource for beginning and experienced forest farmers. Read on to find webinar resources for this series including: -Pre-webinar packet (101 level & basics) -Webinar recordings and presentation slides "Forest Farming In Focus" is a series of 5 winter webinars that are designed to be a deeper dive into forest farming species, topics and practices. In 2022, AFFC and our partners joined hands to create this special webinar series for experienced forest farmers who want to dive deeper into common non-timber forest products and expand their understanding of forest farming species and practices. Each webinar in this series will bring together experts in the field, experienced forest farmers, and learning resources for our topic. Together we will explore forest farming species and practices, as well as engage in discussions with experienced forest farmers with years of expertise. webinar series on youtube more forest farming videos Tree Saps & Syrups Forest Farming Ramps Forest Farming Fungi Forest Farming Ginseng Goldenseal & other NTFPs Tree Saps & Syrups 201: A Deeper Tap into Species, Processes, and Products Join Kate Fotos of Future Generations University and a panel of producers as they step into the world of saps and syrups produced from maple and other tree species. Learn how production processes vary by species to ensure quality, and take a tour of the latest technologies and value-added strategies. Kate Fotos of Future Generations University Britney Hervey Farris of Family Roots Farm Rachel Taylor of Frostmore Farm Missy Moyers-Jarrells of Laurel Fork Sapsuckers Syrups - Pre Webinar Resource (pdf) "Digging Deeper into Ramp Forest Farming" In this webinar, Dr. Burkhart will provide the latest research updates on ramp forest farming, site selection, nutritional and medicinal properties, as well as sustainable husbandry and harvest methods. He will also be joined in the second half of the webinar by Steve Schwartz of Delaware Valley Ramps (Equinunk, PA) for a lively discussion. Eric Burkhart of Penn State University Steve Schwartz of Delaware Valley Ramps Ramps - Pre Webinar Resource (pdf) Beyond the Basics: Forest Farming Fungi Join Hannah Hemmelgarn and 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, we will hear from Hannah and our special line up of top experts with years of knowledge and experience in forest fungi productions. Hannah Hemmelgarn of University of Missouri Tradd Cotter of Mushroom Mountain Rick Felumlee of Mayapple Farms Fungi - Pre Webinar Resource (pdf) "Digging deeper into ginseng forest farming" 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. Eric Burkhart of Penn State University Ed & Carole Daniels, Shady Grove Botanicals Anna Plattner & Justin Wexler, Wild Hudson Valley Ginseng - Pre Webinar Resource (pdf) "How to make money growing Goldenseal and other NTFPs" In this webinar, Jeanine Davis, Margaret Bloomquist, and Joe from 'up the creek' 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. Jeanine Davis and Margaret Bloomquist of NCSU's New Crops and Organics Program Joe from "Up the Creek" in Western North Carolina Goldenseal - Pre Webinar Resource (pdf)

September 17 - 18th, 2021 Join ABFFC and our partners Appalachian Sustainable Development in Duffield, Virginia to learn about forest farming - from propagation to processing. Forest Farming Intensive Propagation to Processing ~Event Resources~ Thank you for attending our Forest Farming Intensive! We hope you enjoyed the sessions and this corner of Virginia. Below you can find links to the video of Katherine Crane's talk and some Appalachian Harvest handouts. If you would like more information about Appalachian Sustainable Development you can find them online HERE . If you would like to receive emails about ABFFC workshops in 2022, please sign up here ! Keynote Video: Katheryn Crane of Mountain Rose Herbs Appalachian Harvest and ASD handouts: ASD Case Studies: Forest Farmers & Medicinal Herb Farmers AH Herb Hub Overview & Flyer AH Herb Hub Price Lists Katheryn Crane Keynote Speaker: Katheryn Crane of Mountain Rose Herbs Case Studies ASD Case Studies: Forest Farmers & Medicinal Herb Farmers Herb Hub AH Herb Hub Overview & Flyer Price Lists AH Herb Hub Price Lists

Forest farming is an agroforestry practice which cultivates medicinal, edible, decorative, and handicraft crops under a forest canopy that is managed to provide shade levels and habitat which favor growth and enhance production. An Introduction to Forest Farming Page under construction - check back soon. Forest farming is an agroforestry practice which cultivates medicinal and edible plants and fungi, traditional craft and decorative materials, bulk material, and more under a forest canopy that is managed to provide ideal shade levels and habitat. Though many cultures from here and around the world have always tended the forest and and harvested food, medicine, and other necessities, the modern agroforestry practice of forest farming focuses on the cultivation, stewardship and sustainable harvest of these diverse and important resources mostly on a larger scale. These days, the benefits of forest farming are many. Locally, forest farming benefits the forest and its inhabitants through management and conservation, as well as families, communities and consumers by way of economic opportunities and the availability of forest products. On a larger scale, broad agroforestry and forest farming adoption by farmers, private landowners and communities has much potential for the conservation through cultivation of at-risk species, diversity and local/traditional foodways, regenerative agriculture, sustainable sourcing, carbon sequestration and more. Most agroforestry practices usually involve incorporating trees into other agricultural practices (i.e alley cropping: planting annual crops between rows of trees, and windbreaks: strategically placed rows of trees to decrease wind or snow load), forest farming generally focuses on the cultivation of forest species under an existing forest canopy. Unlike high-production annual farm and garden crops which need full sun and amendments, forest-obligate species are well adapted to shade and competition on the forest floor including from the trees themselves. This results in many factors that can affect cultivation, namely slow growth, changing stages, susceptibility to wildlife and several other considerations. Sometimes, key forest farming species are already naturally occurring, but may need a helping hand to grow into larger populations that can directly support sustainable harvests , which is why good stewardship is a key concept and practice for forest farmers. Forest farming also provides several opportunities for land owners, families and communities to benefit while managing, protecting and conserving the forests for the future. Non timber forest products and value added products from the forest are the foundations of income derived from forest farming. From root harvests and raw materials to finished products on market tables and store shelves, everyone is likely familiar with at least one forest product. Gleaming bottles of maple syrup, the famous -and infamous- ramps or wild leeks festivals every spring, and world famous medicinal roots; these are all generously provided by the forest. When these natural resources are well managed, stewarded and sustainably harvested, not only do they give much to the forest ecosystem, but also provide comfort, sustenance, food, medicine, income and more to those who learn to live with -and from- the forest. Key Forest Farming Terms and Concepts Forest Botanicals within the practice of forest farming include any number of plants species that are produced by a forest farm. Typically these forest (shade) obligate species are also native plants and often naturally occurring across the Appalachian region. Popular species include: American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius ), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis ), black cohosh (Actaea racemosa ), solomon seal (Polygonatum biflorum ), and many others. Forest Management is fundamental for obvious reasons. As forest farming is a long term endeavor, the ongoing health and continued management of a forest can create or incorporate forest farming opportunities, help restore or enhance biodiversity, and more. Fortunately, there are lots of national, regional and local resources, groups and professionals that can be of assistance landowners. Documents, maps and various levels of planning are all very useful tools for potential and beginning forest farmers. Non timber forest products (NTFPs) are products that come from the forest that are not the result of commercial timber harvest. Examples include: tree saps, edible plants, nuts and fruit, medicinal plants and roots, forest grown mushrooms, live planting stock, craft and decorative supplies and bulk materials like pine straw. Site Assessment is the process of evaluating a forest site for future forest farming purposes. Site Preparation is how forest farmers prepare forest areas for new plantings using seeds or planting stock. Value added products (VAPs) from the forest are products that have been changed, enhanced or stabilized for extended shelf life. Many NTFPs can be processed and made into market ready goods including: jams, jellies or preserves, tree saps and syrups, tea or tea blends, tinctures, essential oils, crafts, dried mushrooms, spices and more. What is Forest Farming? FAQ Who Are Forest Farmers? First, it is very important to acknowledge, honor and respect the indigenous peoples and their practice of stewardship and land management. The first nations have been stewards, foragers, and farmers since time immemorial, and continue these practices to this day. Individuals and families: Forestland owners are incredibly interested in forest farming. Opportunities abound to bring supplemental income, partially relieve tax burdens and invest in the future of families and forests. However, unlike traditionally agriculture with clear seasons, harvests and yields, forest farming is generally a longer term investment, but one with potentially higher values. Forest farming can also be a legacy endeavor of conserving forests, and a family's land well into the future. Communities An ever-growing group of communities now sees the need for community supported agriculture (CSAs), and forest farming is yet another opportunity for folks to come together to make plans, build visions and create these local, resilient and economically viable projects using forest farming and other agroforestry practices. Technical Services Though always high on the list of interests, non-timber forest products and forest farming assistance are generally limited and associated forest resource inventory and habitat management planning services scarce. However, markets for forest farmed products are evolving quickly and forest farming education and networking has increased in the past several years. Improving management services, education and outreach has never been more important. What do forest farmers need? To develop the operational capacity needed to capitalize on emerging markets, forest farmers need technical, administrative, market sales, and state regulatory training and support related to production using forest grown verification, organic production, and best handling and processing practices. They also need access to extension and state agency personnel that are prepared to assist them with forest resource assessments and medicinal plant habitat management.