Forest farming is the cultivation of high-value crops under the protection of a managed tree canopy (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2023). Forest farming is an agroforestry practice. Agroforestry is the intentional integration of trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming systems to create environmental, economic, and social benefits (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2023). Some of the crops that can be grown in forest farms are moss, fruit, nuts, herbs, and any plant or fungus that needs shade can grow in a forest farming system (Davis, 2007).

There are forest farms all over the world. There are some local forest farms in the United States of America, such as New Leaf Tree Syrups Farm, located in New York and Vermont. New Leaf Tree Syrup mission is to produce the greatest diversity of single-source, organic and eco-kosher certified saps and syrups (New Leaf Tree Syrups, 2023). This incredible farm has a vision  to protect and utilize woodlands for the greatest diversity of plants, animals, and sustainably harvested products as possible. Not to mention that New Leaf Tree Syrups is the leading brand used by food manufacturers in beverages and packages goods (New Leaf Tree Syrups, 2023).  

Another example of a forest farm is the Generations of Ginseng farm, also known as “Four Prongs”, owned by Blake Dillman. There are two locations, one farm is in Bluefield, Virginia, and the other farm is in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. They have been actively growing ginseng for 7 years and have each year progressed in different areas and began growing my herbs and crops (Rural Action, 2022). What is unique about this farm is it started when a good friend of Blakes named Jim Hamilton, who is the Watauga County Agricultural Extension Agent, found ginseng on his way to Blake’s property in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

One international forest farming example I found is located in the Philippines. One Philippine food forest example is the Vaikuntha Forest Farm which is located in the Sierra Madre mountains in Tanya, which is one of the last remaining rainforests of the Philippines (Philippine Food Forest, 2022). Vaikuntha Food Farm grows a variety of herbs, fruits, and veggies, which are all organically certified. There is a handful of Philippine Food Forest farms that exist in the Philippines which are making a climate difference in so many ways that can help guide us to a life sustaining future.

Forest farming can be both sustainable and non-sustainable. Forest farming can help conserve the species that live within forests and ensure the continuum of biodiversity (Yeo, 2023). Forest farms can also help humans address food insecurity and nutrition. Forest farming increases food security by preserving trees on agricultural land and encouraging natural regeneration by planting more trees and other forest plants (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2021). Agriculture has a significant impact on the environment in many ways. First, it requires a lot of fresh water to keep farm production thriving and efficient. Also, farming is a crucial driver of climate change, producing around one third of global greenhouse gases (Ritchie & Roser, 2022). Forest farming also involved intense labor time to reap the yields of product. Forest farming takes planning and adequate knowledge to develop an efficient forest farm system.

Overall, forest farming has diversified forest management and enhanced agricultural practices. More and more forest farms and food forests are being developed to address our Earth’s climate crisis and food insecurity. Through forest farming, we can fight food insecurity and nutrition, protect our environment, and decrease species loss.

-Posted by Addison