Food forest is a term for the gardening technique or land management system, which mimics a woodland ecosystem by substituting edible trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals. Fruit and nut trees make up the upper level, while berry shrubs, edible perennials and annuals make up the lower levels. This creates a living system with numerous benefits including wildlife habitat, pollution remediation, abundance of food and medicinal yields, and positive space for community engagement. The Fair Amount Forest will combine aspects of native habitat rehabilitation and carbon sequestration with edible forest gardening.
Fair Amount Food Forest (FAFF) is a collaborative initiative to create an educational and community-driven public food forest in Fairmount Park, which is a source of food, improved nutrition, mental well being, and community gathering.
Photo credit: Beacon Food Forest, Subtledream Photography
As a volunteer-powered community resource, the space would be free to harvest from, while strong community connections are fostered through monthly work parties, weekly shared harvests, and seasonal celebrations.