Food forest is a gardening technique or land management system which mirrors and works with woodland ecosystems by incorporating trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals that produce human food.
Food Forestry, otherwise known as agroforestry, embodies a perspective and land-stewardship practices inherent to indigenous cultures around the world.
In this food forest, fruit and nut trees make up an upper level while smaller trees, berry shrubs, edible and medicinal perennial herbs and annuals make up lower levels similar to a woodland edge and the ecology of secondary forest succession. This creates a living system with numerous benefits including:
Food Forestry, otherwise known as agroforestry, embodies a perspective and land-stewardship practices inherent to indigenous cultures around the world.
In this food forest, fruit and nut trees make up an upper level while smaller trees, berry shrubs, edible and medicinal perennial herbs and annuals make up lower levels similar to a woodland edge and the ecology of secondary forest succession. This creates a living system with numerous benefits including:
- Wildlife habitat
- Resilient biodiversity
- Abundance of food and medicinal yields
- Carbon sequestration
- Increased tree canopy
- Healthy and stable soils
- Runoff reduction and rainwater infiltration
- Local food security
- Community gathering and all ages education