What is Forest Farming?
Forest farming is the intentional cultivation of crops beneath a forest canopy, building on a traditional practice deeply rooted in our region. Many farms in Western North Carolina and the Southern Appalachians include forested land, offering opportunities to learn and grow within these landscapes.
Our forest farm tours and on-farm workshops provide training for both beginning and experienced land stewards. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of woodland botanicals, forest products, and the cultural history tied to these resources.
These programs also highlight ways farmers can integrate forest farming into existing operations—promoting land stewardship, generating supplemental income, and fostering health, respect, and diversity within forest ecosystems.
It is important to recognize that forest farming has long been practiced by Indigenous peoples of this region, who maintain a profound relationship with native plants for food and medicine and remain the original and continuing stewards of these forests.