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MacDaniels Nut Grove
What is forest farming?
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Nut Grove Home
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 According to the USDA National Agroforestry Center, "Agroforestry combines agriculture and forestry technologies to create more integrated, diverse, productive, profitable, healthy, and sustainable land-use systems."
A specific agroforestry system called "forest farming" involves planting profitable, shade-tolerant species within an established forest to produce a variety of non-timber forest products such as food, medicinal herbs, ornamentals, or craft materials.
Forest farming is particularly well-suited to the Northeast, where more than 60 percent of small farms have woodlots. Forest farming offers many opportunities for supplemental income through sustainable, environmentally friendly forest- and crop-management practices.
Characteristically, forest farms are relatively small in area but spatially complex. They take advantage of multiple layers within the vertical profile of the forest. In addition to shade, the upper canopy (overstory) of mature trees may provide nuts and fruits. The middle layer may include small trees and woody shrubs, like pawpaws and blueberries. The understory can support herbaceous perennials, like the medicinal herb ginseng.
More information on agroforestry and forest farming:
© Copyright, Department of Horticulture, Cornell University.
Project coordinator: Ken Mudge, kwm2@cornell.edu
Website design: Craig Cramer cdc25@cornell.edu
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