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AFFC Forest Farming Office Hours 2024 We welcome you to join us in our Forest Farming Office Hours Series! Join NC State Extension and friends of the AFFC for Q&A, updates, and conversation about forest farming. All regions and experience levels are welcome! ​ We realiz e that some may not be able to attend a l unch session so we invite you to look through our forthcoming meeting notes of links and resources, as well as bring your questions to our Forest Farming group on FB . These zoom sessions are not recorded at this time. Email questions to Margaret_Bloomquist@ncsu.edu with subject line "Forest Farming Office Hours" or hop on Zoom to join the info session. Forest Farming Office Hours: Email List Forest Farming Office Hours Spring 2024 ​ Join NC State Extension and friends of the AFFC for Q&A, updates, and conversation about forest farming. All regions and experience levelS are welcome! ​ Please send questions in advance to: Margaret_Bloomquist@ncsu.edu ​ Friday, April 12 from 12 noon - 1:30 on ZOOM ​ Friday, May 10 from 12 noon - 1:30 on ZOOM Notes, links and resources from previous Forest Farming Office Hours coming soon!

Community Forest Farming Calendar The Community Forest Farming Calendar features training, workshops, webinars and regional events, from the AFFC and our partners . Please be sure to follow along in our Facebook page and community to keep up to date about online learning opportunities from our partners. Forest Farming Office Hours View Past Events Community Forest Farming Calendar View Past Events

About the AFFC The Appalachian Forest Farmer Coalition (formerly Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition) is a network of forest farmers, forestland owners, universities, governmental and non-governmental organizations that share a common goal of improving agroforestry production opportunities and farming capabilities among forest farmers. ​ Our collective aim is to increase awareness of forest-grown medicinal, edible plants and products (non-timber forest products or NTFPs ) through education and relationship building, and support conservation efforts through stewardship of existing plant populations and forest farming of these native botanicals. AFFC Team John Munsell, AFFC Project Director Professor and Forest Management Extension Specialist, Department of Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation Virginia Tech​ Margaret Bloomquist, AFFC Associate Director Research Associate, Horticultural Science North Carolina State University Sara Jackson, Website & Admin Bat Cave Designs, Bat Cave, NC Maintains and develops this website and resources. Priya Jaishankar, Videographer ABFFC Partner Organizations Funding for the Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition has been sponsored by The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program ​ ABFFC Partner Universities ABFFC Supporting Organizations

Southern Ohio Forest Farming Conference Join us for Everything Forest Farming: From Site Selection to Post Harvest Handling Practices The 2023 Southern Ohio Forest Farming Conference will provide participants with opportunities to learn about multiple forest farming topics and strategies including site selection, plant propagation, grafting, elderberry production, harvesting, post-harvest handling, processing, and business planning, as well as medicinal plant walks. The conference has a line-up of highly experienced instructors that will enable participants to gain a broad understanding of the many aspects and opportunities of forest farming. All levels of experience welcome! 2023 SOFFC Registration open July 10th! 2023 Southern Ohio Forest Farming Conference - Registration 2023 SOFFC Schedule 2023 SOFFC Speaker Bios

ABFFC New Initiatives These projects-in-development are part of the ABFFC's goal of bringing better forest farming resources to the Appalachians and beyond! Please help us learn more about the needs of forest farmers like you buy filling out our short surveys on each page. Thank you in advance! ARC ARISE ARC ARISE Point of Harvest Program POH American Forest Farming Association AFFA Catalyzing Agroforestry Grant Program EMEF

Forest Farming: In Focus A Deeper Dive 2022 Winter Webinar Series Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 2022 winter webinar series! ​ While this webinar series might be over, the ABFFC and our partners are working on the next series! Please become a member, join our FB group or reach out to tell us what you think, and what kinds of forest farming topics you would like to see next! ​ Scroll down this page to find all webinar resources for this series! -Pre webinar resource pdfs (101 level & basics) -Webinar recordings -Presentation slides ​ Click here to view all recorded webinars (on YouTube)! About our 2022 Winter Webinar Series "Forest Farming In Focus" is a series of 5 winter webinars that are designed to be a deeper dive into forest farming species, topics and practices. ​ ABFFC and our partners have joined forces to create this special webinar series for experienced forest farmers* who want to dive deeper into common non-timber forest products and expand their understanding of forest farming species and practices. ​ Each webinar in this series will bring together experts in the field, experienced forest farmers, and learning resources for our topic. Together we will explore forest farming species and practices, as well as engage in discussions with experienced forest farmers with years of expertise. ​ *While these webinars are more in-depth than most of our beginner level website resources, we invite beginner forest farmers, and those who are less familiar with these species to review our pre webinar resources to learn about the basics prior to each event. ​ ​ Saps & Syrups "Tree Saps & Syrups 201: A Deeper Tap into Species, Processes, and Products" Kate Fotos of Future Generations University Britney Hervey Farris of Family Roots Farm Rachel Taylor of Frostmore Farm Missy Moyers-Jarrells of Laurel Fork Sapsuckers Webinar Presentation Slides (pdf) Syrups - Pre Webinar Resource (pdf) Ramps "Digging Deeper into Ramp Forest Farming" Eric Burkhart of Penn State University Steve Schwartz of Delaware Valley Ramps Ramps - Pre Webinar Resource (pdf) Ramps- Presentation Slides Goods from the Woods - Delaware Valley Ramps Fungi Beyond the Basics: Forest Farming Fungi Hannah Hemmelgarn of University of Missouri Tradd Cotter of Mushroom Mountain Rick Felumlee of Mayapple Farms Fungi - Pre Webinar Resource (pdf) Ginseng "Digging deeper into ginseng forest farming" Eric Burkhart of Penn State University Ed & Carole Daniels, Shady Grove Botanicals Anna Plattner & Justin Wexler, Wild Hudson Valley Ginseng - Pre Webinar Resource (pdf) Ginseng Webinar Slides (pdf) Goldenseal "How to make money growing Goldenseal and other NTFPs" ​ Jeanine Davis and Margaret Bloomquist of North Carolina State University Joe from "up the creek" in the High Country of Western North Carolina ​ Goldenseal - Pre Webinar Resource (pdf) Presented by:

Forest Farming Centers & Facilities The Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition is housed at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, VA, but our partners span the length and breadth of the Appalachians (and beyond). This regional map is a list of our partners and their locations as well as facilities, training locations and places of interest to the forest farming community. ABFFC Regional Map Education, Training & Community Centers Northern Centers Shaver's Creek @ Penn State ​ ​ UPS Goldenseal Sanctuary Western Mass Food Processing Center Commercial kitchen, plus entrepreneurial and natural products opportunities Appalachian Center for Economic Networks Food and business incubator (Ohio) Athens Business Incubator Nelsonville Business Center and Food Hub ​ ​ Southern Centers ​ Warren Wilson College ​ ​ The Yew Mountain Center Eastern Carolina Food Ventures Incubator Kitchen (Warsaw, SC) Blue Ridge Food Ventures – A natural product incubator – "11,000 square-foot shared use kitchen and natural products manufacturing facility". Supports product development, regulation navigation, marketing, equipment for bottling/packaging, etc. (Asheville, NC) Piedmont Food and Ag Processing Center (Hillsborough, Eastern NC) AH Herb Hub Overview & Flyer

Forest Farming Non-Timber Forest Products The suite of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) is quite vast but is contingent upon regional climate and forest type. These videos are meant to provide detailed information on a variety of NTFPs, including their natural ecosystem, methods of propagation, and harvest times. ​ Intro Edibles Medicinals Syrups Craft & Decorations Seeds & Plant Stock Other NTFPs We have over 150 forest farming videos! Be sure to check out & subscribe to our YouTube channel. intro What are NTFPs? Simply put, NTFPs are non-timber forest products . NTFPs are a growing category of products that are grown and harvested from the forest. Though forest farming practices sometimes require canopy control through thinning or selective cutting for health and light, in general, NTFPs are non timber species and products that grow under the trees. NTFPs can be sustainably harvested species like ramps (Allium tricoccum ), or even stages of certain species like American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius ) leaf, root, or seeds. The specialized species, products and harvests are as unique as each forest and farmer. No two are exactly the same. Many of these species can then be processed for wholesale or become value added products , which increases the price point and reaches different markets. ​ A key tenant of forest farming is to identify, cultivate, steward and harvest these NTFPS under the forest canopy. Many NTFP species might be naturally occuring, and others might need to be introduced, and many of these crops can take many years to establish and reach harvestable size/age. However, forest farming relies on forest's unique ecology to provide the ideal habitat for many forest species that can't be grown in other ways, and can eventually become a valuable and sustainable resource for personal use and side income for the long term. ​ There are a few general categories of NTFPs: edible and medicinal plants, edible and medicinal mushrooms, non-timber tree crops like nuts, fruits and tree saps and syrups, traditional crafts and decorations, seed nursery and planting stock, and others. ​ Explore the page below to learn more about NTFP species and how they are the backbone of forest farming. Please be sure to explore our youtube channel , and if you have forest farming questions, you can ask them in our FB page or group , or attend an event for networking and hands-on learning. Edibles Forest Farming Edibles Medicinals Forest Farming Medicinals Syrups Forest Farming Syrups Nursery Forest Farming Seeds & Plant Stock Othe NTFPs Other Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) Crafts Forest Farming Crafts & Decor

ABFFC Membership Through your participation and support, the Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition can provide free access to many resources for forest farming and agroforestry, and an ever growing network of support though partners , communities , technical assistance and essential training to forest farmers like you. ​ We promise to protect your information, and privacy. Please read through our privacy policy for more information about how we use your survey answers for demographic purposes only, and to better connect to our members through events, regional conferences and hands on training. Member Become a Member (it's free!) Help us improve and expand the coalition by filling out our short membership survey! We promise to protect your information and privacy . Membership Sign-up Membership Benefits Hands-on Training & Support Hands-on workshops on all aspects of operations: choosing and preparing a site, management planning, organic production and certification, forest grown verification, best handling and processing practices, value added production techniques, forest farming business planning and record keeping.​ Unique opportunities to see value-added facilities and productive forest farms. Forest Farming Resources This coalition clearinghouse website houses a wide array of online and video resources for forest farmers on diverse topics from industry basics to cultivation to value added production and beyond. The coalition will also help link members to free and reduced rate seed distribution programs and house an equipment share forum to assist growers in accessing tools for harvest and processing. Bi-annual Appalachian Forest Farmer Chronicle. Connecting and Networking Growers Forest farmer and industry stakeholder meetings will offer opportunities for growers to connect with buyers, organic certifiers, representatives from verification and other labeling programs. ​Growing communities full of folks interested in all aspects of forest farming and every skill level. Regional Technical Assistance Network Forest farmer to forest farmer mentorship program. Access to university extension and other agency personnel for FAQs and assistance with site and habitat management planning. Forest Farming Community Newsletter Join our email list to be one of the first to receive our seasonal Forest Farming Footnotes newsletter, which brings together the best of our regional partners, trainings, events, forest farming classifieds, and regional happenings! Other ways to support the Coalition! J oin our email list Share the word about ABFFC Ask about forest farming Learn more about forest farming in our video library Participate in our forest farming community on Facebook Check out our Forest Farming Footnotes newsletter and archive Attend online or in person events and trainings Fill out a survey , which helps inform our resources, and future projects Follow ABFFC on Facebook and Instagram Read and share our newsletter

Forest Farming Introduction Forest farming is an agroforestry practice which cultivates medicinal and edible crops, decorative and craft materials under a forest canopy that is managed to provide ideal shade levels and habitat. Forest farming on a larger scale supplies marketable crops, materials and products made from non timber forest products to community, local, regional and online marketplaces as well as internationally. ​ Forest farming also provides several opportunities for land owners, families and communities to benefit while managing, protecting and conserving the forests for the future. FAQ What is Forest Farming? WHO ARE FF? Who Are Forest Farmers? First, it is very important to acknowledge, honor and respect the indigenous peoples and their practice of stewardship and land management. The first nations have been stewards, foragers, and farmers since time immemorial, and continue these practices to this day. Individuals and families: Forestland owners are incredibly interested in forest farming. Opportunities abound to bring supplemental income, partially relieve tax burdens and invest in the future of families and forests. However, unlike traditionally agriculture with clear seasons, harvests and yields, forest farming is generally a longer term investment, but one with potentially higher values. Forest farming can also be a legacy endeavor of conserving forests, and a family's land well into the future. Communities An ever-growing group of communities now sees the need for community supported agriculture (CSAs), and forest farming is yet another opportunity for folks to come together to make plans, build visions and create these local, resilient and economically viable projects using forest farming and other agroforestry practices. Technical Services Though always high on the list of interests, non-timber forest products and forest farming assistance are generally limited and associated forest resource inventory and habitat management planning services scarce. However, markets for forest farmed products are evolving quickly and forest farming education and networking has increased in the past several years. Improving management services, education and outreach has never been more important. ​ What do forest farmers need? To develop the operational capacity needed to capitalize on emerging markets, forest farmers need technical, administrative, market sales, and state regulatory training and support related to production using forest grown verification, organic production, and best handling and processing practices. They also need access to extension and state agency personnel that are prepared to assist them with forest resource assessments and medicinal plant habitat management. Learn more and connect with other forest farmers in our community!

Forest Farming 101 The AFFC mission is to educate, train and connect future and beginning forest farmers from all across the Appalachian region and beyond. Our aim is to increase accessibility to this information as well as support local programs and individual forest farmers. This Forest Farming 101 section provides an outline of basic forest farming practices and common non-timber forest products or (NTFP) species for the eastern seaboard and Appalachian region. Introduction to Forest Farming START HERE Forest Farming Video Library Watch Non-Timber Forest Products or NTFPs NTFPs Ask a Question & FAQ ASK Forest Farming Glossary & Definitions glossary Forest Farming Online Community Facebook Value-Added Products or VAPs VAPs

2022 ABFFC Partner Events A big thank you to all of our participants and hosts in the ABFFC partner events of 2022. From the mountains of Western North Carolina to the forests of Pocahontas County, West Virginia, forest farmers from all around gathered to share in hands-on learning opportunities and community building. Please see highlights for each events below and be sure to keep up with our regional partners! If you are a beginning forest farmer, we invite you join our newsletter to hear about forest farming news, updates and events near you, or bring your forest farming questions to our FB community . 2022 West Virginia Forest Farming Forum 2022 Southern Ohio Forest Farming Conference 2022 WNC Forest Farming Series 2022 Sassafras Moon Herbal Festival & Forest Farming Conference WVFFF 2022 West Virginia Forest Farming Forum We would like to thank all of our partner groups and attendees for making the 2022 West Virginia forest farming forum a huge success in Marlinton WV! On Saturday we enjoyed a beautiful day of networking and learning with teachers and speakers, culminating in a dinner at the Pocahontas County Opera House. Thanks to all who visited the Yew Mountain Center on Sunday to finish off the weekend with yet another day of immersive learning. Please continue to stay in touch and utilize the resources provided by Yew Mountain Center and the ABFFC. If you have any follow-up questions, we invite you to get in touch or ask and start discussions about forest farming topics in our FB group . SOFFC 2022 Southern Ohio Forest Farming Conference We would like to thank all of our partner groups and attendees for making the 2022 Southern Ohio Forest Farming Conference a wonderful event for two years running! All weekend we enjoyed the amazing hospitality of the United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary and our hosts Rural Action , as we covered all the forest farming bases, from beginner basics to advanced business practices. ​ Please stay in touch and utilize our forest farming resources. If you have any follow-up questions, we invite you to get in touch or ask and start discussions about forest farming topics in our FB group. WNC FFS 2022 WNC Forest Farming Series Thank you for a wonderful series of forest farming workshops and tours in Western North Carolina! With our partners the Organic Growers School , this series was based on the format for the CRAFT Farmer Network and Tour program, which connects beginning and experienced farmers and producers throughout the WNC region. " Integrating Forest Farming into Existing Farm Enterprises " at Thatchmore Farm Our June session at Thatchmore Farm , "Integrating Forest Farming into Existing Farm Enterprises " had a great group. From heating greenhouses with wood, to yaupon holly and ramp propagation we had a day full of learning and sharing. Thank you to our hosts Tom, Karen, and Liz Elmore for sharing your time and knowledge. " Encouraging Mushroom Production within a Forest Ecosystem: A Practical Approach to Collaborating with Nature " at the Forest Farmacy In August we went to Madison County, NC for "Encouraging Mushroom Production within a Forest Ecosystem: A Practical Approach to Collaborating with Nature " with Forest Farmacy . We enjoyed a lovely day of integrating fungi into the forest farm practices. Our hosts Chris Parker and Kat Houghton generously shared their amazing knowledge and land. We got our hands dirty inoculating straw with spawn for participants to bring home. " Planting and Propagation of Forest Farmed Botanicals " at Green Heart Gardens We concluded the series in August at Green Heart Gardens in Buncombe County, NC. Our host Lori Burra of HerbMamma , offered her knowledge of planting a wild simulated forest farm and diverse methods for producing woodland botanicals and stewarding the forest plants. Participants enjoyed a beautiful afternoon with propagation, planting, and ginseng seed-sowing activities. 2022 Sassafras Moon Herbal Festival & Forest Farming Conference SassyFest What a plant-filled and inspiring weekend! A giant thank you to our hosts, partners, vendors and everyone who attended. We are grateful to be part of this wonderful event and this outstanding community. Read more about SassyFest here! On September 24, an incredible 2,500 people attended the Sassafras Moon Herbal Festival in downtown Erwin, TN to explore products from 40+ herbal vendors and learn from speakers at 7 FREE herbal classes. Then, on September 25, ABFFC & ASD co-hosted the SOLD OUT Sassafras Moon Forest Farming Conference at Blackberry Blossom Farm. We enjoyed concurrent classroom sessions in the morning and hands-on learning stations at a local forest farm throughout the afternoon.