Forest layers, pattern application, dynamic accumulators, nitrogen fixers, pest confusers and insectary plants are primary considerations when designing a food forest and/or doing a guild build. Putting together a food forest is about functional relationships between plants, how many elements can each species support and draw support from when working in cooperation. Diversity isn’t simply how many different things are in one system, but how many each one thing can support. This course will be an introduction to some of the foundation language, functional relationships and match making of plants. Students should come prepared to open up to whole systems thinking. Students should also wear comfortable clothing for our our field trip into the Clifton Park Food Forest.
Tag Archives: polyculture
Volunteer Day at Clifton Park Food Forest
Sept 18 10:00am – Noon & 6:00pm – Dusk
Set up for Mushroom inoculation workshop
-logs
-wood chips and sawdust
-cardboard
-carpet
Lend a hand and get to chattin’ with Clifton Park Food Forest designer Eric Kelly at:
Volunteer Days at the Food Forest
***Please notify us by email if you plan to volunteer for an evening time***
Work Gloves, Sun Hat and Water recommended
If you can bring your own hand tools, shovel and rake that’d be a big help!
Have you read the latest in the Food Forest Journal?
Volunteer Groups give us a holler to let us know want to lend a hand!
Directions to Clifton Park Food Forest
Google Maps to the Food Forest
Volunteer Day at Clifton Park Food Forest
Sept 4 10:00am – Noon & 6:00pm – Dusk
Set up for Mushroom inoculation workshop
-logs
-wood chips and sawdust
-cardboard
-carpet
Lend a hand and get to chattin’ with Clifton Park Food Forest designer Eric Kelly at:
Volunteer Days at the Food Forest
***Please notify us by email if you plan to volunteer for an evening time***
Work Gloves, Sun Hat and Water recommended
If you can bring your own hand tools, shovel and rake that’d be a big help!
Have you read the latest in the Food Forest Journal?
Volunteer Groups give us a holler to let us know want to lend a hand!
Directions to Clifton Park Food Forest
Google Maps to the Food Forest
Volunteer Day at Clifton Park Food Forest
August 21 10:00am – Noon & 6:00pm – Dusk
Go fishing! Seriously
Make fish hydrolysate
Kids challenge and obstacle area
Lend a hand and get to chattin’ with Clifton Park Food Forest designer Eric Kelly at:
Volunteer Days at the Food Forest
***Please notify us by email if you plan to volunteer for an evening time***
Work Gloves, Sun Hat and Water recommended
If you can bring your own hand tools, shovel and rake that’d be a big help!
Have you read the latest in the Food Forest Journal?
Volunteer Groups give us a holler to let us know want to lend a hand!
Directions to Clifton Park Food Forest
Google Maps to the Food Forest
Volunteer Day at Clifton Park Food Forest
August 7 10:00am – Noon & 6:00pm – Dusk
Go fishing! Seriously
Make fish hydrolysate
Kids challenge and obstacle area
Lend a hand and get to chattin’ with Clifton Park Food Forest designer Eric Kelly at:
Volunteer Days at the Food Forest
***Please notify us by email if you plan to volunteer for an evening time***
Work Gloves, Sun Hat and Water recommended
If you can bring your own hand tools, shovel and rake that’d be a big help!
Have you read the latest in the Food Forest Journal?
Volunteer Groups give us a holler to let us know want to lend a hand!
Directions to Clifton Park Food Forest
Google Maps to the Food Forest
Volunteer Day at Clifton Park Food Forest
July 24 10:00am – Noon
Make insect, bird, bat and amphibian homes
Insect inventory
Green mulch layer
Lend a hand and get to chattin’ with Clifton Park Food Forest designer Eric Kelly at:
Volunteer Days at the Food Forest
***Please notify us by email if you plan to volunteer for an evening time***
Work Gloves, Sun Hat and Water recommended
If you can bring your own hand tools, shovel and rake that’d be a big help!
Have you read the latest in the Food Forest Journal?
Volunteer Groups give us a holler to let us know want to lend a hand!
Directions to Clifton Park Food Forest
Google Maps to the Food Forest
Volunteer Day at Clifton Park Food Forest
July 10 10:00am – Noon
Make insect, bird, bat and amphibian homes
Insect inventory
Green mulch layer
Lend a hand and get to chattin’ with Clifton Park Food Forest designer Eric Kelly at:
Volunteer Days at the Food Forest
***Please notify us by email if you plan to volunteer for an evening time***
Work Gloves, Sun Hat and Water recommended
If you can bring your own hand tools, shovel and rake that’d be a big help!
Have you read the latest in the Food Forest Journal?
Volunteer Groups give us a holler to let us know want to lend a hand!
Directions to Clifton Park Food Forest
Google Maps to the Food Forest
Skill Class: Forest Garden Design & Care
Explore forest gardening in depth and learn the tools and methods to help you succeed.
Cost: $100
Description: In this class, we focus on the plants, relationships and design of forest gardens. Topics will include:
- Polyculture or Guild design at the backyard and small farm scale
- Forest garden soil management
- Nitrogen-fixing plants
- Forest garden site analysis
- Forest garden establishment and maintenance techniques
- Forest garden insectaries and pest management
- Growing and tasting of seasonal forest garden fruit, nuts, herbs, greens, mushrooms and more
- Community strategy and impact of forest gardens
The day includes tours of the forest garden, design materials and exercises, coaching sessions, discussions and networking. Our singular goal is to help our students succeed in their forest garden projects.
Lead Instructor: Lincoln Smith
Location: Forested in Bowie, MD. Be sure to read how to get into the site here. Google Maps by itself will not get you here.
Qualifications: Participants should feel comfortable being outside in any weather. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Sturdy footwear is required as well as appropriate outdoor clothing. Please bring a pair of work gloves if you have them.
Food: Snacks and drinks will be provided, but please bring lunch.
Registration: Pay below or email Lincoln to let us know you’re coming.
Work Trade: Cash is prefered to help us continue to develop the forest garden, but we accept 10 hours of volunteer work, or the $100 class fee, or any combination or the two. Email Lincoln to inquire about a work trade.
Groups: Bring friends and save! Select a number below for group discount price. Email Lincoln if you’d like to bring more than 4 people.
