Forest farming is an agroforestry practice that involves cultivating high-value, shade-loving crops beneath an intentionally managed forest canopy. Unlike traditional agriculture, which clears land to make way for sun-loving crops, forest farming works with the natural ecosystem. Landowners thin or manage existing tree stands to optimize sunlight levels, microclimates, and soil conditions on the forest floor.

Key non-timber forest products (NTFPs) grown in these systems include:

• Botanicals & Medicinal Herbs: American ginseng, goldenseal, black cohosh, and bloodroot.
• Edibles & Mushrooms: Shiitake and oyster mushrooms (grown on logs), ramps (wild leeks), pawpaws, elderberries, and native nuts.
• Ornamentals & Crafts: Native ferns, galax, moss, and decorative greenery.

Western NC holds extraordinary potential for forest farming, standing out as one of the premier regions in North America for woodland crop production:

• Ideal Biodiversity and Microclimates: The Southern Appalachian mountains feature some of the oldest, most ecologically diverse temperate hardwood forests in the world. Deep soils, steep elevation changes, and high annual rainfall create microclimates perfectly suited for delicate understory plants.
• Preserving Wild Populations: Species like wild American ginseng and goldenseal have faced severe pressures from over-harvesting and habitat loss. Forest farming offers a sustainable solution—producing high-value, "wild-simulated" crops that relieve pressure on wild populations while generating income for landowners.
• Economic Income for Steep, Forested Parcels: Much of WNC's topography is too steep or densely wooded for conventional row crops or pastureland. Forest farming allows smallholders and private forest owners to generate short- and medium-term revenue from their woods without resorting to clear-cutting timber.
• Strong Support Ecosystem & Markets: WNC benefits from an active network of research and advocacy organizations—including NC State Extension, the Appalachian Forest Farmers Coalition, and local herbalism/culinary markets—that connect growers directly to craft herbalists, natural product companies, and farm-to-table restaurants.

Do you want to learn more about these opportunities? Join us for the Forest Farming Office Hours this Summer and Fall. This very popular series provides you with an opportunity to talk forest farming with individuals from across the country, including beginners to experienced growers, researchers, industry reps, and extension specialists. All are welcome. You must register on Zoom:

• August 7th, 12 to 1:30 pm https://ncsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/W86xwgiCR1qUh9qxu0_gSQ#/registration.
• September 11th, 12 to 1:30 pm https://ncsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/u31JXTVfTdWpX1PtrV5EFw#/registration
• November 13th, 12 to 1:30 pm https://ncsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/3A2tfHK3SBKWHOaKJvJIIA#/registration

Forest Farming Office Hours are brought to you by the Appalachian Forest Farmer Coalition and NC State University Extension. All regions and experience levels are welcome. Learn more at: appalachianforestfarmers.org/office-hours