Forest farming

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Forest farming is an agroforestry practice characterized by the four "I's"- Intentional, Integrated, Intensive and Interactive management of an existing forested ecosystem wherein forest health is of paramount concern. It is neither forestry nor farming in the traditional sense.

Forest farm management principles constitute an ecological approach to forest management through efforts to find a balance between conservation of native biodiversity and wildlife habitat within the forest and limited, judicious utilization of the forest's varied resources. It attempts to bring secondary growth forests that have been overused and whose ecosystems have become so fragmented that their natural processes are out of equilibrium, back into ecological balance through careful, intentional manipulation over time, emulating natural processes to restore original, natural diversity of species and ecosystem stability.

In some instances, the intentional introduction of native or native-related species for use as botanicals, medicinals or food products is accomplished, utilizing the existing forest ecosystem to aid in support of their growth. The tree cover, soil type, water supply, landform and other site characteristics determine what species will thrive, as opposed to field-grown crop plantings. Developing an understanding of species/site relationships as well as understanding the site limitations is necessary in order to utilize these resources for current needs, while conserving adequate resources for the health of the forest today and for the future.

Forest farm management methods may include: Intensive, yet cautious thinning of overstocked, suppressed tree stands such that no individual species is decimated and such that the crown cover is never depleted leaving the forest floor exposed to excessive sun, rain and erosion ; multiple Integrated entries to accomplish thinnings so that the systemic shock is not so great; and Interactive management to maintain a cross-section of healthy trees and shrubs of all ages and species, rather than a monoculture of timber species. Caution is used to ensure that physical disturbance to the surrounding area is minimized in order for the forest ecosystem to recover more quickly.

Forest farm management is a type of forest stewardship ethic whose philosophy is that the term "sustainable" means what is sustainable for the earth, not what is sustainable for man's demand, and its objective is to restore and maintain the health of the forest land's many and varied ecosystems.

In recent years, the concept of "ecosystem services" has been developed to satisfy the human demand for a means of participating actively in support of ecosystem health and appreciation of the earth's natural assets. This movement is taking many physical forms- the planting of trees; the leaving of timber to grow older; the protection of forest habitat for animal species; creek riparian enhancement. Forest health is already a priority and is currently undertaken on forest farms as part of the management program. This positions them well to respond to this societal need, of conservation-minded individuals who are willing to provide monetary support for the program.

[edit] Sources:

"Natural Selection Forestry, A Guide to Forest Farming"; Orville Camp, 1984.

"The Forest Management Controversy"; Orville Camp, from "The Forest Farm Journal", Forest Farm Association publication, 1985-1992.

"North American Agroforestry: An Integrated Science and Practice, American Society of Agronomy, Inc."; Gold, Rietveld, Garrett and Fisher, 2000.

"Forest Farming Practices"; D.B. Hill and L.E. Buck, 2000.

"Alex's Forest Farm"; j.a. kendrick, 2005.

[edit] Internet references:

[1] "In Context" magazine, article by Robert Brothers on forest farmers objectives and goals.

[2] Cornell University "Forest Farming" defined, with USDA and other related references.

[3] Proceedings from the 1998 Specialty Forest Products/Forest Farming Conference.

[4] National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA), "Green Tag" forestry management program

The National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA), founded in 1983, is a nationwide organization made up of non-industrial private woodland owners and is independent of the forest products industry and government forestry agencies. NWOA works with all organizations to promote non-industrial forestry and the best interests of woodland owners. With its 32 affiliated state organizations working as the Alliance of Landowner Associations, it has become the most active, independent landowners group in the country.

[5], American Tree Farm System (ATFS)

ATFS was established in response to concerns that America's private forests were being cut at unsustainable rates without reforestation. The term "tree farming" was first used in the 1940's to introduce the public to sustainable forestry terminology they could easily understand. Farming implies continual stewardship and production of goods year after year. By linking the term "farming" with trees, foresters could communicate the concept of sustainable production of forest products over time. Tree Farming implies commitment to the land and was the philosophical opposite of the "cut-out and get-out" philosophy of the early 20th century. It began in 1941 when the first Tree Farm was designated in Washington State. The Tree Farm's purpose was to demonstrate sound forest management practices to area landowners.