ADCG Community Food Forest Project

Food Forest Workshop August 23, 2014, 9am–Noon

The Alan Day Community Garden (ADCG), in collaboration with the Center for an Ecology-Based Economy (CEBE) has received a Maine Local Food Grant administered by Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare and Maine Today Media. The $8,500 grant is to design and implement a perennial food forest at the Community Garden. Soil amendments, plants and seeds are also covered by the grant. The project will be administered by CEBE for the benefit of the public as a demonstration and educational opportunity.

Also known as edible forest gardens, or perennial polycultures, food forests contain a diverse mix of perennial plants, from fungi and herbaceous ground covers, to perennial vegetables, fruit and nut bearing vines, shrubs, and trees. By emulating natural ecosystems, forest gardening creates guilds of plants that ideally work in symbiosis with each other to maximize the productivity of the edible landscape, while reducing the need for annual labor and material inputs. While the focus is on edible and medicinal plants, many species will be chosen for their ability to fix nitrogen, build soil, provide beneficial habitat, or confuse pests.

Forest Gardening in our northern temperate zone is a burgeoning field with many recent books and workshops being held throughout the region, especially in permaculture circles. We are looking for a dedicated group of volunteers to see this project through its initial establishment over the next year and beyond as the system matures through various phases. If you have knowledge of perennial plants, have experience with fruit and nut trees or simply want to learn about this way of growing food, please contact us at info@ecologybasedeconomy.org or call 207-739-2101.

Join us on Saturday, August 23th, 2014, 9am–Noon

We will be holding a free Food Forest Workshop at the Garden at 26 Whitman St. in Norway on August 23rd from 9am until noon. This workshop will be the official kick-off to the project and a great way for gardeners to learn more about creating edible ecosystems in their own backyards. Please join us!