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Agroforestry practices: forest farming
About This Book
Forest farming is a relatively low-tech agroforestry practice for the cultivation of shade-tolerant non-timber forest products (NTFPs) such as medicinal plants, mushrooms, fruits, nuts, tree syrups and/or nursery stock. It is an ecologically sustainable way for forest owners to generate income, while maintaining forest health (productive conservation). This chapter introduces the concept of forest farming with sections on both estimating yields and how to select sites for such practices. Products with the greatest potential for income generation are covered such as shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) where logs begin yielding relatively soon after their inoculation, and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) which has greater income-generating potential, although requires many years before it begins to yield. Other NTFPs are also covered including medicinal plants, fruits, nuts and tree syrups. The chapter concludes with two case studies, one on the forest farming of tree nuts and the other on the production of wild leeks (Allium tricoccum).
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Table of contents
- 1 Introduction: setting the scene
- 2 What is forest farming?
- 3 Estimating yields in forest farming
- 4 Site selection and characteristics
- 5 Growing mushrooms
- 6 Shiitake mushroom cultivation
- 7 Growing woodland medicinal plants
- 8 Ginseng cultivation
- 9 Growing fruits, nut trees and shrubs
- 10 Cultivating tree syrups
- 11 Nursery crops in forest farming
- 12 Case study: overcoming limitations at the MacDaniels Nut Grove Forest Farming Research and Education Center
- 13 Case study: from ramps to riches
- 14 Summary
- 15 References