Permaculture (permanent agriculture) is the conscious design and maintenance of agricultural systems based on mimicking the ecosystems and patterns found in nature. Nathan Ayers will introduce one practice of Agroforestry called Forest Farming. The USDA defines Forest Farming as “the cultivation of high-value crops under the protection of a managed tree canopy”. Utilized worldwide, Permaculture, Agroforestry and Forest Farming systems help growers diversify crop production while conserving natural resources and improving ecological health. This workshop will cover and share many resources on how to plan, design, plant and maintain a permaculture designed forest farm system on properties of all sizes. 

Instructor: Nathan Ayers is the Director of Chiwara Permaculture Research and Education and project lead of the West Michigan Agroforestry Partnership. Since 2010, Nathan has led the integration of permaculture, agroforestry and nature-based systems-thinking into many organizations throughout the US.  www.westmichiganagroforestry.com 

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