We have started our search for 2022 garden sites!
Author Hayley Mehaffey
Whether you’re a neighborhood, non-profit organization, school, or a fellow nature enthusiast, taking part in creating an edible landscape is an incredible opportunity to get involved with your community.
Wisconsin cities are unique for many reasons. One of the reasons being the vast amount of green spaces scattered throughout our cities. It is often in the most peculiar places that you may stumble across a community garden, orchard, or food forest.
So why should you consider having a food forest cultivated in your green space?
1.Food forests harbor life.
From shrubs to fruit trees, flowers, and herbs- food forests are rich and abundant. The amount of energy that is fostered in a food forest is immeasurable; our local wildlife and pollinators would thank us if they could. An edible landscape can also help feed the people in your community, support wildlife and pollinators, and remove carbon from the air.
2.Food forests have a ripple effect.
We often wish we could find viable ways to help our climate and the community in a way that supports lasting positive change. From planting the first seeds to inviting our volunteers to help us work the land, the benefits of a food forest go beyond a beautiful landscape.
3.Food forests are magic.
Do you remember as a kid exploring the dirt with your tiny fingers to discover earthworms and ants buried beneath the surface and that feeling of curiosity and amazement that followed? We want our communities to have similar experiences. So one of our goals at Wisconsin Food Forests is to grow awareness and appreciation in our communities towards the wonders of eating the food you produce and understanding the significance of all life and its natural cycles. This goal is possible even amongst a city, and we are searching for spaces and individuals that want to be a part of our larger vision.
Do you have a green space (side yard, grassy section, etc.) that you would love to see come to life or transformed in a way that supports your community and local wildlife? We have attached a Food Forest Interest Form below.
Upcoming Events
Farley Center Food Forest Tour
Sunday, August 8th from 2:45 to 3:45 pm
2299 Spring Rose Road, Verona
Free tour of the food forests at the Linda and Gene Farley Center for Peace, Justice, and Sustainability.
Tours of the Food Forest at Blooming Grove Montessori School
Tuesday, Aug. 17th from 5:15 to 6:00 pm
Sunday, Aug. 22nd from 9 to 9:45 am
4560 Rustic Drive, Madison
Explore how gardens and nature-based learning are implemented into a school culture while on a guided tour of the gardens.
Table at Eastmorland Makers/Farmers Market
Thursday, August 19th from 4 to 7 pm
Lansing Food Forest
299 Starkweather Drive Come say hello and visit our booth.
2 Comments
I would appreciate being considered as a food forest site – i can offer a choice of several excellent areas located within our 160 acre farm near Paoli. I have forest, garden or whatever is needed. I’m very excited to learn more about the process.
Warm regards,
Mike
Hi Mike,
This is great! What is your land like? Are there specific plants you are interested in? We would love to come out and take a look at the sites.