Lincoln University

Awards Issued Prior to January 20, 2025, Were Funded Under Previous Administrations and May Not Reflect the Priorities and Policies of the Current Administration. Forest Farming Practices Refer to Cultivating High-value Specialty Crops in the Forest Understory With the Specific Management of the Canopy and Forest Overstory to Promote the Growth and Establishment of the Desired Nontimber Forest Products (ntfps). Through This Project, We Will Use a Grass-roots Approach to Build a Localized Network of Farmers, Landowners, and Researchers Interested in Forest Farming, Which Will Complement Ongoing Research at Lincoln University on Agroforestry and Forest Farming. the Proposed Activities Will Allow for the Establishment of a Forest Farming Network Modeled After Such a Coalition in the Appalachian and Northeast Us and Will Result in Forest Farming Adoption in Missouri and the Midwest. This Proposal Will Take Advantage of Demonstration Sites Established at the Lincoln University Busby Farm Along With a Field Visit to Ozark Mountain Ginseng and Other Mentor Farmer Sites. the Project Will Conduct Educational Workshops, Hands-on Activities, and Farm Tours for TSPS, Agency Workers, and Producers to Establish the Forest Farming Network. the Project Has Integrated Education and Outreach Components With Graduate and Undergraduate Student Training, Citizen Science Projects, and Statewide Network Development. This Proposed Project Builds Lincoln UNIVERSITY'S Teaching, Research, and Extension Capabilities and Is Aligned With USDA'S Strategic Goal. an Active Forest Farming Network of Farmers, Students, Researchers, and Professionals Is a Key Product of the Project. Socially Disadvantaged and Limited-resource Farmers Will Benefit From the Adoption of Forest Farming Systems Which Can Improve Their Income Generation and Quality of Life.