Source: LINCOLN UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
BUILDING A FOREST FARMING NETWORK TO SUPPORT GREATER FARM DIVERSITY AND ENHANCED ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN MISSOURI
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1031953
Grant No.
2024-38821-42104
Cumulative Award Amt.
$749,846.00
Proposal No.
2023-09281
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Apr 15, 2024
Project End Date
Apr 14, 2027
Grant Year
2024
Program Code
[EWE]- Extension Project
Recipient Organization
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
820 CHESTNUT ST
JEFFERSON CITY,MO 651023537
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
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.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
12306991070100%
Knowledge Area
123 - Management and Sustainability of Forest Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
0699 - Trees, forests, and forest products, general;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology;
Goals / Objectives
The primary goal of this project is to build a forest farming network that will support better forest management, income generation for rural populations, a steady supply of non-timber forest products, and biodiversity conservation. Therefore, the following objectives are proposed:Specific Goals and Objectives are as follows:Assess current landowner needs for forest management and forest farming practices through statewide surveys and focus groups (Bardhan. Kronenberg, Massengale).Use machine learning methods to enhance the participant survey evaluation data (Chakraborty, consultant).Conduct economic analysis and market surveys to better understand forest farming demand and customer preferences (Su).Create a forest farming network to disseminate the knowledge and technology gained to stakeholders to facilitate increased adoption of forest farming practices (Bardhan, Hemmelgarn, Kronenberg, Munsell, Massengale).Train graduate and undergraduate students to support traditional knowledge dissemination strategies and increase forest farming knowledge networks (Bardhan, Massengale, Chakraborty).To increase farmer and community knowledge and interest in forest farming through citizen science projects (Bardhan, Kronenberg).
Project Methods
We will use a grass-roots approach to build a localized network of farmers, landowners, and researchers interested in forest farming. Currently, both Lincoln University and the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry (UMCA) have connections with small and marginal producers of specialty crops, many of whom have expressed interest in forest farming. The UMCA hosts the annual Agroforestry Academy, an intensive educational training series on the fundamentals of agroforestry designed for the natural resource professional and farmer to gain an in-depth look at agroforestry practices, design concepts, species selection and management, economics, and marketing. The UMCA also organizes the Agroforestry Symposium, a full-day event with a revolving theme related to agroforestry, sustainable agriculture, and environmental equity. Lincoln University recently hosted the first session of forest farming workshops this spring (2023) with great success. Several participants who attended this workshop expressed interest in further collaborating with Lincoln on forest farming research and outreach. These three events will serve as the primary recruitment mechanism for the additional participation of farmers and landowners and later for the dissemination of the results of this project.We will also establish an integrated educational and extension program with publications and field days based on the application of lessons learned during the formation of the network using the well-established and highly successful Appalachian Forest Farming Coalition as a model to guide outreach efforts and build landowner capacity for successful forest farming.

Progress 04/15/24 to 04/14/25

Outputs
Target Audience:The project has effectively reached a diverse audience, including landowners, Technical Service Providers (TSPs), state and local agency workers, and minority and underserved farmers. Significant engagement occurred at key events such as the Kansas City Farmer Coalition Agroforestry Work-and-Learn and the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry Chestnut Roast, which provided valuable opportunities for participants to learn about forest farming practices. Presentations at the Missouri Natural Resources Conference and the Great Plains Growers Conference further facilitated knowledge sharing among natural resource professionals about forest farming techniques. In addition to in-person outreach, the project utilized online platforms, social media, and newsletters to disseminate critical information broadly. This multi-faceted approach ensured that a wide range of stakeholders, including conservation professionals and university affiliates, received relevant updates and resources, enhancing the overall impact of the project. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Our involvement with the Kansas City Farmer Coalition's Agroforestry Work-and-Learn initiative supported the organization's efforts by training approximately 30 landowners and technical service providers in forest farming practices. We also hosted the forest farming track at the Great Plains Growers conference, which created professional development opportunities for the invited guest speakers--two forest farmers and two technical service providers. This experience enhanced their ability to effectively share forest farming knowledge through presentations. The information they presented served as a valuable training resource for around 30 participants from various agricultural backgrounds. Additionally, our presentation at the Missouri Natural Resources Conference offered another professional development opportunity for approximately 30 natural resource professionals, focusing on forest management practices such as thinning and prescribed fire in relation to forest farming. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results have been disseminated to communities of interest through various online platforms and in-person events. Our website attracted several hundred visitors, resulting in 48 email signups. We also gained a following on social media, with 177 followers on Instagram and 63 on Facebook. Additionally, our forest farming office hours engaged around 8 participants, and our monthly newsletters reached 107 subscribers. In-person outreach included tabling at several key events. At the University of Missouri Chestnut Roast and the Great Plains Growers Conference, we engaged with at least 30 attendees at each event. The Missouri Natural Resources Conference allowed us to connect with about 30 participants, further spreading awareness of our initiatives. We also delivered presentations at various events, including the University of Missouri Chestnut Roast, which attracted around 15 attendees. The Kansas City Farmer Coalition Agroforestry Work-and-Learn and the Great Plains Growers Conference each drew about 30 participants. Additionally, we conducted individual visits to landowners, reaching approximately 5 people, and participated in a radio interview on the Farm and Fiddle program, though the listener count for that broadcast is unknown. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Goal # 1: Assess current landowner needs for forest management and forest farming practices through statewide surveys and focus groups (Hayford, Kronenberg, Massengale). The survey is scheduled to be distributed by the end of April 2025. Goal # 2: Use machine learning methods to enhance the participant survey evaluation data (Chakraborty, consultant). The evaluation will be conducted once the farmer survey data is ready. Goal # 3: Conduct economic analysis and market surveys to better understand forest farming demand and customer preferences (Su). The survey has been developed and scheduled to be distributed by the end of April 2025. Goal #4: Create a forest farming network to disseminate the knowledge and technology gained to stakeholders to facilitate increased adoption of forest farming practices (Hayford, Hemmelgarn, Kronenberg, Munsell, Massengale) 4.1. Provide technical knowledge related to forest farming practices to TSPs, state and local agency workers, and minority and underserved farmers April 5, 2025: Speak at the Agroforestry Work-and-Learn event with the Kansas City Farmer Coalition. May 3, 2025: Host a forest farming workshop at the Alan T. Busby Research Farm. April 4 and May 16, 2025: We will continue our forest farming office hours, holding one session per month for the rest of the year. July or August 2025: Collaborate with Dr. Nadia Navarrete-Tindall of Lincoln University for an agroforestry workshop. September 2025: Host a Forest Farming Field Day and Symposium at multiple locations in Central Missouri. Summer 2025: Publish the Forest Farming Handbook. November 2025: Host a tree syrup workshop at Broadview Valley Farms 2025 and 2026: Publish extension materials on NTFP species native to Missouri 2025 and 2026: Maintain active posting on social media accounts 2025 and 2026: Continue building website, add more technical information 2025 and 2026: Meet with interested farmers/landowners as the opportunity arises 4.2. Create a peer-to-peer mentorship network to connect participating producers with mentor farmers April 2025: Identify mentor farmers and begin the conversation about a mentorship program with them. May 2025: Develop a plan for the peer-to-peer mentorship program, outlining payment, schedules, activities, and objectives for the program. June 2025: Create sign-ups/applications for mentors/mentees, and finalize program details July 2025: Begin the mentorship program (6-9 months program). Spring 2026: Assess how the mentorship program went, incorporate feedback for next round. 4.3 Improve access to affordable forest farming planting stock May 2025: Assess application and choose recipients for the MWFFC Planting Stock Access Program June and July 2025: Provide technical assistance to recipients of the MWFFC Planting Stock Access Program August 2025: Fill orders and deliver to recipients September and October 2025: Recipients will plant their planting stock based on plans they created Spring 2026: Provide opportunities for recipients to sell seedlings 4.4 Provide a platform for network participants to share their stories 2025 and 2026: Coordinate with Hannah Hemmelgarn to record episodes for the Agroforestry Podcast 4.5 Establish a mentorship network email listserv 2025 and 2026: Continue building up subscribers and sending monthly newsletters to the email listservs Goal # 5: Train graduate and undergraduate students to support traditional knowledge dissemination strategies and increase forest farming knowledge networks (Hayford, Massengale, Chakraborty). We plan to hire graduate and undergraduate students either by the Fall 2025 semester or the Spring 2026 semester.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Goal # 1: Assess current landowner needs for forest management and forest farming practices through statewide surveys and focus groups (Hayford. Kronenberg, Massengale). A comprehensive survey assessing current landowner needs for forest management and forest farming practices has been developed. This survey is scheduled to be distributed by the end of April 2025. Goal # 2: Use machine learning methods to enhance the participant survey evaluation data (Chakraborty, consultant). There is currently nothing to report under this goal. The evaluation will be conducted once the farmer survey data is ready. Goal # 3: Conduct economic analysis and market surveys to better understand forest farming demand and customer preferences (Su). The survey has been developed and scheduled to be distributed by the end of April 2025. Goal #4: Create a forest farming network to disseminate the knowledge and technology gained to stakeholders to facilitate increased adoption of forest farming practices (Hayford, Hemmelgarn, Kronenberg, Munsell, Massengale). 4.1. Provided technical knowledge related to forest farming practices to TSP, state and local agency workers, and minority and underserved farmers. Significant strides were made in delivering technical knowledge about forest farming practices to various stakeholders. Raelin (Co-PI) and Ezra (Project Coordinator) attended the Kansas City Farmer Coalition Agroforestry Work-and-Learn, where they presented on site selection for forest farming to approximately 30 people, and assisted in planting ginseng and goldenseal. This group included Technical Service Providers (TSPs), state and local agency workers (Miami County Conservation district, USDA NRCS), and minority and underserved farmers (Kansas City Black Urban Growers, new farmers). At the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry Chestnut Roast, Ezra and Raelin set up a table and connected with approximately 50 people (including farmers, forest landowners, state and federal agency workers, members of conservation-based non-profits, and University affiliated employees) and disseminated information about forest farming. Additionally, Ezra delivered a presentation on the Midwest Forest Farming Coalition (MWFFC), while Raelin shared insights from her forest farming research during a speaker session to about 15 attendees. Sougata, a former PI of this project, presented at the 2024 Gather to Grow Forest Farming Conference, a gathering dedicated to honoring the past and shaping the future of forest farming, to announce the formation of the Coalition in March 2024. Raelin attended the Missouri Natural Resources Conference where she presented to an audience of about 30 natural resource professionals about forest farming research. We hosted a forest farming track at the Great Plains Growers Conference, which included six speaker sessions focused on the technical aspects of forest farming. Each session attracted an audience of approximately 30 participants. To support ongoing education, we have started developing a forest farming handbook, which includes information on multiple aspects of forest farming from a Missouri specific context. We have created the MWFFC website which includes a page with technical info related to forest farming. We have also created both Facebook and Instagram pages, where we regularly post information on forest farming practices and species, along with latest news and updates. A demonstration plot was established at the University of Missouri Baskett Research Forest to demonstrate the compatibility of tree syrup production with herbaceous NTFPs on the same growing site. This space will be used in the future for events such as field tours and workdays. We hosted two 'Forest Farming Office Hours' sessions, each lasting 1.5 hours, where small groups of participants (about 4-8 people) engaged in informal discussions and asked questions about forest farming. Additionally, we visited three maple syrup producers in Missouri and one graduate student researching tree syrup production to explore the industry and initiate plans for a fall workshop on tree syrup. We also met with a ramp/wild leek producer to learn about her operation and coordinate a summer field tour. 4.2. Create a peer-to-peer mentorship network to connect participating producers with mentor farmers. To create a peer-to-peer mentorship network to connect participating producers with mentor farmers, Ezra attended several events, including United Plant Savers Southern Ohio Forest Farming Conference, Savanna Institute Perennial Farm Gathering, Kansas City Farmer Coalition Agroforestry Work-and-Learn, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry Chestnut Roast, University of Missouri Forest Farming Workshop, Great Plains Growers Conference, Missouri Natural Resources Conference, and the Vieth Valley Farms Maple Syrup Open House. From these interactions, contact information has been collected into a database, currently comprising over 100 individuals, several of whom are willing to serve as mentors. 4.3. Improve access to affordable forest farming planting stock. The 'MWFFC Planting Stock Access Program' has been established as an application-based funding opportunity aimed at reducing the financial burden of purchasing planting stock for Missouri-based forest farmers by up to $1,000. This initiative not only provides financial support but also includes personalized technical assistance from the MWFFC and/or affiliated technical service providers who will conduct site assessments and help participants determine which species are most suitable for planting. Application documents are available on the MWFFC website and applications officially opened in January 2025. 4.4. Provide a platform for network participants to share their stories through the Agroforestry Podcast. Currently, there are no developments to report regarding the Agroforestry Podcast platform for network participants to share their stories. This initiative remains a future goal as we seek to enhance community engagement and knowledge sharing. 4.5. Establish a mentorship network email listserv. The MWFFC listserv, which currently has 107 subscribers, has been utilized effectively to communicate with the subscribers, with four newsletters sent out to date. These newsletters contain updates about events hosted by the MWFFC, as well as technical resources and funding opportunities. Goal # 5: Train graduate and undergraduate students to support traditional knowledge dissemination strategies and increase forest farming knowledge networks (Hayford, Massengale, Chakraborty). Raelin, a Ph.D. student at the University of Missouri and Co-PI, has received training from Hannah (Co-PI) and Ye Su (Co-PI) to develop all the survey questionnaires. We have not yet directly hired graduate or undergraduate students for this project.

Publications