Start a food forest: How does it work?

How to start a Food Forest? Here you will find a few approaches on how you can take action yourself.
A food forest is not only ecologically valuable, but can also be economically viable and strengthen social communities. Approaches to implementation and financing can be found here.

Food Forest: ecologically, economically and socially valuable

A food forest is much more than a collection of edible plants. It is a well thought-out, sustainable ecosystem that not only protects the environment, but can also be economically viable and strengthen social cohesion. But how do you successfully implement such a project? Approaches to realising and financing a food forest can be found here. We believe it makes sense to go through a structured planning process.

Orientation

What needs to be done during the orientation phase? Quite a lot! For example: Visit existing food forests. Talk to Food Forest farmers. Read books. Attend a course.

And answer the key questions: What do I want to do with my land? What can and may I do with it?

Preliminary study and observation of the area
A detailed preliminary study and observation of the area are important in this phase. The geographical and climatic conditions as well as the land use plan are decisive starting points for the property that determine its further design. In the preliminary study, all factors are analysed that determine what is possible and permitted in order to create the most productive food forest possible. Geographical, climatic, biotic and abiotic factors that determine the feasibility of the concept must be taken into account. No land of your own yet? Then ask yourself: Who can I team up with? Is there an area in my region where a food forest could be created? Would it be suitable to lease or buy?

Plan

Get started: Define mission and goal

Before the practical implementation begins, it is important to formulate a clear vision. What goals should be achieved? Is it primarily about sustainable food production, the protection of biodiversity or educational work? A well thought-out concept helps to find fellow supporters, acquire funding and gain supporters. The aim of this phase is to make decisions regarding the objectives of the food forest, the products, the market and the desired ancillary activities.

The Golden Circle: start with why

Simon Sinek, an inspirational speaker on business leadership, says that people are inspired by a sense of purpose (the why) before the how and the what. Sinek calls this triad the Golden Circle. Why: represents people’s motives or goals,
How: represents the processes or methods,
What: represents the results or outcomes.
We think this is a sensible method, even if it is the start of a food forest.

Planning a Food Forest

As soon as it is clear for what purpose a food forest is to be planned, a specific area is available and the preliminary study has been completed, planning can begin. This includes a catalogue of requirements and a wish list for the planting.

Business Models: Economic viability and social benefits

A food forest can be made economically viable in various ways. Possible sources of income:

  • Membership models: Similar to community-supported agriculture (CSA), where members receive regular harvest shares;
  • On-site processing: The value chain can be extended by drying, fermenting or producing products such as jams, juices, beer or vinegar. This can create additional sources of income;
  • Direct sales to customers: Sale of fruit, vegetables, nuts and other products;
  • Experience and educational programmes: Workshops, seminars or guided tours;
  • Co-operations with restaurants or retailers: Exclusive supply of high-quality, sustainably produced food;
  • Funding and foundations: Support through environmental and social funding programmes.
    Social added value
Social added value
  • Education and environmental awareness: A food forest can serve as an extracurricular learning centre and sensitise people to sustainable agriculture;
  • Community building: Working together on the project creates social cohesion;
  • Food security: Local, sustainable food production strengthens the independence of the community.
Create a business model

If you are thinking about business models and want to create a business plan for your food forest, you can use the Business Model Canvas. Jetzt ansehen!

Design

In the design phase, the design for the food forest is created or drawn up by experts. The starting point is the preliminary study with the basic map and the catalogue of requirements.
The design phase starts with a rough plan and goes into more and more detail.
The result of this phase is a finalised planting plan, on the basis of which order lists can be drawn up.

Implementation

In the realisation or implementation phase, the food forest is planted on the basis of the design. How this is done is considered in advance during the planning phase.

Management and operation

Management and operation phase
In the management and operation phase, the food forest is maintained and operated in accordance with the requirements. Based on the knowledge and

Zertifizierungs-Workshop in Senegal

Cooperations and networks

We are not working alone on this important topic. Together we can make progress! We cooperate with the German Agroforestry Association (DeFAF), the German Farmers’ Association (AbL), Voedseluithetbos (NL), universities and other partners.

Co-operation partners:
DeFAF: Deutscher Fachverband für Agroforstwirtschaft

AbL: Arbeitsgemeinschaft bäuerliche Landwirtschaft e.V.

Der niederländische Verein: VoedseluithetBos / FoodfromtheForest

Interesting sources for planning a food forest:

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