Forest farming, the sustainable cultivation of high-value, non-timber forest products (NTFPs) like mushrooms and tree syrups in forests, is seeing increased interest from landowners across the U.S. However, while practices are well-documented in Appalachia, professionals in other regions often lack the educational resources to effectively support these growers.
Lincoln University (LU) in Missouri is actively working to close this local knowledge gap. With support from a $56,248 NCR-SARE grant, Research Specialist Raelin Kronenberg has been creating practical, hands-on training.
“Interest in forest farming has steadily increased among landowners in both rural and urban settings due to its wide range of applications and ability to produce a variety of products,” said Kronenberg. “Despite the growing landowner interest in forest farming, natural resource professionals admitted they have little experience with forest farming practices.”
LU, Kronenberg, and a team of forest farming practitioners began offering workshops and farm tours to increase awareness of forest farming practices and opportunities. Their work culminated in a new, detailed forest farming manual. While the guide offers specific references for Missouri and the Ozarks, the comprehensive resource is useful for aspiring forest farmers across the entire temperate U.S.
Step‑by‑Step Guidance
Organized into clear, sequential sections, “Forest Farming in Missouri” leads technical service providers and woodland owners through a structured planning process. It begins with an introduction to forest farming, continues with site assessment, addresses soil preparation and sourcing plant stock, and moves through market considerations and planning for the future. Practical tools include a chart of common pests and diseases encountered in forest farming operations, a list of maintenance activities, and a collection of forest farming planting stock suppliers.
By offering rich, real-world case studies, planning aids, and funding resources, the guide enhances the capacity of both practitioners and advisors to adopt forest-based farming systems. Its goal is to foster sustainable, diversified enterprises that balance environmental stewardship with economic opportunity, making forest lands work harder for both communities and ecosystems.
Empowering Landowners & Advisors
The trainings and workshops spurred the creation of a new Midwest Forest Farming Coalition, linking farmers, landowners, and organizations to promote NTFP production in the Midwest.
"This project stimulates important conversations around sustainable agriculture and forest management," said Kronenberg. "It has improved natural resource professionals' understanding and provided them with the technical knowledge needed to support farmers interested in NTFPs.”
Dig Deeper
View the guide for free online at https://www.mwffc.org/resources/forest-farming-handbook
NCR-SARE will start accepting proposals for new Professional Development Program (PDP) grants in February. Learn more about NCR-SARE's PDP grants.
URL: https://www.mwffc.org/resources/forest-farming-handbook
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This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.