Market Farming

[Allan Balliett <igg AT igg.com>]

Contact: Allan Balliett
Phone: 540- 668-7640
Email: aballiett AT brces.org
September 27 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"Forest Gardening Specialist Mark Shepard to Lead Workshop, Saturday, 
October 6"

Looking for a low-maintenance,  high-return use for that 10 acres of 
lawn around your new house? Need suggestions for getting economic 
returns from the marginal lands on your farm? "Forest Gardening," or 
Agroforestry, is a system of horticulture that can help you do just 
that.  Once thought of as an utopian dream, agroforestry has found 
its way into academic circles (Virginia Tech has a program) and its 
principles have been refined through decades of field experience. 
Agroforestry has proven to be a sound and practical way to manage 
land and while creating a substantial return in income and in the 
quality of habitat for both humans and wildlife.

This workshop, on Saturday, October 6 at the Blue Ridge Center for 
Environmental Stewardship in Loudoun County, will explore the 
Oak/Hazel Savanna, an American native ecosystem, as a model for a 
profitable, permanent agriculture. (Permaculture)  This workshop will 
demonstrate how to create a commercially productive Oak/Hazel Savanna 
analogue, using market quality cultivars of Hazelnut and Chestnut, as 
well as a host of associated perennials, (including cut-flowers, 
herbs, mushrooms, and medicinals.) All of this is done organically, 
in harmony with natural systems. 

Workshop leader Mark Shepard is one of the most highly qualified 
agroforestry teachers in North America. He owns and operates New 
Forest Farm in Southwest Wisconsin, where the crops include organic 
vegetables, medicinal herbs, grains, cut flowers, and, of course, 
hazelnuts.  The farm utilizes agroforestry techniques such as 
alleycropping, silvopasture, and crop-producing windbreaks.  Mark has 
consulted for, designed and planted Permaculture and agroforestry 
systems from Alaska and Oregon to Massachusetts and Maine.

Gardeners, farmers, foresters, herbalists, environmentalists, 
landowners and landscapers will benefit from this workshop.  To 
maintain the quality of the experience, participation will be 
limited. Pre-registration is required.  The workshop starts at 9 a.m. 
on Saturday, October 6 and will go until at least 4 p.m. A donation 
of $10 is requested to cover the expenses of the workshop and organic 
lunch.

The Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship is the 
environmental programs arm of the Robert and Dee Leggett Foundation, 
located two miles south of U.S. Route 340 on Harpers Ferry Road (Rte 
671), Loudoun County, Virginia.

To pre-register, or for more information, please contact registrar 
Maura Balliett at
(540) 668-6165 7am - 10pm by October 5.


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