From ginseng roots to maple syrup, from mushrooms to decorative foliage, crops harvested from the understories of Appalachian forests are an intrinsic part of life in West Virginia. These crops, known as Non-Timber Forest Products or NTFPs, are intentionally and sustainably cultivated on forest farms. Forest Farming gives landowners an opportunity to generate agricultural income while maintaining forested property.  It is a land stewardship practice that conserves biodiversity, restores forest ecosystems, and respects cultural traditions.

West Virginia has the largest area of suitable habitat for the most valuable forest botanicals in Central Appalachia. These NTFPs have great economic and cultural significance to the region, but currently much of their value is exported overseas and the resource is threatened by unsustainable harvest practices. The West Virginia Forest Farming Initiative works on several levels to ensure future harvests, build capacity among forest farmers, and grow economic opportunity around this rich cultural and ecological resource.
 
You can learn more about forest farming by visiting the Appalachian Forest Farmer Coalition.

Learn About Our Work

Site Visits available!

Have your land assessed for suitability for forest farming and get a management plan for NTFPs.  This is a free service in WV for qualified landowners.

​WVFFI Mini Grants

Apply for a cost-share mini-grant to help with start-up, certification, or expansion costs for WV farms. These grants are available for forest farmers in WV.

​Mountain Medicine Trail

Get connected to Appalachian Forest Farming Agritourism with partners across the state of West Virginia.

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CONTACT WVFFI

EMAIL:  info(at)wvforestfarming.org
PHONE: 304-653-4079

   Forest Farming Coordinator
​   Yew Mountain Center
   9494 Lobelia Road 
   Hillsboro, WV 24956