Course Description: This course is designed to introduce participants to the principles and practices of creating and maintaining food forests. Whether you are a hobby gardener, aspiring permaculturist, or just environmentally conscious, this in-depth course will provide you with the tools to understand and establish your very own food forest.

Introduction (20 minutes)

• Brief about what a Food Forest is
• Historical context of food forests
• Importance in modern agriculture and sustainability

Principles of Permaculture (40 minutes)

Ethics of Permaculture

• Care for the Earth
• Care for People
• Fair Share

Design Principles

• Observe and Interact
• Catch and Store Energy
• Obtain a Yield, and others

Layers of a Food Forest (40 minutes)

• The Canopy
• Low-Tree Layer (dwarf fruit trees)
• Shrub Layer (berries and nuts)
• Herbaceous Layer
• Ground Cover Layer
• Rhizosphere (root crops)
• Vertical Layer (vines and climbers)
• Aquatic/Wetland layer (where applicable)

Designing a Food Forest (40 minutes)

• Site assessment
• Choosing the right plants for the climate and soil
• Designing for water flow and capture
• Introducing beneficial insects and organisms

Implementation (1 hour)

• Soil preparation
• Planting strategies and techniques
• Incorporating animals into the food forest
• Tips and tricks for ensuring success

Maintenance and Sustainability (30 minutes)

• Pruning and plant care
• Natural pest and disease management
• Harvesting without depleting

Case Studies (30 minutes)

• Real-world examples of successful food forests
• Adaptations based on different climates and terrains

Hands-On Activity (in-person only; 1 hour)

• Plant identification and planting techniques demonstration
• Soil testing and improvement methods
• Design a small-scale food forest (groups or individual activity)

Q&A Session (20 minutes)

• Address questions, concerns, and particular scenarios

Wrap-up and Resources (10 minutes)

• Recommended books, websites, and communities
• Certification options and advanced courses

Online Version Adaptations:

• Interactive Modules: Use interactive e-learning modules for principles of permaculture and layers of a food forest, allowing for participant engagement.
• Virtual Tour: Use videos or virtual reality experiences to show real-world food forests.
• Discussion Boards: Allow participants to post questions, pictures, and experiences with their own food forests.
• Hands-on Activity: Instead of a direct hands-on activity, guide participants in designing a digital representation of their potential food forest or have them observe and plan in their actual space and share their findings/plans with the group.