Tarpon Food Forest

A ecologically designed example of sustainable semi-urban farming.

Abstract

Our community can collaborate to create sustainable semi-urban farming to produce local fruits and vegetables. This could eventually evolve into a new local food economy based upon production and consumption of locally grown food. Reducing our carbon footprint, creating jobs locally, and feeding our families most in need.

Values and Ethics

Care for People

Care for the Planet

Fair Share

Principles

Goal setting

Identify Obstacles.

Figure out what we need to know.

Identify groups we can work with.

Develop a plan of action.

What’s in it for our community?

Obstacles

Legal issues

Lack of Experience

Lack of resources

Apathy to start environmental food project

What do we need to know?

• Find out any legal problems and meet requirements to begin project.

• Seek mentors and active participants with knowledge. (Grant writing, Native plants, Legal issues/College issues, community networking)

• Cooperate with local groups to collaborate on priorities of the community to share resources.

• Inspire volunteerism locally to resolve community issues

Groups we can work with:

GFWC Woman’s Club of Tarpon -http://www.tarponspringswomansclub.org/

Tarpon Alliance for Humanity-http://www.pinellashomeless.org/information/helpful-organizations/tarpon-alliance.html

Tarpon Rotary - http://www.tarponrotary.org/

Local churches

Sheppard's Center

Code Green Community

ECHO Farms – nonprofit that trains in Tropical sustainable agriculture

Plan of Action• Development phase

– Make connections with groups and persons.

– Craft agreements

– Design layout

• Action phase– Create swales

– Plant trees

• Yield and Maintenance– Sell portion at local farmers

market

– Share with local food banks

– Maintain forest for years to come.

Development Phase

Creating Connections-– Make contact with local groups – share this power

point and gather connections

– Locate Mentors – people willing to volunteer their experience/knowledge/time/resources to achieving the end result of the Food Forest.

– Host steering group meetings to layout and organize for more connections.

– Feel free to email me personally Eric Stewart: zetazhan@gmail.com

Design Layout

Design created by Robert Segundo, Permaculture Designer.

Action Phase

• Generate volunteerism in the local community – Host discussions with community, host events centered around volunteering.

• Begin crafting swales adding organic material

• Plant Tree’s – With the aim of having them planted by the start of the raining season- (June/July)

Yield and Maintenance

• Ongoing project year after year of harvesting fruit. Sell portion at local farmers market and give a portion to local food banks.

• Maintaining the forest by regularly adding more organic matter as well as necessary pruning.

• Add new trees, possibly start up a tree nursery for future projects.

• Share knowledge and wisdom with others.

What’s in it for our community?

• The creation of the food forest in Tarpon Springs would be a working sustainable agriculture project which yield can be sold at local farmers markets as well as donated to food shelters.

• An opportunity for a new local economy to remerge based upon local food production and consumption.