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Forest Farming

Forest Farming

Forest farming is the cultivation of desirable plants underneath a forest canopy. This involves intentionally managing the components of the forest to produce these non-timber forest products. Examples of non-timber forest products include medicinal herbs like ginseng, decorative plants like ferns, and food crops like mushrooms. Management techniques might include adjusting the light level on the forest floor by thinning or pruning trees, increasing plant populations by site preparation or seedling, or improving plant growth by weeding or thinning. Forest farming can provide income on a relatively short-term basis, while high-value timber is being produced over a longer term.