Forest Farming Meetup: Building the Restoration Seed Supply Chain in Connecticut

Are you curious about forest farming? Are you an experienced practitioner? Do you just love the woods?! Join us as we present the emerging work that has been conducted in the northeast around ecotypic seed increases and how we will now collectively apply this methodology to forest species.

In a significant move to support climate resilience and ecological restoration in Connecticut, The Hickories has received an NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) to enhance the supply of locally adapted, ecotypic (native, regionally adapted) seeds for forest farming. This initiative builds on prior work by the Ecotype Project, and will expand The Hickories’ existing restoration seed farm (Northeast Seed Collective) from meadow species to include understory forest species such as willow, elderberry, and black cohosh. These species are vital for both ecological restoration and as crops for food, medicine, and other uses.

This project aims to address the need for ecotypic native plant material for forest farming and restoration in Connecticut, emphasizing climate resilience, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. By building a strong, community-driven supply chain for ecotypic seeds, we can enhance forest farming practices, support biodiversity, and contribute to broader restoration efforts in the Northeast.

Our goal is to start an informal conversation among like minded growers at the CT NOFA conference – Join us in this effort!