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OUR VISION: THE FUTURE OF REED'S FARM
Looking ahead, we aim to expand our regenerative farming practices, increase community engagement, and develop new programs that address emerging needs. Our vision is to create a sustainable, inclusive, and thriving community centered around Reed's Farm.
We envision a future where Reed's Farm serves as a national model for regenerative agriculture. Our permaculture plan, developed in collaboration with Real Earth Design and Hundred Fruit Farm, outlines a five-year roadmap to transform the farm into a thriving ecosystem. Central to this vision is the creation of a food forest, which will provide fresh, nutrient-dense produce for the community while fostering biodiversity and enriching the soil. Additionally, the integration of silvopasture (a farming practice that integrates trees and grazing animals on the same land) will enhance our grazing systems, improve land health, and create a more resilient environment for our animals.
Our long-term plans include expanding our educational outreach, enhancing our facilities, and building new partnerships. By staying true to our core values and embracing innovation, we aim to make lasting contributions to environmental and social well-being.
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THE FOOD FOREST
The food forest at Reed’s Farm will be a transformative project designed to integrate perennial agriculture with ecological regeneration. This carefully planned system will include trees such as mulberry, raisin, little leaf linden, American persimmon, heartnut, black walnut, shellbark hickory, hican (a hickory/pecan cross), and shagbark hickory. These species were selected for their ability to produce nutritious food while supporting biodiversity and soil health. They will provide fresh, nutritious produce for our community, while the trees themselves will add shade and beauty to the landscape. Some will be used for medicinal purposes and to attract pollinators, further enriching the ecosystem. Once established, the food forest will mimic the natural layers of a forest, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that benefits the environment and
provides fresh produce for the community.
In addition to the food forest, our permaculture plan includes incorporating alley cropping practices to complement its design. Protective rows of trees will be planted in strategic formations to create microclimates and buffer the wind. Between these rows, annual crops will be cultivated, and we will make use of the enhanced soil fertility and moisture retention provided by the trees. This approach will allow us to blend the long-term benefits of perennial trees with the short-term productivity of annual crops, ensuring that the land remains productive over time.
The food forest and alley cropping together represent a commitment to holistic land management that aligns with our regenerative farming principles. The trees in the food forest will eventually yield fruits and nuts for both the farm and the community, while the alley cropping system will showcase how annual and perennial agriculture can work in harmony. These systems, rooted in permaculture design, are essential to our long-term vision of fostering a resilient, biodiverse landscape that supports
people, plants, and animals alike.
SILVOPASTURE
Silvopasture will play a central role in integrating livestock into a regenerative, multifunctional landscape. Through combining managed grazing with tree cultivation, this system will provide our animals with shade, shelter, and enriched pastures while improving soil health and fostering biodiversity. Rotational grazing practices will ensure that pastures remain healthy and productive, preventing overgrazing and promoting natural regeneration.
Expanding our sheep operation is a key component of this plan, with the animals helping to manage vegetation, fertilize the soil, and enhance the land's ecological balance. Silvopasture will allow us to create a more resilient farm system where livestock and the environment thrive together, exemplifying our commitment to
sustainable agriculture and innovation.