Food Forest

Teacher: TBA

Join this practical, hands-on workshop on how to establish a food forest using permaculture principles at the Positive Trace Festival.

We will work together to prepare the soil, plant trees, shrubs, and groundcover plants, and create pathways through the landscape. You’ll gain real-world experience in designing and building a productive, layered ecosystem that mimics the structure of a natural forest.

With its rich mix of groundcover, shrubs, and trees, a food forest creates a resilient, low-maintenance system for growing food, while beautifully demonstrating the permaculture principle: Use and value diversity.

Learn More

  • A Food Forest based on permacultural principles is a designed agricultural system that mimics the structure and function of a natural forest. It aims to create a sustainable, self-sufficient ecosystem that produces a variety of foods and other resources.

  • A permaculture garden is a sustainable, eco-friendly gardening system that mimics natural ecosystems. It aims to create a self-sustaining environment where plants, animals, and humans can thrive together. Here’s what defines a permaculture garden:

    Diverse Plant Layers: Includes multiple layers of vegetation, from tall trees to ground covers, to maximize space and biodiversity.

    Polyculture: Uses a variety of plants together to create a resilient ecosystem, unlike traditional monoculture.

    Perennial Plants: Focuses on long-lived plants that provide ongoing yields with minimal maintenance.

    Natural Processes: Emulates natural processes like nutrient cycling, water retention, and pest control.

    Sustainable Practices: Utilizes composting, mulching, and rainwater harvesting to reduce waste and conserve resources.

    Integrated Design: Incorporates beneficial relationships between plants, animals, and the environment for mutual support and productivity.

  • A permaculture food forest aims to create a balanced, productive ecosystem that requires minimal external inputs and maintenance while providing a diverse array of yields. By closely mimicking natural forests , these gardens can be both ecologically sustainable and highly productive.

    This food forest will be a recreational space and offer value to the local villagers of Hyllegaard Høje.

  • Getting your hands dirty!

    Hands-On Learning: Gain practical experience in permaculture principles and techniques. You'll learn about site assessment, soil preparation, plant selection, and sustainable gardening practices.

    Community Building: Connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for sustainability and nature. Work together, share ideas, and build lasting relationships.

    Fun and Rewarding Experience: Enjoy the satisfaction of seeing the forest garden grow and flourish. Participate in a meaningful project that benefits both people and the planet.

  • Yes absolutly, you can create a food forest at home, even in a small backyard or urban setting.

    At the end of the festival you will be provided with recommendations for materials from which you can learn more and create a thriving food forest at home that provides a sustainable source of food, beauty, and habitat for wildlife.

Explore the other Positive Trace Projects

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    Learn how to support and create different habitats for small insects and mammals by imitating natural processes in a manipulated system. We will also increase the native vegetation.

  • Marked Garden

    Learn how to design and create a marked garden, where you will explore practical planning skills, simple layout techniques, and planting methods based on regenerative gardening practices.

  • Nut Savanna

    Help plant a nut savanna – a productive, low-maintenance landscape of nut trees, grasses, and herbs. Learn how to grow delicious nuts while supporting biodiversity, improving soil, and creating wildlife habitat.