Ecology and Habitat Restoration
Food Forest
A food forest produces food sustainably by replicating the dynamics of a forest ecosystem, from the tree canopy to the mycelial network of the soil. At REAP, the food forest is a classroom for nature-positive work, a means of equitable food distribution, and a workforce development site for various careers in landscape maintenance and urban agroecology.
To make this happen we need interested community members like you to pursue these amazing interests with us! Join our community and work on behalf of your community.
There are 2 main ways to stay engaged:
Email List: We’ll keep you posted on what’s going on.
Guild: A little more hands on, a lot like a club!
*There are lots of other things we need to help make this program a success! To learn more click here!
Our Program
REAP’s Food Forest program is an example of environmental stewardship and workforce development existing in harmony. REAP sees itself as a trade school for nature-positive work, where people can receive hands-on learning experiences in nature-based solutions. The Food Forest will be a classroom to explore permaculture, horticulture, and sustainable land management, specifically with the integration of trees!
REAP partners with nature-positive organizations and educational institutions looking for physical sites and operating examples of greater systems change. As the Food Forest produces a yield, REAP will be able to deepen our impact with local food systems through food justice and distribution.
In the World
Food forests are gaining local and international support: from classes to local food forests, grants and international policy!
Food forests are just one part of the push for agroforestry, or the integration of trees and agriculture. Hobbyists, environmentalists, educators, and horticulturalists alike are searching for places to learn about this process. Local organizations are incorporating permaculture and food forests into projects around ecological restoration, green education, job training & food security. Federal and international organizations are incorporating agroforestry into climate mitigation strategies, and creating support to increase the use of sustainable practices!
Career Pathways
Food forests have a growing role in sustainability and climate change mitigation, and people are needed to fulfill this role. Because of this, food forests tie into many possible careers, often revolving around conservation, horticulture, systems design, and soil science. A permaculture design certificate, or agroforestry training can go towards becoming a sustainable landscape designer or consultant, an agriculture consultant, working in ecological restoration and sustainability, and more!
Check out REAP’s Gardening and Landscaping Training Certificate Program! Our program is designed to support veterans, persons with disabilities, and those re-entering the workforce.
Current Status
To get our programs up and running there are a few things that need to be established! Below are some of the key elements and where we stand in terms of getting things up and running.
It’s impassioned community members, volunteers, and funders who help us push the dial and get closer to our goals!
Program Vision
Industry Sector Analysis
Employers, Trade Organizations, and Unions
Research
Curriculum and Class Resources
On Campus Resources and Facilities
Job Placement Resources
Funding
Status Update Coming Soon!
Featured Partners
REAP’s partnership with the Alameda Food Bank is a lovely closed loop: we get their spoiled compostables for our gardens, and we get to grow food to give back to them!
REAP works with PCCS to offer training of various kinds to veterans, persons with disabilities, and those re-entering the workforce, including Gardening and Landscaping!
Join Our Guild!
Want to get involved more deeply with REAP’s Permaculture program? Want to meet other people passionate about earth care, people care, and fair share? Join our permaculture guild! It’s like a club hosted by REAP for passionate people to do cool stuff!
For more information about what guilds are to REAP click here!
Other ways to get involved
Looking for a way to start on your permaculture path? REAP offers a Gardening and Landscaping Training Certificate Program for veterans, persons with disabilities, and those re-entering the workforce.
We are seeking volunteers to help maintain our food forest! Tasks may include planting, weeding, spreading compost, and more! Visit our volunteering page to get started.
We are always seeking one-time gifts, DAFs & grants, and in-kind donations to help our programs! Visit our donations page for more information.
Sign up for email updates here!
For more information and local initiatives around permaculture check out our Food Forest Resource Page!
