With climate crisis and supply chain disruptions on the rise, communities must rethink their food systems. An existing campus lawn is transformed into a food forest, a seven-layer permaculture system comprised of edible plants and designed to mimic forest structure, with a goal to enhance community resilience and food security. This symbiotic, self-sustaining, and resilient system produces high yields in small spaces and requires minimal inputs. Swales, berms, and mulch capture and retain water, strengthening drought resistance. The campus food forest will serve as a living laboratory for researchers, students, and the local community.
Speaker: Alana Smith, UMass Lowell
Hybrid event. Register here to attend!