AHPA Project Scientist attends Gather to Grow Forest Farming Conference

• By: AHPA
• On: 04/11/2024 07:11:32
• In: AHPA News

From left: Ed Fletcher (Native Botanicals, Inc.), Holly Chittum (AHPA), John Munsell (Virginia Tech), Steven Yeager (Mountain Rose Herbs), and Nate Brennan (Pacific Botanicals)
 
American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) Project Scientist Holly Chittum recently attended the 2024 Gather to Grow Forest Farming Conference hosted by the Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition (ABFFC). The event was held March 22-24 in Roanoke, VA and featured learning, networking, and strategic planning programs that will shape the future of forest farming of woodland crops such as botanicals, mushrooms, and decorative products in Appalachia and beyond.
 
ABFFC is a network of forest farmers, forestland owners, universities, and governmental and non-governmental organizations lead by John Munsell (Virginia Tech) that share a common goal of improving agroforestry production opportunities and farming capabilities among forest farmers. More information about coalition partners and members can be found here.
 
Attending AHPA members – including Ed Fletcher (Native Botanicals, Inc.), Steven Yeager (Mountain Rose Herbs), and Nate Brennan (Pacific Botanicals) – met with raw materials producers, attended sessions, and participated in a panel on post-harvest handling and value addition. In addition to the members pictured, Lauren Nichols (WishGarden Herbs) and Susan Leopold (United Plant Savers) also attended the conference. Holly Chittum is a founding partner and previous project co-director of ABFFC.