Before I even knew what a “tree hugger” was, I knew I was one.

Being around trees- better yet IN trees- makes me happy.

Witnessing the effects of global deforestation, including the dramatic destruction of the landscape around the farm, I wondered what- if anything- I could do. I decided that my response to the deforestation must be reforestation. Desertification is combatted by reforestation. If Indiantown is a “food desert,” then we should be cultivating food forests.

I certainly can’t keep pace with the systematic destruction of the land, but my efforts- however small- are important. If a small portion of the global population made a similar commitment to do what they could to regenerate the land- even just their backyard- our collective efforts would be impactful. Food can be grown anywhere & tree crops (i.e. fruit trees) are an easy & practical place to begin= food + function.

At Mahaba Farms, Summer 2024 is all about ramping up our perennial food production; especially the tree crops. Creating a diverse & dynamic food production system ensures food security.

I’ll be spending the next several months in non-stop propagation of trees from seeds, cuttings, grafting & air layering- all in an effort to cultivate a forest of food year round for years to come.