Cultivation & Harvesting

Private residence integrating food plants and potentially animals along with landscape. Typically, on a smaller site that allows for property to have both productive and aesthetic elements leading to increased health benefits, stress reduction, and personal financial stability. 

Typically, a larger scale than a residential garden, homesteading involves land that is used for various practices that encourage self-sufficiency, such as raising livestock, growing fruits and vegetables, collecting rainwater, composting, and crafting

Practice of storing seed from crops used to further invest in production for the future and keep specific breeds of plants for future planting. It is time intensive and requires specific knowledge in plant breeding and seed storage to be conducted well.

Practice of self-sufficiency and gathering from natural environments that may include both personal or group activities that involve gathering of plants, herbs, nuts, fishing and hunting.

Faith-based organizations offering land for gardening to connect with the broader community or congregation. Many offer produce to their volunteers or congregation members in need, and several also donate produce to food pantries in the community.

Business or corporation-based gardens used to promote and establish healthy habits for employees and administration within a company and promote sustainable wellness for the community.

City or community-based land used for gardens. Many include engagement across both public and private entities and can range in management style from rentable plots to free access. These spaces offer opportunities for families to grow their own food leading to financial stability and healthy, fresh food options.

Public or private schools providing garden space for unique learning opportunities for both students and teachers. Gardening can connect multiple disciplines: Math, Science, English, and Nutrition and may be used to teach individual skills on sustenance and sustainability, as well as care and respect the earth.

Community based landscaping that offers gleaning opportunities of the produced product. Typically designed with various forms of food (fruit trees, berries, herbs, and vegetables) with ornamentals to build up the environment, increase diversity, and improve food security through a connection to nature.

Similar to public edible landscapes, this is a practice for public use of land to incorporate various forms of fruit trees and shrubs. Due to the larger nature of the products grown, many times food forests can be found in a specific park or dedicated location, rather than permeated throughout a municipality.

Community organization or private business that assists beginning farmer entrepreneurs in efforts to establish their own successful businesses. The farms typically train on successful business tactics and provide resources and services that are expensive or difficult for start-up entrepreneurs to access.

Indoor growing practices that allow for producers to control all aspects of production from watering, temperature, and air movement. Each business may also have different scales ranging from private residence hydroponic systems to large multi-acre sites.

Large scale agriculture operations using modern technology for inputs and maximizing cultivation of crops and livestock. The model seeks to reduce production costs and maximize profit within the marketplace, with a focus on efficiency, market-driven decision-making, and productivity.

This production practice can occur in many scales and products. The goal is to produce or raise specialty products with unique characteristics for specialization in a market. The niche practices offer a great importance because they promote diversity and encourage unique business models.

Personal, corporate, or industrial business that includes harvesting of fish and other aquatic species for human consumption or for fish products. These can include both indoor through aquaculture systems and natural maritime fishery practices

Neighborhood development centered on agriculture which provides direct connections between community members and food production. Many agrihoods also take into consideration conservation programs, gardens, business and retail and social spaces.

Tourism that is centered on engagement experiences around agricultural amenities within communities and regions. Typically includes events, tours, meals or shopping and offers additional revenue streams to farmers and food businesses as well as ways to educate public on local and regional foods.