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Summary

Goal Farmers will adopt optimization techniques that better utilize space, time, sunlight, and water to increase production efficiency by using top view mapping, side view mapping, and seasonal calendars. Learning Objectives

1. Learn how to make a seasonal calendar.
2. Learn how to diversify crops and time planting and harvesting to increase use of time on the field.
3. Learn how to make a side view map.
4. Learn which types of plants increase use of vertical space (e.g. timber trees, shrubs, and vines).
5. Understand the benefit of garden level perennials (root crops, grasses, vines, ginger, shrubs, cover crops) for soil conservation, segmentation and pest control.

Venue and Timing This module should be given at the beginning of year three. The training should be held at a Forest Garden that is representative of most of the Forest Gardens in the area. Relevant Technical Manual Chapters Before this training event, the facilitator should review and thoroughly understand the following chapters and sections in the Technical Manual:

• Chapter 1: Introduction to the Forest Garden
• Chapter 2: Phased Approach
• Chapter 15: Optimizing Your Forest Garden Understory

Preparation

• Determine which months each module (and flexible activities where relevant) are to be facilitated using the table in Activity 5.
• Draw seasonal calendar chart on flip chart paper (empty, to be filled in during workshop).
• Draw example of a side view map on flip chart paper, based on a Forest Garden you have visited in the project.
• Identify multiple options for perennial plants that the group can grow to: a) fill in the vertical layers of their Forest Gardens, and b) provide food or income in the lean months. Consider native plants that are used traditionally for food, medicines, etc. Be sure that these options are appropriate for the local agroecological conditions and that seeds or cuttings are locally accessible.
• Update the farmer group MoU for the year, to be signed at the end of the workshop.

Supplies

• 2 copies of the Farmer Group MoU for the upcoming year (to be signed by the farmer group attending the workshop)
• Participant Farmer List template
• Vegetable pictures cards
• Roll of flipchart paper and tape
• Markers of various colors
• a small ball

Total Time 3-4 hours Handouts in Farmer’s Workbook

• Map of Field
• Seasonal Harvest Calendar
• Examples of Side View Maps
• Side View Mapping
• Optimizing Your Forest Garden

Agenda

Opener: Lessons learned ball toss (45 mins)

• Congratulate farmers for completing the second year of training and explain the purpose of the meeting
• Farmers toss a ball and review what they learned in the last two years
• Review key points not discussed during the ball toss and get feedback on year one activities

Activity 1: Create a top view map (45 mins)

• Walk around the host farmer’s Forest Garden
• Create a top view map of the Forest Garden
• Host farmer discusses successes and challenges of year 2

Activity 2: Seasonal crop calendar (1 hour)

• List the crops growing in the Forest Garden
• Create a seasonal calendar for the Forest Garden
• Discuss seasonal calendar and gaps in harvesting
• Discuss the benefits of planting perennials and types of perennials available

Activity 3: Side view mapping (1 hour)

• Explain the concept of side view mapping and walk through field to be mapped
• Show example of side view map of a Forest Garden visited during a previous workshop
• Small groups create a side view map of the host farmer’s Forest Garden
• Small groups present side view maps and select the best one
• Discuss gaps from side view map

Activity 4: Optimization strategies for the Forest Garden (45 mins)

• Review the gaps identified in the three mapping activities: top view map, seasonal calendar and side view map
• Small groups make recommendations for optimizing the Forest Garden
• Small groups present recommendations for host’s Forest Garden
• Discuss techniques participant farmers will adopt to optimize time and space in their Forest Gardens

Activity 5: Plan year three activities (30 mins)

• Discuss year three plans for the group
• Read and discuss Memorandum of Understanding, sign MoU, and update Participant Farmer List (optional for non-TREES projects)

Take Home Activity 6: Create a side view map and update top view map of your Forest Garden

• Farmers create a side view map of a transect of their Forest Garden
• Follow-up

What you need to know

Whether you intend to sit the FG Pro certification exam, or lead Seedling Propagation module extension activities, you must be able to answer the following questions to succeed. 

Introduction to the Forest Garden

Phased Approach

Assessment Tools

Optimizing Your Forest Garden Understory

Agroforestry Technologies: windbreaks, green walls, contours and more

 

Related Facilitation Tools

• Rapid Participatory Assessment