Browsing by Author "Trozzo, Katie E."
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- Forest Farming: Who Wants In?Trozzo, Katie E.; Munsell, John F.; Chamberlain, James L.; Gold, Michael A.; Niewolny, Kimberly L. (2021-09)Forest farming is an agroforestry practice defined as the intentional cultivation of nontimber forest products (NTFPs) underneath a forest canopy. Forest farming perspectives and preferences among family forest owners are generally understudied, particularly in Appalachia, where many marketable native NTFPs species are found. We surveyed Appalachian family forest owners in 14 Southwest Virginia counties about their interest in forest farming and likelihood of leasing land for this purpose. We also asked about the owner's residency and historical connection to the region as well as contemporary land uses, and identified the following types of uses: absentee and vacationers, newcomers, longtime farming residents, and longtime nonfarming residents. We mailed 1,040 surveys and 293 were returned (28.9%). Forty-five percent were interested or extremely interested in forest farming and 36% were likely or extremely likely to lease land. Rates of interest in forest farming and leasing were similar across owner types, suggesting broad appeal among family forest owners. Study Implications: Forest farming of nontimber forest products (NTFPs) and leasing forestland for this practice is broadly appealing across diverse family forest owners in Appalachia. Opportunities to scale profitable forest farming are on the rise, potentially improving family forest management and spurring regional economic development. Study results indicate there is a critical mass of family forest owners interested in forest farming who could potentially supply cultivated NTFPs. Forest management professionals and stakeholders would benefit from considering how they can assist family forest owners who are interested in forest farming.
- Forest Food and Medicine in Contemporary AppalachiaTrozzo, Katie E.; Munsell, John F.; Niewolny, Kimberly L.; Chamberlain, James L. (2019-03)Forest food and medicine have a long history in Appalachian culture, but the region's social landscape is shifting from in-migration of amenity seekers and out-migration of multigenerational residents in search of economic opportunities. As a result, much of what we know about harvest and use has likely changed. We conducted 16 interviews with people involved in harvesting forest food and medicine in a Southwest Virginia community. Our study focused on participants' motivations to work with forest food and medicine, species preferences (edible versus medicinal), and uses (home use versus market sales). Financial benefits, nature, and personal preferences were key motivators. We compared data between multigenerational residents and newcomers to the area. Multigenerational residents emphasized income through market sales of medicinal forest species, noting harvest of multiple product types (plants, bark, leaves, buds). They also mentioned edible species (mushrooms and nuts), but to a lesser degree. On the other hand, newcomers were more likely to balance their focus between medicinal and edible forest species as well as home use and market sales. When compared to multigenerational participants, they were more inclined toward a broad suite of edible species (mushrooms, nuts, fruit, plants); however for medicinal forest species they limited harvesting to herbaceous plants. Shared motivators offer a starting point for regional programs that address the needs of both multigenerational residents and newcomers. As the future unfolds, residents are collectively shaping the next chapter in Appalachia's forest food and medicine culture in a way that meets socioeconomic goals while maintaining the region's natural resources for future generations.
- Non-timber forest product livelihood opportunities in AppalachiaTrozzo, Katie E. (Virginia Tech, 2019-12-10)Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have been harvested in the wild for generations in Appalachia. Demand for forest farmed raw material and transparent supply chains is growing, which has increased attention on the role of NTFPs in regional livelihoods. We conducted an embedded case study to understand contemporary NTFP harvest, perceptions of community-based development of NTFP livelihood opportunities, and the extent to which forest landowners are interested forest farming. One case study focused on Grayson County, Virginia and included semi-structured interviews with 16 key stakeholders. Interviews explored motivations, species preferences, and uses of NTFPs among individuals and then perceived assets, obstacles, and desired strategies for NTFP livelihood development within the community. Through qualitative analysis we found financial benefits, engagement with nature, and personal preferences (personal fulfillment, learning and creativity, and lifestyle) were key motivators. Newcomers to Appalachia were more likely to balance monetary, environmental, and lifestyle motivations, and multigenerational residents focused more on financial motivations and to a lesser degree lifestyle. We used the community capitals framework to analyze the community focused data and found references to natural, human, and cultural capital as both an asset and an obstacle. Financial capital was a top-obstacle whereas social capital was a top asset. Strategies focused on social, human, and financial capital investments such as social networking, educational programming, tax incentive programs, and local fundraising. The regional case study surveyed via mail those who own 5 or more acres of forestland in 14 Southwest Virginia Appalachian counties to understand extent to which they are interested in forest farming or leasing land for forest farming. We had a response rate of 28.9% and found 45% of forest landowners, owning 47% of the forestland, were interested in forest farming. Those that were likely to lease their land accounted for 36% of all respondents and owned 43% of the forestland. Further, those who were interested did not differ based on demographic and land characteristics. Our study reveals the contemporary state of NTFP livelihoods combines markets sales with broader homesteading objectives and that lifestyle and environmental motivators are an increasing focus as newcomers take roots in the region. Further, communities may be able to draw upon the cultural and natural capital around NTFPs as well as the strong social capital often present in rural communities to further invest in social networking, education, financial incentives, and funding to support NTFP livelihood development. Finally, forest farming and leasing of land for this practice is of considerable and broad appeal to forestland owners in Southwest Virginia, which may indicate possibilities for a critical mass to supply a growing demand for sustainably sourced and quality NTFP raw materials.