Matthew Nadu
Think Globally, Act Locally.
Managing a Florida food forest isn't just about planting trees; it's about nurturing an ecosystem that sustains itself, feeds the community, and reflects the abundance God provides. At Bring Back Eden, we build our efforts on four foundational principles that connect land stewardship, abundance, curiosity, and the grace of forgiveness. Let's dive into these principles and see how to transform your land into a thriving food forest inspired by biblical teachings.
Principle 1: Vision with Abundance
Creating a food forest starts with envisioning abundance—not just in terms of crops, but also in life, health, and joy. In John 10:10, Jesus says, "I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly." This scripture inspires us to consider a garden that overflows, not only in fruit and vegetables but in purpose and harmony. A thriving food forest has layers—trees, shrubs, and ground cover—all working together to create a diverse and productive ecosystem.
Steps to Achieve Abundance in Your Food Forest:
- Diversity Planting: Start by selecting a wide range of plants—fruit trees, nitrogen-fixing trees, edible shrubs, herbs, and vines. Diversity builds resilience.
- Nurturing Soil: Focus on soil health through composting, mulching, and building microbial communities. Healthy soil is the foundation for abundant growth.
- Water Harvesting: Implement swales and rain gardens to capture and use every drop of rainwater. Efficient water management can turn scarcity into abundance.
Principle 2: Curiosity in Design
Curiosity is vital in the food forest. Just as God asks us to observe nature, understanding that every plant, animal, and element of creation serves a unique purpose, we also take a curious approach to our Florida food forests. Curiosity allows us to innovate, question, and learn.
Practical Steps for Designing with Curiosity:
- Observation Days: Spend time observing the light patterns, water flow, and soil quality before starting. Every space is different, and curiosity helps you design accordingly.
- Experimentation Zones: Allocate a small section of the forest for experiments—try new plant species or permaculture techniques and note their results.
- Learn from the Bible: In Proverbs 27:23, we're reminded to "know well the condition of your flocks." Likewise, understanding each plant's needs helps you create a system that thrives.
Principle 3: Resilience through Forgiveness
Failure is part of the journey, especially in gardening. When an attempt to grow something doesn't work out, we embrace forgiveness as we seek to understand, adapt, and move forward. Nature is forgiving, and so should we be.
Actions to Foster Resilience through Forgiveness:
- Record Failures: Keep a garden journal to record successes and failures. Each mistake teaches a valuable lesson.
- Replanting: If a plant doesn’t thrive, evaluate why and try again or replace it with something better suited to that environment.
- Pray Over the Land: Forgiveness begins with God. Pray over the land, your work, and for wisdom when challenges arise, just as Jesus taught about persistence in Luke 11:9.
Principle 4: Community Engagement
Community is an essential part of a flourishing Florida food forest. "Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them" (Matthew 18:20). By involving others, we build relationships, share knowledge, and steward the land together.
Steps to Foster Community:
- Local Workshops: Host workshops to teach others about food forests. Engaging with your community helps spread knowledge and gets more people involved in stewardship.
- Harvest Events: Organize harvest parties where community members can come together, share the bounty, and learn from one another.
- Volunteer Days: Invite people to help with larger tasks, such as building a swale or planting a new section. These days are great for bonding and sharing the gospel message.
These principles of abundance, curiosity, forgiveness, and community form the basis of a flourishing food forest and a Christ-centered life. By embracing these values, we honor God’s creation and build something that provides sustenance for both the body and soul.
We would love to hear from you! Let us know which of these principles resonates most with you. If you’re interested in learning more about Bring Back Eden's mission to create a regenerative Florida food system and want to start your own Florida Food Forest, visit us atBringBackEden.co.
