Forest McCormack
Regenerative Farmer
Forest represents the fourth generation of leadership at McCormack Farm, a family-owned operation dedicated to regenerative agriculture. The farm's commitment to enhancing ecological health drives its production of grassfed beef, pastured eggs, nuts, and berries. Embracing a holistic approach, Forest integrates principles of agroforestry and silvopasture to foster a harmonious relationship with nature and deliver the highest quality food to the community.
With a longstanding passion for arboriculture, particularly hardwoods and food trees, Forest has overseen the planting of 1,500 trees and shrubs over the past two years, with plans for continued expansion. He advocates for the broader application of agroforestry and silvopasture practices to conventional farming operations, believing these methods can introduce increased diversity, resilience, and profitability to farms throughout the Columbia Basin.
CULTIVATING CONNECTIONS: HOW PERENNIAL AGROFORESTRY FEEDS DIVERSITY AND MARKET OPPORTUNITY FOR PRODUCERS AND BUYERS
In the face of climate uncertainty and the growing demand for resilient local food systems, perennial crops like nut trees, fruit trees, and berry bushes provide a sustainable solution. This session will delve into the potential of crops such as chestnuts, walnuts, and mulberries, alongside integrated animal systems like silvopasture, within the Kootenays’ unique climate. We’ll explore practical strategies—such as alley cropping and integrated orchards—that enable producers to diversify their yields, reduce risks, and bolster local food security. These systems not only offer ecological benefits but also open up new market opportunities for both producers and buyers by fostering sustainable, long-term growth. Much like a mycelial network, perennial agriculture forms a resilient, interconnected system that promotes innovation and diversity. By connecting perennial crop production with processing and distribution, we can create a thriving ecosystem for regional food systems. The discussion will also highlight the crucial need for local food manufacturing, storage, and distribution infrastructure to support these efforts, ultimately unlocking the untapped potential for both farmers and buyers in the region.
FARM TOUR: McCormack Farm
Join Forest McCormack for an insightful tour of his multi-generational family farm in Burton. As the fourth generation to lead McCormack Farm, Forest has embraced a commitment to regenerative agriculture, steering the farm into new ventures while building on his family’s legacy. The farm produces grassfed beef, pastured eggs, nuts, and berries, with a focus on enhancing ecological health through innovative practices like agroforestry and silvopasture. Over the past two years, Forest has planted over 1,500 trees and shrubs, advocating for these sustainable practices to be adopted more widely to improve farm diversity, resilience, and profitability across the Columbia Basin.
CULTIVATING CONNECTION: HOW PERRENIAL AGROFORESTRY FEEDS DIVERSITY AND MARKET OPPORTUNITY FOR PRODUCERS AND BUYERS
In the face of climate uncertainty and the growing demand for resilient local food systems, perennial crops like nut trees, fruit trees, and berry bushes provide a sustainable solution. This session will delve into the potential of crops such as chestnuts, walnuts, and mulberries, alongside integrated animal systems like silvopasture, within the Kootenays’ unique climate. We’ll explore practical strategies—such as alley cropping and integrated orchards—that enable producers to diversify their yields, reduce risks, and bolster local food security. These systems not only offer ecological benefits but also open up new market opportunities for both producers and buyers by fostering sustainable, long-term growth. Much like a mycelial network, perennial agriculture forms a resilient, interconnected system that promotes innovation and diversity. By connecting perennial crop production with processing and distribution, we can create a thriving ecosystem for regional food systems. The discussion will also highlight the crucial need for local food manufacturing, storage, and distribution infrastructure to support these efforts, ultimately unlocking the untapped potential for both farmers and buyers in the region.