Resident Looks to Start Food Forest in Spring

A Canton resident planning a permaculture food forest said this week he will likely start in the spring of 2014. 

Jeffrey Pardo, manager for Abi Gezunt Farm, LLC plans to establish the sustainable agriculture venture on land he owns at 11 Westview Drive. 

The farming technique, described as a "create a low maintenance, sustainable plant-based food production and agroforesty system," integrates plants, especially perennials, into the existing ecosystem. 

Pardo said he is looking to cut and stack in late March or early April and subsequently plant cover crops, berry bushes and trees throughout spring and summer. 

Pardo said he's already ordered "antique" varieties of apple, pear, plum, peach and other trees. 

Pardo and the town's Inland Wetlands Agency recently settled a disagreement about regulation of the activity. 

"I'm pleased to have settled the appeal with the Town's Wetlands Agency," Pardo said. "The process gave each of us an opportunity to exchange views and understand the issues of importance to the other side. By putting the practical needs of the land first, we quickly found common ground and were able to avoid having to deal with the legal issues at all."

"I look forward to working with the Wetland Agency as we develop Abi Gezunt Farm into a food forest that provides abundance for our friends, neighbors, and the community," Pardo added. 

See more about the venture in the past stories on Patch: 

http://canton-ct.patch.com/groups/around-town/p/canton-resident-looks-to-establish-permaculture-food...

http://canton-ct.patch.com/groups/around-town/p/settlement-clears-way-for-permaculture-food-forest-i...