Food Forests For Everyone!
Forest Gardens (aka Food Forests) have been thoughtfully & intentionally crafted by humans for thousands of years! Using permaculture principles, we are able to collaborate with the natural processes of Earth. These biodiverse landscapes are loaded with fresh seasonal foods and resources for people and wildlife. Using this approach we can improve & beautify life for ourselves, our communities and the ecosystems we inhabit.
"Though the problems of the world are increasingly complex, the solutions remain embarrassingly simple."
- Bill Mollison (Founder of Permaculture)
Permaculture is beyond sustainable; it is regenerative! It is the conscious design and maintenance of harmonious agriculturally productive ecosystems, providing diversity, stability and resilience.
Your Local Forest Gardener
Kerem Kilic grew up in Marietta, GA and has had his roots in Athens, GA since 2010. He was introduced to gardening & foraging from a young age. He spent many beautiful Summers digging in the dirt, shaking mulberries from trees & playing hide & seek in his relatives’ fruit orchard in Turkey.
He graduated with honors in Genetics from UGA in 2013, where he developed an immense appreciation for the importance of ecological biodiversity. He also studied Genetics & Cellular Biology at Oxford University in England. Following graduation he researched hawksbill sea turtles in the Caribbean.
Upon returning to the mainland, Kerem expanded his understanding of how human systems impacted the environment by working at an animal sanctuary & an organic blueberry farm in Athens. There, he developed an interest in forest farming & permaculture. He moved to Northern California in 2016, where studied Environment & Community Studies at HSU. There he took a deep dive into permaculture, intently studying both alternative economies & the land management practices of many local farmers, foragers & the native Karuk tribe.
He received his Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) from Oregon State University, studying under the esteemed permaculturist, Andrew Millison. Since then, Kerem has joyfully dedicated himself to serving his community through urban farming, orchard management, nurturing local fruit trees & collaborating with neighbors that have taken an interest in restoring their landscapes into productive foodscapes. He has been developing his food forest & nursery on half an acre in Athens for the past two years. He is inspired & excited to share many wonderful useful plants with his community!