Tarpon Food Forest
A ecologically designed example of
sustainable semi-urban farming.

Abstract
Our community can collaborate to create
sustainable semi-urban farming to produce
local fruits and vegetables. This could
eventually evolve into a new local food
economy based upon production and
consumption of locally grown food. Reducing
our carbon footprint, creating jobs locally, and
feeding our families most in need.

Values and Ethics
Care for People
Care for the Planet
Fair Share

Principles

Goal setting
Identify Obstacles.
Figure out what we need to know.
Identify groups we can work with.
Develop a plan of action.
What’s in it for our community?

Obstacles
 Legal issues
 Lack of Experience
 Lack of resources
 Apathy to start environmental food project

What do we need to know?
• Find out any legal problems and meet requirements to
begin project.
• Seek mentors and active participants with knowledge.
(Grant writing, Native plants, Legal issues/College
issues, community networking)
• Cooperate with local groups to collaborate on
priorities of the community to share resources.
• Inspire volunteerism locally to resolve community
issues

Groups we can work with:
 GFWC Woman’s Club of Tarpon -
http://www.tarponspringswomansclub.org/
 Tarpon Alliance for Humanity-
http://www.pinellashomeless.org/information/helpful-
organizations/tarpon-alliance.html
 Tarpon Rotary - http://www.tarponrotary.org/
 Local churches
 Sheppard's Center
 Code Green Community
 ECHO Farms – nonprofit that trains in Tropical sustainable
agriculture

Plan of Action
• Development phase
– Make connections with
groups and persons.
– Craft agreements
– Design layout
• Action phase
– Create swales
– Plant trees
• Yield and Maintenance
– Sell portion at local farmers
market
– Share with local food banks
– Maintain forest for years to
come.

Development Phase
Creating Connections-
– Make contact with local groups – share this power
point and gather connections
– Locate Mentors – people willing to volunteer their
experience/knowledge/time/resources to achieving
the end result of the Food Forest.
– Host steering group meetings to layout and organize
for more connections.
– Feel free to email me personally Eric Stewart:
zetazhan@gmail.com

Design Layout
Design created by Robert Segundo, Permaculture Designer.

Action Phase
• Generate volunteerism in the local
community – Host discussions with
community, host events centered around
volunteering.
• Begin crafting swales adding organic
material
• Plant Tree’s – With the aim of having
them planted by the start of the raining
season- (June/July)

Yield and Maintenance
• Ongoing project year after year of harvesting
fruit. Sell portion at local farmers market and
give a portion to local food banks.
• Maintaining the forest by regularly adding more
organic matter as well as necessary pruning.
• Add new trees, possibly start up a tree nursery
for future projects.
• Share knowledge and wisdom with others.

What’s in it for our community?
• The creation of the food forest in Tarpon
Springs would be a working sustainable
agriculture project which yield can be sold
at local farmers markets as well as donated
to food shelters.
• An opportunity for a new local economy to
remerge based upon local food production
and consumption.