This is an issue that may frustrate people interested in starting forest farming. You can check with local nurseries that sell native plants or that specialize in the types of plants you want to grow (herbs, medicinal plants, fruits). One great site for herbs is out of North Carolina — start with this one — (www.ces.ncsu.edu). You can also check the USDA National Agroforestry Center for information about forest farming and growing non-timber forest products at www.unl.edu/nac/agroforestrynotes. Look for networks related to the type of plants you want to cultivate. Examples of organizations include the Herb Society of America (herbsociety.org) and the Institute for Culture and Ecology (www.ifcae.org), which has additional links to non-timber forest product (NTFP) sites. Check with your local Cooperative Extension agent, who may be able to assist you in finding local resources. A search on the Internet can result in some good sources. Also, the plant that you want to forest farm may be available through seed companies. For example, Johnny's Selected Seeds Company (www.johnnyseeds.com) is a good place to start. Look for other similar companies. There are lots of them.

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