## 3332 Falcon Ridge Community Food Forest ### Cover Page **Landowner:** Jim Jay Rasche **Address:** 3332 Falcon Ridge Dr, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 **Phone:** 415-301-8471 **Email:** [email protected] **Plan Duration:** January 2025 - December 2030 **Forest Acres:** 2.5 acres **Legal Description:** Kent County, Michigan [Township, Range, Section - see property deed] **Property Tax ID:** [See property tax statement] **Plan Prepared by:** Jim Jay Rasche with AI assistance **Date:** January 2025 --- ## Executive Summary ### Landowner Goals and Objectives 1. **Transform heavy clay soil into productive growing medium** using biological methods 2. **Establish community food forest** producing leafy greens, fruits, nuts, and mushrooms 3. **Manage stormwater** from neighborhood runoff through natural systems 4. **Remove invasive species** (buckthorn, privet) and establish native/edible plants 5. **Create wildlife habitat pond** with community gathering space 6. **Build community resilience** through education and shared food production ### Summary of Recommended Activities |Year|Primary Activities|Outcomes| |---|---|---| |2025|Invasive removal, soil amendment begins, tree inventory|Clear 1 acre, establish compost systems| |2026|Sheet mulching, cover crops, first food beds|Produce 500 lbs leafy greens| |2027|Pond construction, major tree planting|0.25-acre pond, 50+ fruit/nut trees| |2028|Food forest establishment, pathway creation|Full canopy structure planted| |2029|Community education programs begin|Host 12 workshops annually| |2030|Model site hosting regional tours|Inspire 10+ neighborhood projects| --- ## Property Description ### General Overview This 2.5-acre headwater property in the Grand River watershed currently consists of: - **West Slope:** 75 ft with 8% grade, heavily invaded - **Ravine:** 100 ft long, receives neighborhood runoff - **Valley:** 50 x 40 ft clearing with heavy clay soil - **East Slope:** 5 ft with 4% grade transition - **Channel:** Ephemeral drainage receiving ~2 acres of neighborhood runoff The property processes stormwater from approximately half the neighborhood, making water quality improvements here valuable for the entire Grand River watershed. ### Current Forest Conditions **Canopy:** Mostly closed canopy (60-90% coverage) **Understory:** Dominated by invasive shrubs (buckthorn, privet) **Groundcover:** Creeping jenny, lesser celandine, fringed willow herb **Soil:** Heavy clay throughout (Glynwood series on slopes, Saylesville series in valley) **Notable Trees:** - Mature oak (heritage tree) - Surviving ash trees with basal resprouts - Japanese snowball (ornamental) --- ## Natural Resources Assessment ### Forest Health - **Primary concern:** Invasive species preventing regeneration - **Emerald ash borer:** Some ash mortality with resilient resprouts - **Strategy:** Remove invasives, monitor for oak wilt, promote natives ### Soil Resources **From NRCS Web Soil Survey:** - **18C** Glynwood loam (51.2%): Moderately well-drained, high runoff - **45D/E** Perrinton loam (33%): Well-drained slopes, erosion risk - **68B** Saylesville silt loam (15.5%): Valley bottom, best agricultural soil **Current condition:** Compacted clay with poor biological activity **Management:** Sheet mulching, cover crops, weed tea applications ### Water Resources - **Ephemeral stream:** Carries neighborhood runoff through property - **Wetland areas:** Small seasonal pools in valley - **Planned pond:** 10,000 sq ft (0.23 acres) for recreation/habitat - **Watershed position:** Headwater property in Grand River watershed ### Invasive Species (Highest Priority) - **Common buckthorn:** 5+ mature trees with extensive seedlings - **Border privet:** Multiple shrubs throughout - **Creeping jenny:** Extensive groundcover - **Lesser celandine:** Spring ephemeral in wet areas ### Special Sites - **Heritage oak:** Large specimen near house - **Community gathering area:** Planned for valley - **Pond site:** Natural depression in valley --- ## Management Strategies ### Desired Future Conditions By 2030, transform this property into: - **Productive food forest** with 3 canopy layers - **Healthy soil** with 4-6" of biologically active topsoil - **Clean water** system treating neighborhood runoff - **Community hub** for education and food production - **Wildlife haven** with pond, native plants, and diverse habitat ### Best Management Practices - Follow Michigan Forestry BMPs for soil and water quality - Minimize soil disturbance (no tilling) - Maintain vegetated buffers (food forest plants) near water - Use mechanical removal and mulching for invasives (no herbicides) - Time work for frozen/dry soil conditions --- ## Implementation Schedule ### 2025: Foundation Year **Winter/Spring:** - Complete tree inventory with community volunteers - Begin invasive removal (focus on buckthorn) - Apply for EQIP funding (FY26 cycle) **Summer/Fall:** - Monthly weed tea production (100 gallons/month) - Plant cover crops (daikon, clover mix) - Clear and mulch 0.5 acres for food production - Begin community education events ### 2026: Soil Building Intensive **Spring:** - Establish raised beds for leafy greens (2,000 sq ft) - Continue invasive removal - Plant nitrogen-fixing shrubs **Summer/Fall:** - Apply 4-6" wood chips on cleared areas - Expand cover crop program - Harvest first significant produce - Apply for pond permits ### 2027: Water Feature Year **Spring/Summer:** - Construct 10,000 sq ft pond - Install water circulation system - Plant riparian buffers **Fall:** - Major tree planting (50+ fruit/nut trees) - Establish mushroom production area ### 2028-2030: Maturation Phase - Complete food forest plantings - Develop educational signage - Host regular workshops - Document and share model --- ## Monitoring Plan ### Annual Tasks - Photo monitoring from fixed points - Tree health assessment (0-100 scale) - Invasive species survey - Water quality testing (before/after rain) - Production records (pounds by crop) - Volunteer hours tracking ### Adaptive Management - Adjust species selection based on survival - Modify water features for optimal function - Expand successful production areas - Document lessons learned --- ## Financial Resources ### Potential EQIP Practices - **314** Brush Management: $400/acre - **340** Cover Crop: $65/acre/year - **484** Mulching: $650/acre - **612** Tree/Shrub Establishment: $850/acre - **657** Wetland Restoration: $3,000/acre ### Other Funding Sources - Kellogg Foundation (food systems) - Great Lakes Protection Fund - Community fundraising - Workshop revenue --- ## Regulatory Compliance ### Permits Needed - EGLE wetland permit for pond - Kent County soil erosion permit (if needed) ### Legal Compliance - Right to Forest Act protects forest management activities - General liability insurance recommended - Verify zoning allows agriculture/forestry use --- ## Funding Strategy ### Phased Approach **Phase 1 - Infrastructure (EQIP/NRCS):** - Invasive species removal ($400/acre) - Wood chip mulching ($650/acre) - Cover crop establishment ($65/acre/year) - Pond construction as wetland ($3,000) - Total potential: $8,000-12,000 **Phase 2 - Community Programs (Private Foundations):** _Kellogg Foundation (Local food systems):_ - Community education workshops - Tool library establishment - Harvest sharing program - Youth engagement activities - Typical grants: $5,000-25,000 _Great Lakes Protection Fund (Water quality):_ - Water monitoring equipment - Demonstration rain gardens - Neighbor engagement programs - Typical grants: $10,000-50,000 _Erb Family Foundation (Michigan environment):_ - Native plant installations - Pollinator habitat creation - Climate resilience planning - Typical grants: $10,000-30,000 **Phase 3 - Sustainability (Mixed Sources):** - Workshop fees ($25-50/person) - Plant sales from propagation - CSA-style memberships - Crowdfunding for specific projects ### Strategic Sequencing 1. **Year 1:** Apply for EQIP (infrastructure prep) 2. **Year 2:** Private grants (program development) 3. **Year 3+:** Fee-based programs (self-sustaining) This approach separates infrastructure costs (government funded) from community programming (foundation funded), making each application stronger. --- ### A. Species Lists **Trees to Plant:** - Pawpaw, serviceberry, hazelnut - Apple, pear, cherry varieties - Black walnut, heartnut **Cover Crops:** - Daikon radish, crimson clover - White Dutch clover, red clover - Buckwheat, winter rye ### B. Community Partners - Kent Conservation District - Adjacent property owners - Local schools for education ### C. References - Michigan Forestry BMPs - NRCS Practice Standards - Web Soil Survey data --- **Landowner Commitment:** "I commit to implementing this plan to create a productive, educational, and ecologically sound food forest that serves my community and protects our watershed." --- Jim Jay Rasche, Date