Food Forest Design (Suburban Scale)

Regenerative living, beginning at home

I discovered permaculture while studying environmental and cultural sustainability in graduate school, where I later wrote my master’s thesis on using permaculture principles to support addiction recovery.

As someone who has personally struggled with PTSD and addiction, permaculture became more than an academic interest—it became a way of life. Working with the land, producing food, and living within regenerative systems proved profoundly healing. The deeper I studied, the more permaculture simply made sense—especially in a time marked by freshwater depletion, soil loss, habitat destruction, fragile supply chains, and growing social uncertainty. The design of Food Forests was particularly interesting and exciting to me, and this is where most of my focus has been on the homestead.

At Forest Cradle, my goal is simple: to help build resilient communities rooted in regenerative agriculture and local food systems. I believe meaningful change begins at home, in our own yards and neighborhoods.

Over the past four years, I have dedicated myself to developing our homestead systems. This work includes creating a gravity-fed water system from a mountain creek, restoring a five-acre clearing for ducks, chickens, and geese to forage, and establishing a diverse nursery of 20+ fruit/nut tree and shrub species, along with culinary plants and medicinal herbs.

After years of labor-intensive establishment, I am now moving into the next phase—expanding production through plant propagation, integrating livestock into food systems for fertilization and pest control, and offering plant starters and guidance to others ready to begin their own regenerative journey.

I now offer suburban-scale permaculture design consultations for individuals and families interested in transforming lawns and unused spaces into productive, resilient food landscapes. I also advocate for homeowners navigating HOA or neighborhood resistance to food forest projects, and I am happy to support clients in community discussions and meetings.

If you’re ready to grow nutrient-dense food while supporting the health of your local ecosystem and community, I would love to help.

Contact Freeman:
(828) 507-8206; jordanf8130@gmail.com

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