Food Forest Foundations: An Immersive Half-Day Workshop

A Half-Day, Immersive Workshop Experience

Join us for an immersive journey into the world of food forests, where we'll explore the art and science of creating thriving ecosystems that provide an abundance of food, habitat, and beauty. 

In this dynamic 5-hour workshop, participants will dive deep into the principles, design, and practical implementation of food forests, guided by Mike Garcia, Owner & Operator of Everoak Farm in Orlando, and Tyler Zaworski, Head of Food Forest at 4Roots Farm.

What You’ll Experience

• Learn About Food Forestry: Discover the fundamentals of food forest ecology, including plant selection, guild planting, and sustainable design principles.

• Explore the Food Forest at 4Roots Farm: Delve into the diverse layers of a food forest and understand how each component contributes to its resilience and productivity.

• Experience Hands-On Learning: Get your hands dirty with practical demonstrations and activities, from soil preparation to plant propagation, tailored to all skill levels.

• Connect with Community: Engage in lively discussions and share experiences with like-minded enthusiasts, fostering a supportive community of food forest advocates.

• Leave Empowered: Leave empowered with the knowledge, skills, and resources to embark on your own food forest journey, whether in a backyard garden or a community space. 

• Take-Home Materials to Help You Get Started: Each attendee will receive a banana corm and a curated seed mix to begin growing at home.

Beginner-Friendly

This workshop is perfect for gardeners, permaculture enthusiasts, environmental educators, and anyone curious about sustainable food production and regenerative agriculture practices.

No prior experience is necessary, just a passion for learning and a desire to cultivate abundance in harmony with nature!

Event Details

📆 Date & Time: Saturday, June 27th | 8:30am - 1:30pm
📍 Location: 4Roots Farm Campus, 1101 N John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL
🎟️ Ticket Price: $50 per attendee

Meet Your Instructors

Mike Garcia | Owner & Operator of Everoak Farm

Mike Garcia is the Owner & Operator of Everoak Farm: a small, bio-intensive and regenerative family farm in the heart of Orlando.

As a self-taught first-generation farmer with a deep-rooted passion for sustainable agriculture and regenerative farming practices, Mike’s journey began in the culinary world, where he honed his skills and expertise through formal training at culinary school and over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry.

Driven to reconnect with the land and foster a more sustainable food system, Mike transitioned from the kitchen to the fields, embracing a holistic approach to farming rooted in agroecology. Drawing inspiration from nature's wisdom, Mike practices integrating bio-intensive market gardening, agroforestry, pasture poultry, and composting to cultivate healthy, nutrient-rich soil and promote biodiversity on his farm.

Tyler Zaworski | Head of Food Forest at 4Roots Farm

Tyler Zaworski serves as the Head of Food Forest at 4Roots Farm, where he helps steward and expand the Farm Campus’ regenerative growing spaces through sustainable agriculture practices and ecosystem-based design.

Passionate about growing food and empowering others to do the same, Tyler specializes in food forest cultivation, edible landscaping, plant propagation, and regenerative growing techniques that work in harmony with Florida’s natural environment.

Through hands-on education and community engagement, Tyler helps visitors connect more deeply to where their food comes from while demonstrating how productive, resilient ecosystems can be created at any scale: from backyard gardens to larger community spaces. His approachable teaching style and practical experience make him passionate about helping others gain the confidence and knowledge to begin their own growing journey.