Mount Airy Food Forest

A Community-Driven Edible Landscape

The Mount Airy Food Forest is a community-led initiative designed to provide free, sustainable, and locally grown food while promoting environmental education and ecological stewardship. Located on Rising Ridge, this public food forest is a shared space where fruit trees, berry bushes, herbs, and edible perennials thrive—available for all to enjoy.

What is a Food Forest?

A food forest is a self-sustaining ecosystem that mimics natural forests but is intentionally designed with edible and medicinal plants. By layering different plant species—such as fruit and nut trees, shrubs, vines, and ground covers—a food forest creates a diverse, low-maintenance, and regenerative food source.

Our Mission

The Mount Airy Food Forest is dedicated to:

Increasing community access to fresh, organic produce.

Promoting sustainability and biodiversity through regenerative agriculture.

Providing a space for education, workshops, and hands-on learning experiences.

Supporting local pollinators and improving soil health.

How It Works

Open to All: The food forest is a shared community space, and anyone is welcome to harvest responsibly—taking only what they need and ensuring future growth.

Volunteer & Learn: We host educational events for those interested in gardening, permaculture, and sustainability.

Planned Crops: The food forest includes a variety of fruit trees, berry bushes, herbs, and perennial vegetables, carefully selected to thrive in our region.

Get Involved

Want to support the Mount Airy Food Forest? Here’s how you can help:

Volunteer – Join a workday and help plant, prune, and maintain the space.

Donate – Contributions help expand and sustain the food forest.

Spread the Word – Share our mission with friends, schools, and local organizations.

For more information, to get involved, or to donate, contact Drew Heartley at dheartley@mountairymd.gov.

Together, we can cultivate a greener, healthier, and more connected community.