2026 Catalyzing Agroforestry Grant Program applications close on March 3, 2026.
Gardenlea Tissue Culture Lab and Farm
Marshall
Location:
Marshall
Total Acres:
10
Agroforestry Acres:
1 acre starting with a grant, more planned
Year Established:
Plant Tissue Culture Lab 10 years, Agroforestry 2 years
Introduction
We are an established tissue culture lab and beginning forest farm. We are presently cultivating a fenced forest acre to grow woodland plants, tea plants and fruits.
We are considering trials to select out clones that are drought /heat resistant in culture.
We will continue to fill our land with plants from our lab and are open to doing propagation for other farms and nurseries. Dormant scion is best starting material, seeds and rhizomes best starting material for soft crops.
Main Agroforestry Species
Would like to hear from other nurseries as to the species and cultivars they need bulked up. We currently have in production :mulberries, serviceberry, aronia, quince, forest medicinals and perennials.
Contact Information
Main Contact:
Christine Howells
Phone
610 368 1944
Email:
Website:
Social Link
Social Link
Site Visitors
Yes
Nursery or Planting Stock Provider Information
Agroforestry System Design
We are currently working on a "fenced in" acre of southwest facing sloped land in Marshall NC. It will be a site where we can produce new plants and store and maintain stock for bulking up in our lab. We are always open to submission of species for propagation.
We are removing trees ( poplar and pine to be inoculated with spawn) and planting Aronia ( still produce fruit in light shade) and woodland medicinals under them. The edges of the woodland area will be planted with edge species like mulberries, serviceberries and blueberries. We will be watching plants for exceptional performance in forest conditions and using those for propagation.
We have planned another fenced acre in a moist northwest swale, ginseng and other moist cove species. We can produce thousands easily in our lab.
Our site has exceptionally high deer pressure so fencing is necessary.
Personal or Collective Experiences
We are very excited about the opportunity to serve the agroforestry community. I believe my lab can help get starting material of crops vital to the growth of the industry.
Our work is threefold: develop our own agroforestry project that will produce products to sell locally, assist our neighbors here in Madison and Buncombe with their projects and assist the greater Forest farming community with plants they need in large numbers. The best way to contact us to discuss is email gardenleagardens@gmail.com.
January 19, 2026 at 6:16:06 PM