Welcome to the Agroforestry Resource Center
Pre-registration and pre-payment are required for all programs. For registration information, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Greene County 518-622-9820 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You may also register for programs by emailing greene@cornell.edu by the registration deadline. Program fees are per person and non-refundable. Photos may be taken at workshops for publicity purposes. If you have special needs related to program participation, please contact the office. Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.
Art Exhibit “Sand, Stone and Paint”
Featuring Regional Artist Ida Pagano
The exhibit will run from June 1 through July 28
Ms. Pagano, from Rensselaer County, has a long list of venues where her work has been exhibited and she has received awards including Arts Walk Hudson, RCCA Fence Show in Rensselaer, Colonie Art League Show, and Troy’s Riverfront Art Show. Ms. Pagano has taught Sketching Nature to adults at Olana State Historic Site, Egg Tempura and Leaf Printing at Thatcher Park, and other art programs to adults and children. She attended SUNY Geneseo where she earned a BS in Fine Arts. Her exhibit “Sand, Stone and Paint” illustrates many of her perspectives and talents. The “Sand” refers to painting done with sand, inspired by Native American sand paintings. The “Stone” refers to paintings done on antique roofing slate inspired by both pre-historic cave paintings and by whimsy and nature. The “Paint” refers to paintings and monotype prints inspired by nature, depicting landscapes that allow her to explore the subtle variations and the endless possibilities of what she thinks of as alternative dimensions.
Veggie Garden Workshop: Tackling Garden Pests
Date: Saturday, June 26 Registration deadline: June 24
Time: 12:30-4:00 p.m. Cost: $20.00 per person
Presenters: Crystil Lee Skoda, Extension Educator and Rick Burstell, Program Educator
This workshop focuses on how to protect your garden from insects, diseases and larger pests such as deer, rabbits, voles and woodchucks. A discussion of control methods including Integrated Pest Management (IPM), cultural methods to prevent insects and diseases, as well as fencing and repellents, will be included in this timely workshop.
4-H Beginner Archery
Dates: Mondays & Wednesdays Registration Deadline: June 25
June 28, 30; July 7, 12, 14, 19 Cost: $50.00 per person
Time: 6:00-8:00 p.m.
The 4-H Archery Club is a 4-H special interest club for youth ages 9 to 19 who would like to improve their skills in archery. The goal of the 4-H Archery Club is to enhance the development of self-concept, character and personal growth through safe, fun and educational shooting activities. The 4-H Archery Club will promote the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship and ethical behavior. Target archery is a non-competitive, skill building activity that helps to develop self-confidence and camaraderie amongst club members. In order to participate in this program, your child must be a registered 4-H member.
Registration materials must be received with payment for the program by Friday, June 25. Please note that we can only accept twelve children in 4-H Beginner Archery and these members will be registered on a first come – first served basis. Completion of the 4-H Beginner Archery program is a pre-requisite for membership in the year-round 4-H Archery Club.
Grazing and Making Hay for Horse Owners
Date: Wednesday, July 14 Registration Deadline: July 12
Time: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Cost: $10.00 per person
Presenters: Elizabeth Marks, Hudson Mohawk Resource Conservation & Development Coordinator and
Mick Bessire, Agricultural Extension Educator
Are you interested in learning how to grow better grass for your horses? Elizabeth Marks will share low-cost methods of improving your horse’s health, and reducing feed costs - by increasing the quality of your pastures. She’ll talk about the challenges of grazing horses and how to accommodate them, creating the right soil conditions to grow good grass, ways to set up a grazing system that works for you and your horse, what grass species are good to grow, and health benefits as well as potential problems associated with grazing horses. Elizabeth Marks is the Hudson Mohawk Resource Conservation and Development Coordinator with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service as well as a horse owner.
In the second part of the program, led by Mick Bessire, we’ll be looking at the next best thing to good pasture – good quality hay for your horses. We’ll be studying the science of what good hay really consists of; what it looks, feels, and even smells like; and ways to make, or choose hay that can assure you that you’re putting the best feed possible in front of your steeds.
This workshop is co-sponsored by the HMRC&D Council.
Stories by the Pond: The Beeman
Dates: Thursday, July 15 Registration Deadline: July 9
Time: 10:00-11:30 a.m. Cost: $15.00 per family
Presenter: Crystil-Lee Skoda, Extension Educator
Venture to the pond at the Siuslaw Model Forest and bring the young and young at heart. Participants will enjoy learning about our small friend the honey bee while listening to the children’s book, The Beeman. After the story we will play a game that explores how honey bees affect our food system. After the festivities families will be invited to picnic and walk in the Siuslaw Model Forest. Children of all ages are invited to participate with their parents.
Forensic Adventures, Youth Half Day Camp
Dates: Mondays (July 19-August 9) Registration Deadline: July 9
Time: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Cost: $40.00 per person
Grades: 9 & up
Location: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia County, Hudson, NY
Presenters: Beth Horton and Crystil-Lee Skoda, Extension Educators
This is a joint program sponsored by the Cornell Cooperative Extensions of Columbia and Greene Counties and Columbia-Greene Community College. Over four Mondays we will explore forensic careers and perform labs in the areas of Anthropology, Environmental Science, Glass, Blood Serum Analysis, Paint Analysis and Entomology. Participants will solve the Mystery of the Bones, the Contamination of Cater Creek, identify the different compositions of glass and analyze blood and match it to a crime scene. We’ll be traveling to the Community College for some of the labs.
Youth involved with the program will work with chemicals. When working with these chemicals they will be required to wear gloves and safety glasses which will be provided. Please sign up for this program by calling (518) 828-3069.
Volunteer Day – Help Construct Rain Barrels
Date: Sunday, July 25 Registration Deadline: July 22
Time: 1:30-4:30 p.m. Cost: Free!
Presenters: Liz LoGiudice, Extension Educator
We’re looking for volunteers to help us construct our rain barrels. Learn how to make a rain barrel and help CCE Greene with our rain barrel fundraiser. We’ll spend the afternoon installing components into the rain barrels and having a great time! This volunteer opportunity is suitable for adults and youth ages 14 and older.
Mushroom Foray
Date: Sunday, July 25 Registration Deadline: July 22
Time: 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Cost: $15.00 per person
Presenter: Bob Beyfuss, Agroforestry professional and retired Extension Educator
One of the best ways to learn about wild mushrooms is to accompany an experienced mushroom person into the field. This foray will occur at the Siuslaw Model Forest. As we explore its mushroom-rich woods, Bob will talk about the mushrooms he recognizes and discuss their edible, medicinal, and other usages. After the walk, we will sort and display the mushrooms on tables in a hands-on session, where you will learn some of the methods used in identifying them. Join us for an interesting outing and ID class. Dress for the weather. In the event of extended dry conditions the forays may be rescheduled. There is a limit of 10 participants for this program. The program will be offered again on August 29 and September 26.
Woodland Stroll
Date: Tuesday, July 27 Registration deadline: July 26
Time: 5:00-7:00 p.m. Cost: $5.00 per individual or family
Presenter: Marilyn Wyman, Extension Educator
Come and join us for a stroll through the Siuslaw Model Forest (SMF) in the early evening. These leisurely walks are designed to introduce you to the SMF and become familiar with all the interesting and important demonstrations there. They will also offer serendipitous opportunities to view nature, which any woodland walk provides. These strolls are weather dependent.
Catskill Creek Watershed – The Source!
Date: Friday, July 30 Registration deadline: July 28
Time: 6:00-8:00 p.m. Cost: $5.00 per individual or family
Presenters: Liz LoGiudice, Extension Educator and Fran Martino, River Haggie Outdoors
Come and explore the Franklinton Vlaie, a 185-acre wetland that is a New York State Wildlife Management area and contains the source waters of the Catskill Creek. We will explore the natural and cultural history of the Vlaie and gain an understanding of how its waters influence upland portions of the Catskill Creek. The Franklinton Vlaie is located in the Town of Broome, Schoharie County. Directions to the rendezvous site will be provided upon registration. This program is suitable for families with children ages 8 and older. This program is funded, in part, by a grant from the NYS DEC Hudson River Estuary Program.
CCE Greene at the Batavia Kill Stream Celebration, Ashland NY
Date: Saturday, August 7 Raindate: Sunday, August 8
Time: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Free Admission
Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Agroforestry Resource Center will be participating in the 4th Annul Batavia Kill Stream Celebration. This family educational event celebrates Catskill streams through stewardship and activities for people of all ages including a variety of interactive and educational displays on natural resource protection, active programming for kids and adults emphasizing stream stewardship, family-oriented activities. The event includes guided hikes, fishing contests, plant and bird identification walks, music and Arm of the Sea Theater. Look for our booth where we will be illustrating various tree identification tips.
Stanley Maltzman Plein Air Drawing Classes
Date: Saturdays, August 7 & 14 Registration Deadline: August 4
Time: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Cost: $95.00 per person
Instructor: Stanley Maltzman, Professional Artist.
Renowned regional artist, author and educator, Stanley Maltzman, has often been asked, what kind of pencil did he use for a particular drawing, and the answer he gives is “a thousand hour pencil” meaning that was not the pencil he used but the culmination of many years of observing and a continuous love of drawing. In this workshop, Stanley will introduce and demonstrate the techniques and understanding attained through his many years of observing and drawing outdoors. He'll show you how to use pencils, charcoal and other drawing tools, the proper way to sketch and draw, various techniques using graphite and charcoal pencils, elements of composition and approaching drawing from different perspectives. There will be descriptive demos and one-on-one critiques. It is Stanley’s hope that after the program, you will come to appreciate and understand that drawing is the essence of all good art and that nature is an inspirational subject to work with. This program will occur over two Saturdays, allowing participants to sketch in between, take notes, and bring them back for review. A list of supplies will be provided upon registration. Stanley’s book, Drawing Nature, will be available for purchase.
Explore a Forest
Dates: Wednesday, August 11 (rain date August 12) Registration Deadline: August 6
Time: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Cost: $25.00 per youth Ages: 9+
Presenter: Crystil-Lee Skoda, Extension Educator Bring your own bagged lunch
Spend a day in nature and join us for a fun-filled exploration of the Siuslaw Model Forest. We will take a nature walk and as we go we will learn about tree identification, meet a local forester, explore the wonderful gifts trees give us, scout for salamanders and more. Snacks will be provided, but participants must bring their own bagged lunch. Since this program is outdoors, it will be dependent on the weather. In the event of rain it will be held the following day (August 12). What better way for youth to spend the day than out in the woods?
Catskill Creek Watershed – The Mouth!
Date: Friday, August 13 Registration deadline: August 11
Time: 6:00- 8:00 p.m. Cost: $5.00 per individual or family
Presenter: Dick Brooks, Historic Catskill Point Manager; Liz LoGiudice, Extension Educator; and
Fran Martino, River Haggie Outdoors
Come and explore the Historic Catskill Point, the site of the confluence of the Catskill Creek and the Hudson River. We will investigate the cultural and land use history of the Point, which has served many purposes over the centuries. We will also examine the water quality in the tidal portion of the creek, which mixes with the river. This fun program will include a visit to the museum in the Freightmaster’s Building at the Historic Catskill Point. This program is suitable for families with children ages 8 and older. This program is funded, in part, by a grant from the NYS DEC Hudson River Estuary Program.
Art Reception: Inner Echoes in the Landscape
Featuring Tom Chestnut, Regional Artist
Reception: Friday, August 13 - 5:30-7:30 p.m. Cost: Free
The exhibit will run from August 1 through September 27
Tom Chestnut’s lifelong passion for art and the wilderness developed in his early childhood. As he grew, those passions created his love for landscape photography. Tom creates photographic images of the wilderness landscape using film capture and the digital darkroom. His goal is to express his deep spiritual connection with nature that has not been spoiled by human presence.
The image captured on film is enhanced using digital techniques, or the limitations of capture are overcome using techniques such as high dynamic range imaging, but nothing is created digitally that wasn’t already in the landscape. The resulting fine art photographic prints are output using an archival Giclee printing process. Currently, Tom’s work is exhibited and sold through galleries, art centers, retail shops and other outlets. He has recently participated in portfolio reviews and national workshops.
"A meditative stillness settles over me when in the wilderness away from human distractions. Going into wild areas by myself, I experience a deep spiritual connection with nature that has not been spoiled by human presence. Still water and reflections, some symmetrical and some not, fog and mist; all are serene. Simple visual designs and compositions with strong abstraction catch my eye. My image creation is inspired by painters such as the late works of Turner, Whistler’s nocturnes, and the tonalism of George Inness instead of other photographers. Use of the light-dark design principles of Notan, negative space, points, lines as well as soft colors and outlines, and indistinct shapes reinforce the sense of Zen-like stillness in my work."
Ecologically Based Lawn Workshop
Date: Saturday, August 14 Registration deadline: August 1
Time: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Cost: $10.00 per person
Presented by: Rick Burstell, Program Educator
Is your lawn healthy and dense? Do you have issues with weeds, moss or insects? There are some simple things you can do to prevent these problems from taking over the lawn. Late summer is the best time of year to care for and improve your lawn. Come find out the best way to maintain your lawn without pesticides or herbicides.
Stories by the Pond: The Tree Farmer
Dates: Thursday, August 19 Registration Deadline: August 13
Time: 10:00-11:30 a.m. Cost: $15.00 per family
Presenter: Crystil-Lee Skoda, Extension Educator
Venture to the pond at the Siuslaw Model Forest and bring the young and young at heart. Families will enjoy learning about the gifts trees give us while listening to the story, The Tree Farmer. After the story the group will be invited to play a game about forest products. After the festivities families will be invited to picnic and walk in the Siuslaw Model Forest. Children of all ages are invited to participate with their parents.
Eco-Fair
Date: Saturday, August 21
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Cost: Free
The Cairo Chamber of Commerce and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Greene County will be hosting an Eco-Fair at Cornell Cooperative Extensions’ Agroforestry Resource Center. This event will provide an opportunity for you to learn about regional businesses and organizations who will share their environmentally friendly ideas and efforts. You will also learn how to live in more sustainable ways that will help conserve and protect our natural resources. There will be educational presentations, fun youth activities, food vendors, hikes, local produce and much more.
Exploring Amphibians
A weeklong adventure in the woods and water of the Siuslaw Model Forest
Dates: Monday, August 23 through Friday, August 27 Registration Deadline: August 21
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost: $100 per child
Frogs and salamanders are creatures that spend part of their lives in the water and part of their lives on land. Participants in this weeklong workshop will have fun exploring amphibians and the watershed that supports them. Participants will enjoy hands-on experiences with amphibians and will create a play based on the book Frog Girl with Soup 2 Nuts Theater Company. The play will be performed for family and friends at 2:30 pm on Friday. This workshop is open to young people who are 8 to 13 years old. This program is made possible, in part, with public funds from the Decentralization Program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered through the Twin Counties Cultural Fund in Greene County by the Greene County Council on the Arts.
Mushroom Foray (CANCELLED DUE TO DRY WEATHER CONDITIONS)
Date: Sunday, August 29 Registration Deadline: August 26
Time: 10:00 am to 12:30 pm Cost: $15.00 per person
Presenter: Bob Beyfuss, Agroforestry professional and retired Extension Educator
One of the best ways to learn about wild mushrooms is to accompany an experienced mushroom person into the field. This foray will occur at the Siuslaw Model Forest. As we explore its mushroom-rich woods, Bob will talk about the mushrooms he recognizes and discuss their edible, medicinal, and other usages. After the walk, we will sort and display the mushrooms on tables in a hands-on session, where you can both help and learn some of the methods used in identifying them. Join us for an interesting outing and ID class. Dress for the weather. In the event of extended dry conditions the forays may be rescheduled. There is a limit of 10 participants for this program. The program will be offered again on September 26.
Woodland Stroll
Date: Tuesday, August 31 Registration deadline: August 30
Time: 5:00-7:00 p.m. Cost: $5.00 per individual or family
Presenter: Marilyn Wyman, Extension Educator
Come and join us for a stroll though the Siuslaw Model Forest (SMF) in the early evening. These leisurely walks are designed to introduce you to the SMF and become familiar with the all the interesting and important demonstrations there. They will also offer serendipitous opportunities to view nature, which any woodland walk provides. These strolls are weather dependent.
Evaluating Your Stream Banks
Date: Sunday, September 12 Registration deadline: September 10
Time: 2:00 –4:00 pm Cost: $10.00 per person
Presenters: Joel DuBois and Mark Vian, Catskill Creek Watershed Advisory Committee Members; Liz LoGiudice, Extension Educator
We will explore problems frequently faced by stream-side landowners, their causes, and potential techniques and strategies to enhance or preserve the stability and ecology of property in the riparian corridor. We will touch on topics such as the function of floodplains, channel down-cutting and grade stabilization, streambank protection, and debris & gravel management. The discussion will include the responsibilities of stream-side ownership and the role of regulatory agencies in stream maintenance activities. The program will include an indoor component and an outdoor, streamside component. This program is funded, in part, by a grant from the NYS DEC Hudson River Estuary Program.
Tree Care
Date: Saturday, September 18 Registration deadline: September 16
Time: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon Cost: $10.00 per person
Presenter: Rick Burstell, Program Educator
Many tree problems are the result of improper planting, improper pruning, poor tree selection and reckless maintenance. Knowing how, why and when to plant and prune will prevent many problems from starting in the first place. Once problems occur, treatment options may be limited. Come find out how to improve the health of your landscape by properly planting and maintaining your trees.
Hudson River Ramble at the Siuslaw Model Forest
Date: Sunday, September 19 Registration deadline: September 16
Time: 2:00-4:00 pm Cost: Free
The Siuslaw Model Forest is proud to be participating in the 11th Annual Hudson River Valley Ramble. Over two weekends more than 100 guided walks, hikes, paddles, bike tours, river explorations and cultural events will be held throughout the Hudson River Valley. The Siuslaw Model Forest Ramble includes exploring various habitats including ponds, meadows and various forest types in the breathtaking backdrop of the northern Catskill Mountains.
Putting Your Garden and Lawn to Bed
Date: Thursday, September 23 Registration deadline: September 21
Time: 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Cost: $10.00 per person
Presenter: Rick Burstell, Program Educator
What do you do with your garden, lawn and home landscape when the growing season is over to prepare for next spring? This program will discuss how to prepare your yard and garden plants for winter. We will look at ways to improve the survival rate of tender plants including many perennials, trees and shrubs. We will also look at how a general yard and garden clean-up will help prevent many of next year’s pests and diseases. Bring a soil sample or two for testing to determine whether your soil needs a pH adjustment.
Mushroom Foray
Date: Sunday, September 26 Registration Deadline: September 23
Time: 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Cost: $15.00 per person
Presenter: Bob Beyfuss, Agroforestry professional and retired Extension Educator
One of the best ways to learn about wild mushrooms is to accompany an experienced mushroom person into the field. This foray will occur at the Siuslaw Model Forest. As we explore its mushroom-rich woods, Bob will talk about the mushrooms he recognizes and discuss their edible, medicinal, and other usages. After the walk, we will sort and display the mushrooms on tables in a hands-on session, where you will learn some of the methods used in identifying them. Join us for an interesting outing and ID class. Dress for the weather. In the event of extended dry conditions the forays may be rescheduled. There is a limit of 10 participants for this program..
Agroforestry Opportunities
This program combines two of the most popular agroforestry products - ginseng and mushrooms.
Part One-Growing Mushrooms from A-Z
Part Two-Ginseng: A Primer for Beginners
Date: Tuesday, September 21 Registration deadline: September 17
Time: Mushrooms 1:00-2:30 p.m. Cost: $10.00 per person per session or
Ginseng 2:30–4:30 p.m. $15.00 per person for both
Presenter: Bob Beyfuss, Agroforestry professional and retired Extension Educator
Many delicious and unusual mushrooms may be grown at home using ordinary household equipment and readily available materials. It may even be possible to intentionally grow some wild mushrooms found in the forest. This class will describe the basics of growing mushrooms from spores to spawn or tissue culture all the way to fruiting on substrates ranging from logs to toilet paper! All participants will make an indoor oyster mushroom kit for personal enjoyment.
A Ginseng Primer is designed to teach individuals how to get started growing American ginseng on forested land. It will cover basic ginseng botany, economics of ginseng production, site selection criteria, harvesting and marketing. It will not discuss the medicinal effects of ginseng or ginseng products. It is aimed at landowners who are looking for alternative forest income opportunities as well as individuals who are interested in growing small quantities of ginseng for personal use. There will be an opportunity to see what this interesting and valuable plant looks like in a demonstration plot.
Small-Scale Woodlot Management & Low Impact Harvesting Workshop
Date: Saturday, October 23 Registrati
on deadline: October 21
Time: 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m
Cost: $10.00 per person
Presenter: Peter J. Smallidge, Ph.D., NYS Extension Forester and Director, Cornell University’s Arnot Teaching and Research Forest
Place: This workshop will be held in Columbia County. Location to be determined.
A large percentage of woodlot owners want or need to be more active in collecting logs or firewood from their property. On many properties, there are too few acres or too few trees to attract a commercial-scale operation. In other cases, the owner just wants to be more closely involved in the selection, felling and moving of the wood. Before woodland owners undertake these tasks, they need special skills to remain safe and to ensure they accomplish their goals. This workshop will help woodland owners learn the basic principles of small scale woodlot harvesting and management.
Participants at this workshop will learn how to inspect equipment and tools, utilize safe practices, understand basic silvicultural principles, and make appropriate tree selection choices for multiple ownership objectives. Also, participants will observe directional felling using a felling plan and observe the use of an ATV and arch for moving sawlogs and firewood. There will also be information on managing beech. The course is designed for novice to intermediate woodland owners and anyone interested in learning about and discussing sustainable woodland practices. Participants should dress for the weather. Hard hats are encouraged, although some will be available.
Co-sponsored by HMRC&D Council, NYFOA and Columbia Land Conservancy. Funds from the Columbia County Soil and Water Conservation District help support this program.
Attention Night Owls and Star Gazers!
We are organizing a star gazing activity for September. More information will follow soon.
2010 Trained Logger Certification Courses
The Trained Logger Certification (TLC) program was developed to provide loggers a comprehensive training program that covers tree felling techniques, Forest Ecology and Silviculture practices and First Aid/CPR skills. For a listing of programs covering these three areas of importance to loggers, including the Game of Logging that teaches appropriate chainsaw use and safety courses, contact Marilyn Wyman at 518-622-9820 ext 36 or refer to www.nyloggertraining.org.
