LIMA, N.Y. — Free Programs to help landowners get more benefits from their woodlots will be presented each day during the 2020 Farm Show in Syracuse by the New York Forest Owners Association.
Meet with a forester from the State Department of Environmental Conservation or speak with a Cornell trained volunteer. Visitors are encouraged to bring their questions and pause at the booth area before or after attending a seminar program. The DEC foresters and trained volunteers are there to help with resource materials, displays and expert advice.
Learn More, Earn More seminars are free and open to all. Topics include seminars on New York woodlands, trail creation and maintenance, federal cost sharing for woodlot improvements, white-tailed deer management, and long term legacy planning for your woodlot, among others. Programs start on the hour and allow time for questions and discussion.
The booth is on the main corridor of the Arts and Home Center, and the Seminars are held in the Somerset Room just steps away on the lower level of the Center.
These programs are presented by the New York Forest Owners Association in cooperation with the NY Department of Environmental Conservation, Cornell Cooperative Extension, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and with special thanks to each of our expert speakers.
Seminar Topics and Speakers
Thursday Feb. 27 Moderator Kristina Ferrare
1:00 PM-200 PM – Getting Federal Aid for Woodlot Improvements
Michael Fournier, US Dep’t of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service
There are several programs available to woods owners for financial assistance to improve your
property for timber, wildlife, watershed and other uses.
2:00 PM-3:00 PM – Attracting Wildlife: Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock
Andrew Weik, Biologist, Ruffed Grouse Society
Having wildlife on your property adds a lot and grouse and woodcock are 2 important species
here in New York. To attract them certain forest management practices are needed.
3-00 PM-4:00 PM- Renewable Energy From the Land: Wood Fuel to Solar and Wind
Edward and Peggy Neuhauser, Landowners and former energy consultant
Learn some of the efficient ways to harvest wood fuel and also the possibilities and cautions you
need to know before turning your land into a wind or solar power area.
Friday Feb. 28 Moderator Hugh Canham
10:00 AM-11:00 AM – Woodlot Thinning for Tree Health and Maple Sap Production
Peter Smallidge, NYS Extension Forester, Cornell University
By removing some trees and giving room for others to grow you improve the overall health and
resiliency of your woods and getting more sap for maple syrup.
11:00 AM-NOON – Woodlot Regeneration: Growing Trees and Limiting Deer Damage
Peter Smallidge and Brett Chedzoy, Cornell Cooperative Extension
Too many deer can significantly reduce the ability of your woods to regrow young trees after a
timber harvest. There are some interesting new ways to have both deer and young trees.
1:00 PM-2:00 PM – Insects and Diseases in Your Woods
Kim Adams, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
An update on how to recognize the various insects that are invading the woods of New York and
what can be done to save our trees.
2:00 PM-3:00 PM – Rights and Responsibilities of Landowners
David Colligan, Esq. Attorney, Colligan Law Firm, Buffalo NY
Owning land brings certain legal responsibilities and possible liabilities. Learn what you need to
know about maintaining boundaries, trespass, easements, zoning etc.
3:00 PM-4:00 PM – Silvopasturing: Trees and Animals Together
Brett Chedzoy, Regional Extension Forester, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County
It is possible to grow trees and have a successful animal herd on the same land. From personal
experiences and professional knowledge see how it can be done.
Saturday Feb. 29 Moderator Hugh Canham
10:00 AM-11:00 AM – How to Get Professional Advice for Your Woodlot
Hugh Canham, Emeritus Professor, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
There are many things you should know about your land: legal, biological and physical aspects,
selling timber, etc. Get an overview of various public agencies and private consultants.
11:00 AM-NOON – Maple Syrup Making for Fun and Profit
Steve Childs, Cornell Maple Program
Producing maple syrup from your woodlot van be an exciting hobby or a business. There are several
alternative ways of going about it.
1:00 PM-2:00 PM – Experiences of a Woodlot Owner
David Morabito, Landowner
See the successes and difficulties one landowner has experienced over the years in having
timber sales and other endeavors. Learn what you might be able to do or avoid.
2:00 PM-3:00 PM – Trees of New York: Identification and Growth Habits
Levi O’Brien, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Learn how to identify the common trees found in New York State and how they grow; what
different species need to develop in a forest setting.
3:00 PM-4:00 PM – How Resilient are Your Woods
Kristina Ferrare, Regional Extension Forester, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County
Gregg Sargis, Director of Ecological Management, The Nature Conservancy – New York
How well can your woodlot withstand a hurricane, insect infestation or recover from a timber
harvest. Learn some indicators you can observe in your woods and protecting the land.
–NYFOA
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