News from the Woods
a monthly digest of resources,
events, and people
in forestry & agroforestry
July 2016
View it
online: http://news.wellspringforestfarm.com/
Greetings!
Welcome to
the July edition from Wellspring Forest
Farm and School. Each month, we share useful information about methods for
improving forest health and increasing productivity and diversity, along with
the happenings of our farm and educational programs.
What a dry
summer it’s been! We in fact are in severe
drought, and our little town is the driest
in all of New York. We’ve had a very poor year in the mushroom yard, and
our sheep have been working
hard for their forage.
We have
gotten a lot of interest from folks in our short courses and we were hearing
that many found the price and timing challenging – so we’ve responded by shortening
our Forestry & Agroforestry course to be three days (August 13 – 15) and
just $300. This is a chance to
learn from some of the most experienced foresters in the Northeast. See the
schedule, posted below!
Our Fungi Cultivation & Foraging Short Course (September
16 – 20) will still be the full five days, as we want to accommodate the travel
of the amazing and talented Tradd Cotter. This
is one of the only appearances he is making in the Northeast, so don’t miss
out!
Tradd was recently featured in a National
Geographic video disussing the wide range of ways fungi can help solve some
of the worlds most pressing challenges.
For the
trees,
Steve &
Elizabeth
-------------------
In the Woods
-------------------
As we teach
and continue to learn from the woods, a common question that arises from
students is, “what about invasive species?”
This is a
complex and complicated issue, one that requires a multitude of approaches
specific to a given place and time in the development of a forest. But, was is
intriguing is that many scientists are starting to see that pesky plants and
critters may achieve a balance over time, even the one many forest owners love
to hate, Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata):
These new
discoveries encourage us to pause and take a longer view of ecological
succession over time. Forest decisions happen over multiple generations, not over
a few years. Its part of a much larger cycle.
A highly
recommended book toward a deeper understanding of these concepts is called A New Wild by Fred Pearce,
which draws upon scientific research along with many real-world examples of how
the dynamics so-called “invasive” species change and find balance over time.
Part of the
conversation has to do with how we construct out views of what is “natural” and
“native” to the forest. With all the changes in the land that have taken place
(many at the hands of humans and through climate change), there is really no “original”
or “primeval” forest type we can seek to exemplify.
Instead,
one might consider the concept of novel ecosystems – which better describes the
composition of so many of the landscapes around the world. Novel ecosystems
according to one paper are, “…a unique
assemblage of biota and environmental conditions that is the direct result of
intentional or unintentional alteration by humans… sufficient to cross an
ecological threshold that facilitates a new ecosystem trajectory and inhibits
its return to a previous trajectory regardless of additional human
intervention.”
Access the full paper here:
www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol19/iss2/art12/ES-2013-6192.pdf
In other
words, “there ain’t no going back!” – much of invasive species talk, and forest
management is considered in terms of the original species, composition, and
structure of what was – instead, we
might do better to look forward to what could
be, as we manage forests for the future.
------------------
On the Farm
------------------
In dealing
with the incredibly dry conditions, we’ve been getting our sheep into the
woods, and this month ask the question on our blog:
“40% of New York is in Drought, What
do the trees have to say?”
READ the
article here:
-------------------------
Upcoming Events
-------------------------
Forestry & Agroforestry Short
Course
August 13 –
15
Mecklenburg,
NY
3-day course - Learn forest ecology and management
techniques for eastern woodlands by exploring old growth forests and visiting
farms and nurseries practicing agroforestry, forest farming, and silvopasture
in the Finger Lakes Region of New York.
Our
instructors have spent decades studying forest & fungi ecology and
developing skills to share with students through woods walks, hands-on
demonstrations, and storytelling:
Steve Gabriel, co-author of Farming the Woods,
will present forestry principles, tree assessment/measurements, and mushroom
cultivation
Mike Demunn, renowned forester and
conservationist for over thirty will lead forest walks share the ecology,
history, and managing for wildlife.
Sean Dembrosky of Edible Acres nursery will teach
us how to grow and maintain the next forest through tree planting, seed saving,
and propagation techniques
Brett Chedzoy, extension forester and beef farmer
will demonstrate methods to integrate regenerate livestock and forest
management
Cost: $300 plus $50 if you wish to camp
onsite, includes lunch each day.
SEE THE COURSE SCHEDULE AND REGISTER: http://events.wellspringforestfarm.com/
###
Fungi Cultivation & Foraging
Short Course
September
16 – 20
Mecklenburg,
NY
With Tradd Cotter and Steve Gabriel
Sign up by Friday,
August 5 for a $50 discount on tuition
Explore
the wondrous world of fungi and learn how to grow and forage mushrooms with
Farming the Woods co-author Steve Gabriel and special guest instructor Tradd
Cotter of Mushroom Mountain and author of Organic Mushrooms Farming &
Mycoremediation.
During this 5-day intensive course participants will identify wild mushrooms and learn tree ID and forest ecology, inoculate logs, straw, and grain, learn low-tech propagation techniques, build a stormwater biofilter, create a styrofoam substitute, and, of course, cook and eat mushrooms.
During this 5-day intensive course participants will identify wild mushrooms and learn tree ID and forest ecology, inoculate logs, straw, and grain, learn low-tech propagation techniques, build a stormwater biofilter, create a styrofoam substitute, and, of course, cook and eat mushrooms.
SEE THE COURSE SCHEDULE AND
REGISTER: http://events.wellspringforestfarm.com/
------------------------
Featured Steward
------------------------
The steward
of the month is Tradd Cotter, a visionary mycologist who spends his time
growing, researching, and teaching others about the wonders of fungi. Tradd is
a passionate person whose love for mushrooms and enthusiasm make learning about
fungi both enjoyable and accessible.
Tradd began
like many mushroom growers, fascinated by the beauty and allure of fungi and
interested mostly in culinary and edible uses. This started a learning journey
over the last several decades where Tradd has perfected his craft in many
aspects of cultivation and use, including developing new
products like mushroom-infused beers, exploring the ways mushrooms can help
clean our environment, and using mushrooms instead of pesticides in treating
pests like fire ants.
He and his wife Olga run Mushroom Mountain, which in the
past few years moved to a new facility and offers a variety of mushroom
products and classes. He grows and sells edible mushrooms, mostly to help fund
the research he really wants to do. He is constantly curious and playing with
fungi, seeking new discoveries and new answers
Read more
about how Tradd got into mushrooms: http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/money/business/2014/05/17/mushroom-business-built-ground/9237683/
Watch Tradd
give a TED Talk about mushrooms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14q2gMd9txE
Tradd will be the featured teacher of our Fungi Cultivation & Foraging Short Course from September 16 - 20.
---------------------------------------
Quote of the Month:
---------------------------------------
"Mushrooms
are miniature pharmaceutical factories, and of the thousands of mushroom
species in nature, our ancestors and modern scientists have identified several
dozen that have a unique combination of talents that improve our health."
Paul Stamets
---------------------------------------
“News from the Woods” is brought to
you by:
Wellspring Forest Farm
& School
leaving forests in our
footsteps
Steve & Elizabeth Gabriel
Mecklenburg, NY
farmers@wellspringforestfarmcom
Let us know what you think!
To subscribe, please visit
news.wellspringforestfarm.com and simply enter your email. Or you can email stevegabrielfarmer@gmail.com
with “SUBSCRIBE” as the subject line, and we will add you to the list!
To unsubscribe, please send an email
with the subject “UNSUBSCRIBE ME” to stevegabrielfarmer@gmail.com
