a monthly digest of resources, events, and people in forestry & agroforestry
Winter 2018
www.WellspringForestFarm.com
Greetings:
Welcoming to Maple Season! Each year, we renew our commitment to stewarding the forest-based ecosystems and farming practices that we see as so critical to a healthy planet. The sap from the trees (and the forthcoming syrup) reminds us of the gifts of the forest that we call home.
We have lots of exciting things to announce in this issue, including our 2018 list of classes and workshops, the release of our second book in June, and a new free article for download about the wonders of the Black Locust tree.
Among all the class offerings, we are excited to offer our first ONLINE COURSE accessible anywhere in the world. The class is called “Foundations of Forest Stewardship” and runs from April 2 through May 7 with weekly live webinars. Read on for more information.
We also continue to develop our understanding of the cultural narrative and the elements of social justice that are an essential part of this work. To this end, we’ve adopted new policies to support participation in our programs. Please see http:/policy.wellspringforestfarm.com for more.
As the trees start to thaw and the sap begins to flow, we begin another cycle and wish for each of you a healthy and abundant growing season.
For the trees,
Steve & Elizabeth
ON THE FARM
2018 CLASSES AND EVENTS
Learn more and register at http://events.wellspringforestfarm.com/
2018 New York MAPLE WEEKEND, March 17 & 18, 10am
- 4pm at the farm
Join us for tours of the
farm and sugarshack, taste sap and syrup. On Sunday we will do a hands-on
mushroom inoculation workshop. Visit our Facebook event page for updated
vendors and activities: https://www.facebook.com/events/143534439650034/
Foundations of Forest Stewardship (Online Course),
April 2 – May 7
This course explores the
ecology of woodlands and exposes participants to the wide range of
opportunities to engage in both responsible management and productive use
including mushroom cultivation, tapping trees for saps, and raising livestock
amongst the trees.
Gifts From the Forest, May 11 - May 13 at the OMEGA
Center in Rhinebeck, NY
We learn to observe the
forest and find natural patterns to replicate in our own farms, gardens, or
yards. Walk the woods to explore trees, plants, and mushrooms and learn proper
planting techniques, how to inoculate logs that can easily grow shitake
mushrooms at home, and how to make medicinal tinctures. Access to above online course FREE with registration.
Profitable Agroforestry for Homesteads & Farms,
June 4 – 6 Sterling College, VT
This course will offer you
skills to sustainably care for your woodlot and focus on log-grown mushrooms,
tree saps and syrups, and silvopasture (grazing animals in the forest) as three
of the best options for both the homestead and farm scale. Access to above online course FREE with registration.
Growing a Woodland Farm & Homestead, June 22 -
24 in Ithaca, NY
Explore growing edible
mushrooms, perennial vegetables, berries, and nuts in temperate woodlands on
both a homestead and farm scale. This course is facilitated by Steve Gabriel of
Wellspring Forest Farm, along with Sean Dembrosky of Edible Acres Nursery. Access to above online course FREE with
registration.
Fungi Foraging and Cultivation, September 22 – 24 in
Mecklenburg, NY
Explore the wondrous world
of fungi and learn how to grow and forage mushrooms with Farming the Woods
co-author Steve Gabriel and Olga Tzogas Smugtown Mushrooms. Access to above online course FREE with
registration.
Silvopasture in Practice, October 6 – 8 in
Mecklenburg, NY
During this course we will work closely with active
silvopasture farms including Wellspring Forest Farm (sheep) and Angus Glen Farm
(cows) and teach both the planning and practice of silvopasture. We will focus
primarily on systems for ruminants but touch on options and considerations for
pigs and poultry. Access to above online course FREE with registration.
IN THE WOODS
SILVOPASTURE BOOK TO
BE RELEASED IN JUNE, 2017
Our newest book, titled “Silvopasture: A Guide to Managing Pasture Animals, Forage Crops, and Trees in a Temperate Farm Ecosystem” is scheduled for release this coming June.
There is good evidence that Silvopasture systems are among the best in addressing a rapidly changing climate. The recent New York Times Best Seller book DRAWDOWN rated Silvopasture #9 among ALL solutions to climate change.
We have launched a KICKSTARTER campaign to help provide stipends to writers, researchers, and farmers who contributed to the book. The funds also help us continue the work and develop much needed tools and resources for those interested in implementing Silvopasture on landscapes.
SUPPORT the campaign and get great perks like signed copies of the book, access to our workshops, and more!
NEW FREE ARTICLE POSTED AT
OUR WEBSITE
You can download the article at http://media.wellspringforestfarm.com
There are many other free articles there for you to enjoy, so check out the whole collection! One relevant to the coming season is “Tapping Maple for Sap”.
---------------------------------------
Quote of the Month:
---------------------------------------
We must keep these waters for wild rice,
these trees for maple syrup,
our lakes for fish,
and our land and aquifers for all of our relatives - whether
they have fins, roots, wings, or paws.
“News from the Woods” is brought to you by:
Wellspring Forest Farm & School
leaving forests in our footsteps
Steve & Elizabeth Gabriel
Mecklenburg, NY
www.WellspringForestFarm.com
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