EXCITING NORTHEAST AGROFORESTRY TRAINING OPPORTUNITY
What is agroforestry?
Agroforestry describes a suite of practices that combine trees with annual or perennial crops and/or livestock in ways that provide economic and ecological benefits to farmers and other landowners across the landscape. These benefits may include improvements in topsoil, livestock, crops, and wildlife; increased productivity of agricultural and horticultural crops; reduced need for energy and chemical inputs; improved water and air quality; enhanced biodiversity and landscape diversity; and diversified local economies.
Training available – seats are limited:
With assistance from NE SARE, a partnership of national and regional agroforesters is hosting three-day advanced agroforestry training for technical service providers and agricultural educators. This training will provide a brief review of agroforestry, and opportunities for participants to explore agroforestry applications in depth with regional experts. In order to optimize networking opportunities, registration will be limited to 30 participants.
Agroforestry in Practice: a 3-day training for Service Providers
October 17, 18, and 19, 2017
Schuyler County Cooperative Extension, Montour Falls, NY
Research has established agroforestry as one of the most promising approaches to land use that both provides an economic return and supports environmental health.
This three-day course is designed for service providers including extension educators, farm non-profit organizations, public and private foresters, and consultants who routinely work with landowners and farmers to implement best practices.
The training will include both classroom time as well as many outings to established agroforestry farms to see these systems in practice first hand, including:
Angus Glen Farm, a 300 acre cattle grazing operation utilizing forestry management and innovative silvopasture systems, co-owned by extension forester and farmer Brett Chedzoy.
Wellspring Forest Farm, which produces log-grown shiitake mushrooms, maple syrup, and grazes sheep and ducks in silvopasture, co-owned by Steve Gabriel, agroforestry extension specialist with Cornell Small Farms Program.
Arnot Forest & Maple Sugaring Research Site, a 4,200 acre forest engaged in active foresty management and research specific to advancing maple sugaring production.
Early bird registration for this three-day training is $85, which includes lunch each day, transportation to field trips, and handouts. Registration will be $100 after August 15th.
See the agenda, and learn registration and lodging details at;
The workshop is co-sponsored by the Schuyler County Cooperative Extension, Cornell Small Farms Program, with support from NE SARE, Penn State, and the USDA National Agroforestry Center.
Agroforestry Extension Specialist
Editor, Small Farm Quarterly
Cornell Small Farms Program