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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.
Hudson River Ramble at the Siuslaw Model Forest
Date: Sunday, September 21 Registration deadline: September 18
Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Cost: Free
The Siuslaw Model Forest is proud to be participating in the 9th 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 through out the Hudson River Valley. The Siuslaw Model Forest Ramble includes a visit to an historic one room school house and a walk exploring various habitats including ponds meadows and various forest types in the breath taking backdrop of the northern Catskill Mountains.
Little Theater in the Woods, Children Theater Workshop
Date: Thursdays, Sept. 25, Oct. 2,9,16 Registration deadline: September 22
Time: 6:00-8:00 pm Cost: $100 per child
Performance: Saturday, October 18, 11:30 am
Presented by: Soup 2 Nuts Theater Company
Soup to Nuts Theater Company will be offering an exciting theater workshop this fall for youth ages 6-16. Youth will learn about birds from this region and their migration habits in order to bring to life the story of "Trees of Birds" by Susan Meddaugh. This delightful story is about a flock of birds who refuse to fly south without a recovering member of their group, who has been adopted by a young boy. As participants learn about their feathered friends, they will write script, design sets, create costumes and make decisions about the play. Their work will culminate with a performance at the Agroforestry Resource Center's Little Theater in the Woods outdoor stage.
Buying and Using Firewood
Date: Friday, September 26 Registration Deadline: September 24
Time: 6:30-8:00 pm Cost: $10 per person
Presenter: Bob Beyfuss, Extension Educator
With the continued rising costs of home heating fuels, more homeowners are looking at utilizing regional firewood sources as a viable alternative. This workshop will discuss the pros and cons of heating your home with firewood including comparisons of alternative heating costs associated with wood burning, burning characteristics of most species of wood, and characteristics of wood stoves. Keep in mind the new DEC regulations regarding the transportation of firewood. Under the regulation, any transport of untreated firewood beyond 50 miles from it's (New York State) source is prohibited. Importation of any untreated firewood from outside New York State is also prohibited. The purpose of this emergency rule is to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of invasive insects and diseases of trees by preventing untreated firewood from entering New York State and restricting the movement, sale and possession, within the State, of untreated firewood that originates in New York State. This emergency regulation is in effect for 90 days and began September 4, 2008.
The Fall Equinox: A Time of Evaluation
Date: Saturday, September 27 Registration deadline: September 25
Time: 1:00-4:00 pm Cost: $45 per family or $10 per person
Presented by: Margo Mullien, Herbalist
The Hoop of Life, The Sacred Circle, has been used by Native Americans and other indigenous cultures throughout history as a place of prayer, meditation and teaching. Join herbalist Margo Mullein as she walks participants through the steps of creating a Native American Medicine Wheel with the intent to celebrate fall and the lessons available during this time of harvest and home. Participants are asked to bring a wrapped, personal object to "let go of," as this workshop includes a traditional give away ritual.
Lark in the Park at the ARC
Date: Saturday, October 4 Registration deadline: October 2
Time: 1:00-3:00 pm Cost: Free
Instructor: Marilyn Wyman, Extension Educator
The "Lark in the Park" is a wonderful way for people to discover the wealth of history, culture, natural resources, and recreational opportunities offered by the Catskill Park and the entire Catskill Mountain Region. This year, the Agroforestry Resource Center will again be participating. Come join us for a walk through the142 acre Siuslaw Model Forest. This forest had been under the watchful care of Eric Rasmussen for over 40 year until Eric donated it to the Agroforestry Resource Center (ARC). You will see examples of biofuel materials such as grasses and willows, view our American chestnut tree nursery, and have a natural resource educator show you Best Management Practices for forest landowners or environmental advocates who want to know how to prevent erosion when creating trails and roads through out forested lands. Finally, you will have the chance to sit and relax in an Adirondack lean-to and see one of the most spectacular views of the northern Catskill Mountains.
Managing Your Forest for Firewood
Date: Saturday, October 4 Registration Deadline: October 2
Time: 10:00 am–12:00 pm Cost: $10 per person
Presenter: Bob Beyfuss, Extension Educator and Mike Greason, Consulting Forester
Do you have forested lands you would like to utilize for firewood? This workshop will help you evaluate your woodlot with the intention of harvesting trees for firewood use. Similar to the September 26 workshop (see above) there will also be a discussion of the pros and cons of heating your home with firewood including comparisons of alternative heating costs, costs associated with wood burning, burning characteristics of most species of wood, and characteristics of wood stoves. It will also cover basic chain saw safety for personal use.
Forest Ecology and Silviculture*
Date: Friday, October 17 Registration deadline: October 15
Time: 8:30 am-4:30 pm Cost: $15 per person
Presenter: Watershed Agricultural Council Foresters
Forest Ecology & Silviculture covers the history, ecology, and management of New York’s forest and the impacts that loggers, landowners, and foresters have on the landscape. This class is a part of the Trained Logger Certification (TLC) program which was developed to provide loggers important training involving the knowledge and hands-on skills that allow loggers to be safe, efficient and responsive to good forestry practices as they harvest trees. Forest Ecology and Silviculture is also being offered to a broader audience, beyond loggers, who has interest in this information. A 60-page book, Forest Ecology and Silviculture, developed by Cornell Cooperative Extension and other state forestry agencies and organizations, is included.
Understanding Ticks and Lyme Disease
Date: Friday, October 17 Registration deadline: October 15
Time: 7:00-8:00 pm Cost: Free
Presenter: Rick Burstell, Program Educator
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by the bite of an infected deer tick. Over 5000 new Lyme disease cases are reported in New York State each year. The numbers seem to be even higher this year. Greene County has the 4th highest Lyme disease incidence rate in the state. This class will teach you how to avoid contracting Lyme disease by understanding the biology and ecology of the deer tick. The adult ticks are active right now. Come find out what you can do to prevent acquiring this serious illness. We will also discuss Lyme disease symptoms and the importance of early treatment.
Growing Your Food: Creating a Home Garden
Date: Thursday, October 30 Registration deadline: October 28
Time: 7:00-8:30 pm Cost: Free
Presenter: Extension Educators
Learning to grow some of your own food has become more popular as the cost of food continues to increase. There is nothing more gratifying or healthy than harvesting, preparing and eating something you have grown, adding to your health and the health of the planet. The purpose of this meeting is to organize a group of participants who are interested in learning how to grow some of their own food. This is not as complicated as you might think. If you have access to a deck, a roof, a patch of ground no larger than a flower bed or more space, you can learn to feed yourself. Any interested person with time or patience can learn as much about soil and gardening as the most experienced gardener. Come and learn about this program and help us design it to fit your needs.
Youth Education Series: Wonderwise - Women in Science, Pollen Detective
Dates: Tuesdays, November 4, 11, and 18 Registration deadline: October 24th
Times: 10:00 am-12:00 pm Cost: $50/family or $30/child for 3 part series
Meet women scientists who boldly explore new worlds in this three part series. The Wonderwise: Women in Science Learning Series is a curriculum developed by the University of Nebraska that introduces real scientists to young people. This curriculum was designed for teaching 8 to 12 year old children the basics of scientific investigations. We will watch a DVD on Margaret Bolick who is a botanist that specializes in pollen. She searches for pollen in the remains of fossil animals to learn more about events in the prehistoric past. She also researches present-day pollen and the role it plays in human allergies. We will learn about pollen, solve a medical mystery and search for tracks of “fossilized pollen.”
Fall Workshops for Homeowners: Composting & Putting Your Garden to Bed
Date: Saturday, November 8 Registration deadline: November 6
Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m. Cost: $10 per person
Presented by: Rick Burstell, Program Educator
Composting is the decomposition of plant remains and other once-living materials to make an earthy, dark, crumbly substance that is excellent for adding to houseplants or enriching garden soil. It is the way to recycle your  yard and kitchen wastes and is a critical step in reducing the volume of garbage needlessly sent to landfills for disposal. Fall is the time of year when both nitrogen from excess produce and mowing and carbon from fallen leaves are readily available. This workshop will provide you with a basic understanding of composting and various compost designs.
What do you do with your garden 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.
Birch Bark Wreath Workshop
Date: Thursday, November 20 Registration deadline: November 14
Time: 6:00-8:00 pm Cost: $15 per person (includes materials)
Presented by: Liz LoGiudice, Extension Educator and Liz Rasmussen, Wreath Maker
Learn to make a lovely and unusual birch bark wreath that will bring a natural flair to your holiday décor. This workshop will provide participants with instruction and materials to create a unique wreath to take home and enjoy.
Make a Holiday Ornament
Date: Thursday, December 4 Registration deadline: December 1
Time: 6:30-8:00 pm Cost: $15 per person (includes materials)
Presented by: Liz LoGiudice, Extension Educator and Liz Rasmussen, Crafter
Make a lovely ornament from natural objects to decorate your home for the holidays. This workshop will provide participants with instruction and materials to create one ornament – and the know-how to create many more for holiday gifts or decorating.
Special Event
Harvest and Holiday Forest Farmers Market
 Saturday, December 6
On Saturday, December 6, from 10:00 am-1:00 pm the Agroforestry Resource Center will be hosting a Harvest and Holiday Forest Farmers Market. This free event highlights wonderful edible agroforestry products such as honey, ginseng and maple products as well as other “farmers market” favorites from local farms to help you make this a delicious and memorable holiday season. There will also be gifts from regional craftsmen to round out your holiday list and lovely items to decorate your home using native materials. So plan on stopping by and support your local farms and craftsmen. This event is supported in part with funding from the Watershed Agricultural Council.
Holiday Plant Gifts: Selection and Care
Date: Monday, December 8 Registration deadline: December 5
Time: 6:00-7:00 pm Cost: $10 per person
Presented by: Bob Beyfuss, Extension Educator
Plants make wonderful holiday gifts especially for people who are tough to shop for. This class will "show and tell" a wide assortment of readily available holiday gift plants with instructions on how to select, care for and perhaps add as a permanent addition to your houseplant collection.
Winter Evergreen Tree Identification: Tips on Selecting Your Christmas Tree
Date: Saturday, December 13 Registration deadline: December 11
Time: 10:00 am-12:00 noon Cost: $10 per person
Presented by: Bob Beyfuss, Extension Educator
This class will teach participants how to easily identify at least ten common evergreen species of trees, including those species most often selected as Christmas trees. Props of each of the species will be provided as well as a simple "key" used for identification. The positive and negative traits of evergreens trees commonly used as Christmas trees will be discussed in detail and tips for keeping the holiday tree fresh and fragrant will also be covered. A 60-page tree identification book is included in the fee.
*Trained Logger Certification Courses
The Trained Logger Certification (TLC) program was developed to provide loggers a comprehensive training program that covers three areas of importance to loggers including Game of Logging that teaches appropriate chainsaw use and safe tree felling techniques, Forest Ecology and Silviculture practices and First Aid/CPR skills. For a listing of 2008 courses contact Marilyn Wyman at 518-622-9820 ext 36 or refer to www.nyloggertraining.org.
If you have special needs related to program participation, please contact our offfice.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Greene County provides equal program and employment opportunities.
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