ARC Agro Sampler

Research, Education, and Outreach Projects at the Agroforestry Resource Center and the Siuslaw Model Forest : 

Research, Education, and Outreach Projects at the Agroforestry Resource Center and the Siuslaw Model Forest Working Lands: An Agroforestry Sampler April 12, 2008 Marilyn Wyman Cornell Cooperative Extension of Greene County

We live in and depend on forests. : 

We live in and depend on forests. Forests represent 62% of the NYS landscape. 85% is in private ownership

The Challenges : 

The Challenges Intense development pressure and threats to farm and forest land. Increasing property taxes, loss of local sense of place. Climate change and invasive species.

Forests are Changing : 

Forests are Changing Average forest parcel is 14 acres in the Catskills (down from 44 acres in 1978). Impacts of exploitation harvests. Dramatic increase in absentee forest landowners. Landowners not familiar with or interested in traditional management approaches. Interested in “Views”, “Wildlife Habitat”, “Privacy”.

What is the Mission of the Agroforestry Resource Center? : 

What is the Mission of the Agroforestry Resource Center? Sustaining the ecological, aesthetic and economic values of forested land.

What is the Siuslaw Model Forest? : 

What is the Siuslaw Model Forest? Establish through the Watershed Agricultural Council's Forestry Program, the Siuslaw Model Forest (SMF) is a New York City Watershed Model Forest demonstrating management practices that balance working forests and ecosystem functions, especially water quality. The SMF’s diverse 142 acres provides outreach and educational opportunities to effectively demonstrate the complex issues confronting forest management. The Model Forest is delineated into a series of experimental treatments that demonstrate various forest management activities.

Summary of Agroforestry related education and outreach programs : 

Summary of Agroforestry related education and outreach programs Over 60 programs specifically related to Agroforestry topics offered since 2005 with over 1000 participants. Highlights: 2007 Agroforestry Practitioner Training Hosted eight Ginseng Festivals and in 2007 the Festival drew over 2000 participants.

Current ARC Research : 

Current ARC Research Maple Syrup Production Forest Farming i.e. ginseng and other botanical medicinal plants (goldenseal, black cohosh) woodland mushrooms, forest fruit and nuts, honey trees, biomass for fuel, specialty wood products

Maple Syrup Production : 

Maple Syrup Production

Super Sweet Trees : 

Super Sweet Trees

Candidate trees are cloned. : 

Candidate trees are cloned.

Some of these trees are planted at the ARC. : 

Some of these trees are planted at the ARC.

Ginseng Research : 

Ginseng Research

Demonstration sites: A place to see Ginseng! : 

Demonstration sites: A place to see Ginseng! Fifty, eight year old ginseng roots were transplanted in the fall of 2004, by 2007 some of them have reproduced! Seedling beds have been planted. A major rhizome transplant experiment instituted.

Plants were transplanted from a research site in the region. : 

Plants were transplanted from a research site in the region.

Each plant has been marked. : 

Each plant has been marked.

Special project : 

Special project In March of 2006, 50 stratified ginseng seeds were planted in 15 separate plots in a sugar maple forest. In 20 years of trails Bob had never successfully grown ginseng from seed when planted in winter.

This time it worked! (in a few plots) : 

This time it worked! (in a few plots)

Woodland Mushrooms : 

Woodland Mushrooms

The Siuslaw Model Forest has excellent wild mushrooms sites. : 

The Siuslaw Model Forest has excellent wild mushrooms sites.

It is often visited by photographers. : 

It is often visited by photographers.

Some types of woodland mushrooms may be cultivated. : 

Some types of woodland mushrooms may be cultivated. There are two main ways of growing mushrooms on wood. Wooden plugs are inserted into logs Sawdust or grain spawn are used to inoculate logs or stumps

We are trying 3 different species using wooden dowels to inoculate. : 

We are trying 3 different species using wooden dowels to inoculate.

Holes are drilled and dowels are hammered in. : 

Holes are drilled and dowels are hammered in.

Holes are waxed, labeled and stacked. : 

Holes are waxed, labeled and stacked.

First fruiting occurred in late summer of 2007. : 

First fruiting occurred in late summer of 2007.

Whole log inoculations : 

Whole log inoculations

Grooves or slits are stuffed with sawdust spawn. : 

Grooves or slits are stuffed with sawdust spawn.

Mushrooms grow from spawn into the wood. : 

Mushrooms grow from spawn into the wood.

Oyster mushrooms fruited from stacked aspen logs. : 

Oyster mushrooms fruited from stacked aspen logs.

Woodland berries and nuts : 

Woodland berries and nuts

Deer Browse Study : 

Deer Browse Study

Specialty Products : 

Specialty Products

Here are some current Agroforestry enthusiasts. : 

Here are some current Agroforestry enthusiasts.

Here they are 100 years ago. : 

Here they are 100 years ago.

Thanks! to our …Key Partners : 

Thanks! to our …Key Partners Watershed Agricultural Council’s Forestry Program Cornell University Department of Natural Resources New York Forest Owners Association