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Logs to Lumber – Wise Use of a Renewable Resources
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by Peter Smallidge A common feature of managed woods, and an aspect that has made them popular among farmers, woodlot owners and maple producers is the potential to harvest logs and produce boards. Managing your woods for lumber involves consideration of the logs for lumber, but also cultivating the woods to ensure future productivity and…
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Learn about Farm Scale Commercials Mushroom Production
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Farm Scale Mushroom Cultivation (BF 150) Growing Shiitake and Other Mushrooms for Fun and Profit an online course through the Northeast Beginning Farmer Project Tues. February 23 – March 29, 2016, with webinars held each Tuesday evening from 6:30-8:00pm. http://www.nebeginningfarmers.org/online-courses/all-courses/woodland-mushroom-cultivation-bf-150/ Mushrooms are an emerging niche crop with many benefits, including improving farmer stewardship of forested…
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Learn all about Maple Sugaring (online course)
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Introduction to Maple Syrup Production (BF 151) Tues. Jan 12 – Feb. 16, 2016. Webinars will be on Tues. evenings from 6:30-8pm EST http://www.nebeginningfarmers.org/online-courses/all-courses/introduction-to-maple-syrup-production-bf-151/ This online course explores the possibilities of maple sugaring on your land – be it for supplemental income or for your livelihood. The material presented will assume little past knowledge of…
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Strategies to Control American Beech and Other Forest Species
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American beech and many other native and non-native woody plants can dominate a woodland, exclude or limit the regeneration of desired plant species, and limit the biodiversity of the site. In high abundance, these species can complicate access for maple producers. Often these interfering species gain dominance because of selective deer browsing of desired plant…
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Understanding the Pesticide Label
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Pesticides refer to a chemical, regulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency, that will prevent, destroy, or otherwise damage pests such as insects, plants, fungi, rodents, etc. Used correctly and judiciously, pesticides are an effective and safe tool. Specific types of pesticides include, for example, herbicides that control plants, insecticides that control insects, or fungicides…
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Getting Started Right for Successful Ginseng Production
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Commercial ginseng production has a long history and affiliation with Cornell University. I have a collection of Cornell publications dating from as early as 1904 on topics as specific as “Phytopthora Root Rot of Ginseng” and as general as “Diseases of Ginseng”. At one time, circa 1910, there were as many as 5,000 ginseng farms…
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Planting a Small Silvopasture to Benefit Farm and Livestock
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If you have an overgrown woodlot, a strong back, a chainsaw, a small tractor with a mower, a pile of grass and clover seed, and a rake, then you can start establishing a small silvopasture on your land. To help you think about getting started, I will describe my own experience with planting a small-scale…
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Planting Nut Trees on Your Farm
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by Jerry Henkin If you want to plant nut trees, It’s important to research your land and the type of nut trees you want. Check the soil for the correct pH for the trees you want to plant. There should be good drainage, sunshine, and air flow. Will you want tall trees, which need to…
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Financial Implications of Selling Timber
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The Right vs. the Wrong Way by Peter Smallidge Timber in farm woodlots and rural woodlands may offer economic opportunities for the landowner. In addition to best management practices that protect the health and productivity of your woods, there are also financial considerations for the owner’s attention. Selling timber includes special tax considerations, but at…
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Weighing the Pros and Cons of Producing Birch Syrup
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By Michael Farrell Although many people have heard that you can tap birch trees, very few have actually tried to produce birch syrup, and folks who have boiled down some birch sap have often had negative experiences. The sugar content of birch sap is much lower than maple sap (usually between .5-1 brix), so it…
Forestry & Agroforestry
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