Managing Your Farm’s Woodlot

Thursday, January 30, 2025, 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Many woodlot owners have questions and concerns about the whole idea of logging. Woodlots are often underutilized or overlooked in farm management plans, however with the right practices, these areas can provide not only valuable timber and firewood but also significant benefits to the overall health of the farm ecosystem.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Cayuga County will host a Winter Shop Meeting on Thursday, January 30, 2025 to discuss strategies and practices for “Managing Your Farm’s Woodlot”, followed by a portable sawmill demonstration.The meeting will be held from 12:30-3:00pm at the Sterling Nature Center Pavilion, 15730 Jensvold Road in Sterling, New York. There is no charge to attend, admission is free, and there is no need to register.

The meeting will be led by Ryan Staychock, Environmental/Natural Resources Educator for Cayuga, Schuyler & Seneca Cooperative Extensions. Ryan will provide tips for enjoying your forest, earning income, and sustaining health of your woodlot. He also can help you figure out what your trees are worth, calculate board feet, who to use, contracts, managing before and after harvest, and more. Information about the Cornell Master Forester Program and the New York State DEC Stewardship Forester Program will be shared.

The program will conclude with a Portable Sawmill Demonstration in the Sterling Nature Center main parking lot. Attendees are asked to stay a safe distance away from the sawmill and, because the sawmill can be loud, should bring hearing protection. Dress for the weather and bring your camp chairs.

CCE Cayuga will provide coffee and donuts. No registration is needed.

Have questions or need directions? Contact Ron Kuck, Agriculture Educator at CCE Cayuga, at 315-704-8810 or rak76@cornell.edu.