Pond Management: A General Overview - Tent Talk Tuesday, June 23, 2026 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Agroforestry Resource Center (Business Office), 6055 Route 23 , Acra, New York 12405 Are you interested in ponds? Join us at the Siuslaw Model Forest for an introduction to pond management and to learn the importance of ponds within the landscape. We’ll start in the classroom to discuss pond features, pond watersheds, basic ecology, and identify management goals. Afterward, we’ll walk to our ponds, and together we’ll apply what we have learned to perform an annual inspection while learning how ponds are influenced by their surrounding environment. Learn the basics to keep your pond resilient!Participants will receive a follow-up email with digital resources.Register for Pond Management: A General Overview - Tent Talk $25.00 per person Lindsey Strehlau-Howay, las549@cornell.edu, (518) 622-9820 ext 112 ========================================= Outdoor Mushroom Farming Series Wednesday, June 24, 2026 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Agroforestry Resource Center (Business Office), 6055 Route 23 , Acra, New York 12405 This workshop is a 3-part series. You may attend parts, but attend all three to develop the skill to successfully farm mushrooms on your land.This is event is offered free, with support from Edwards Mother Earth Foundation, to under resourced and/or beginning farmers. If you are under resourced or are a beginner farmer please reach out to us at columbiagreene@cornell.edu.Part 1 - Outdoor Mushroom Farming Series- Part 1: Log Inoculation, The BasicsWednesday, April 29 - 5:00 pm -7:30 pmAre you interested in exploring how to grow your own mushrooms to start a small-scale mushroom operation? Participants in this workshop will learn various techniques for growing different species of mushrooms using a variety of materials, with a focus on shiitakes. You will participate in a hands-on experience inoculating wood with shiitake spawn. Each participant will bring home their own inoculated log for at-home production.Part 2 - Outdoor Mushroom Farming Series Part 2: Laying Yard Management & Harvesting Wednesday, May 27 - 5:00 pm -7:30 pmJoin us at the shiitake laying yard to learn about managing shiitakes, as well as other mushrooms, as a crop. At this hands-on workshop, participants will experience soaking, fruiting, and harvesting shiitakes, and will learn what is required to build your own mushroom yard. In addition, we will examine where we harvested small pole-size trees used for inoculating the shiitake mushrooms and understand the rationale for harvesting those particular trees as part of forest improvement. Participants can be sure that they will leave this class with mushrooms to try and will gain an understanding of how to profit from this newly recognized crop.Part 3 - Outdoor Mushroom Farming Series Part 3: Enterprise planning & marketingWednesday, June 24 – 5:00 pm – 7:00 pmReady to set up your mushroom skills and turn that knowledge into a business? Join us at the Agroforestry Resource Center to learn what it takes. During this class, participants will receive shiitake business planning resources with detailed guidance on how to apply that knowledge to your farm. Many different revenue streams associated with mushroom cultivation will be discussed, and how to market your mushrooms.Register for Outdoor Mushroom Farming SeriesThis event is offered free, with support from the Edwards Mother Earth Foundation, to under-resourced and/or beginning farmers. If you are under-resourced or are a beginner farmer, please reach out to us at columbiagreene@cornell.edu. $25.00 per person per class or $60.00 for full 3-part series Hannah Case, hc2329@cornell.edu, 518-622-9820 ext 102 ========================================= July 4th - Office Closed Friday, July 3, 2026 12:00 pm - 12:00 pm ========================================= Pond Management: Invasive Aquatic Species Saturday, July 11, 2026 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Siuslaw Model Forest, 6055 NYS Route 23 , Acra, NY 12405 What's lurking at the edge of your pond? Is it native? Invasive? Join the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership's (CRISP) Aquatic Invasive Species Manager, Sarah Coney, to learn more about what species are beneficial in your riparian buffer and what to keep an eye out for.We’ll begin indoors to highlight various aquatic invasive species and their impacts, while also discussing the benefits of native species. Afterwards, we’ll head outdoors to assess our ponds, look for invasive species, and identify aquatic vegetation that is present.Register for Pond Management: Invasive Aquatic Species $25.00 Per Person Shane Stevens, ss3666@cornell.edu, 518-622-9820 ex 118 ========================================= Minimizing Deer Impacts on Forests Thursday, July 16, 2026 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Lennox Model Forest, 2420 Arbor Hill Road , Delhi, NY 13753 Join us for a woodland walk at the Lennox Model Forest to explore options for minimizing deer impacts on forests! With deer over-browsing preferred native tree seedlings, they are widely seen as the top reason for a decrease in species diversity and a decline in forest regeneration, contributing to the invasion of non-native invasive species. We’ll discuss management options and the impacts of deer browsing.In addition, you will learn how to monitor deer browsing at your site using the Assessing Vegetation for Impacts from Deer (AVID) protocol. Connect with us in the woods to learn about the importance of forest regeneration and how to keep your forests healthy, productive, and resilient!Participants will receive a follow-up of digital resources.Register for Minimizing Deer Impacts on Forests $25.00 Per Person Shane Stevens, ss3666@cornell.edu, 518-622-9820 ex 118 ========================================= Fall Vegetable Gardening: Extending the Harvest - Tent Talk Saturday, July 18, 2026 9:30 am - 10:30 am Siuslaw Model Forest, 6055 NYS Route 23 , Acra, NY 12405 Think the gardening season ends on Labor Day? Think again! Many vegetables thrive in the cooler temperatures of fall, making it possible to harvest fresh produce well into October and even November. Join us to learn which crops are best suited for fall growing, when to plant them, and simple techniques for extending your harvest as the weather cools. Participants will have the opportunity to sow seeds for fall crops and will take home seeds and/or seedlings to start their own fall garden.Tent Talks are held in honor of Eric Rasmussen.Register for Fall Vegetable Gardening: Extending the Harvest - Tent Talk $20.00 Per Person Xandra Powers, amp422@cornell.edu, 518-828-3346 x106 ========================================= Forest Walk – An Introduction to Forest Stewardship & Conservation Saturday, July 18, 2026 9:00 am - 11:00 am Join Master Forest Owner (MFO) Jimmy Bulich for a walk in an 85-acre forest on High Falls Road in Catskill and learn about his stewardship and conservation efforts. He will discuss his 25+ years of stewarding this property and his goal of creating an uneven-aged forest with abundant biodiversity. He will discuss his experiences with the NYS 480a forest program, how a landowner can become an MFO through Cornell Cooperative Extension, how he has placed conservation easements with the Greene Land Trust to protect forests in perpetuity, and the challenges in growing the next generation of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers caused by the overabundance of white-tailed deer.This event is a great add-on for those who are planning to read How to Love a Forest with the GLT Conservation Book Club in the spring!This walk is on forested trails on private property along High Falls Rd in Catskill. The address of the parking area will be shared with attendees after registration.Register for Forest Walk – An Introduction to Forest Stewardship & Conservation $10.00 Shane Stevens, ss3666@cornell.edu, 518-622-9820 ex 118 ========================================= Rabbit Care 101 - Tent Talk Thursday, July 30, 2026 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Siuslaw Model Forest, 6055 NYS Route 23 , Acra, NY 12405 Are you considering your first pet rabbit, or already have a pet rabbit and have questions about caring for it? Learn how to keep your pet rabbit healthy and properly cared for. During this talk, we will go into detail on breeds, housing, handling, feeding, overall health, and, briefly, how to show a rabbit. This talk will be led by Ashley Schoenborn, CCE Columbia Greene’s Agricultural Educator. Rabbits will be present for a hands-on demonstration.Tent Talks are held in honor of Eric Rasmussen.Register for Rabbit Care 101 - Tent Talk $20.00 Per Person Ashley Schoenborn, als543@cornell.edu, 518-622-9820 x 113 ========================================= Summer Cut Flower Field Day Wednesday, August 5, 2026 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm Meadowbrook Farm, 513 Route 67 , Leeds, NY 12451 Join Cornell Cooperative Extension Columbia-Greene and Ulster County for an evening of cut flowers at Meadowbrook Farm. The evening will include a farm tour, pest walk, and a panel discussion: From Field to Market: Strategies for Success, and dinner with time for networking. Visit with our Master Gardener Volunteers at their Ask a Master Gardener Table and take a turn spinning the wheel of flowers. If you’re a beginning grower or seasoned grower, this program is for you!Meadowbrook Farm is a 120-acre cut flower and agritourism farm with a focus on Sunflowers. Some others: Zinnias, Dahlias, Snapdragons, Eucalyptus, and a few more. Located in Leeds, NY, alongside the Catskill Creek. Meadowbrook Farm hosts many festivals as well as weddings and showers.Register for Summer Cut Flower Field Day $20.00 Per Person Ashley Schoenborn, als543@cornell.edu, 518-622-9820 x 113 ========================================= Wildlife Enhancement – Build It, and They Will Come - Tent Talk Thursday, August 6, 2026 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Siuslaw Model Forest, 6055 NYS Route 23 , Acra, NY 12405 Join us at the Siuslaw Model Forest for a woodland walk to explore options for improving wildlife habitat in your woods. Wildlife enhancements can be anything that improves habitat. Having various types of habitats available in your forest can increase biodiversity and overall forest health.We’ll walk the trails of Siuslaw to view wildlife enhancements that you can implement in your woods. We’ll discuss our surroundings and the benefits associated with improving habitat for pollinators, birds, mammals, and more! Participants will receive a follow-up of digital resources.Tent Talks are held in honor of Eric Rasmussen.Register for Wildlife Enhancement – Build It, and They Will Come - Tent Talk $15.00 Per Person Shane Stevens, ss3666@cornell.edu, 518-622-9820 ex 118 ========================================= Wild, Edible Plants - Tent Talk Thursday, August 13, 2026 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Siuslaw Model Forest, 6055 NYS Route 23 , Acra, NY 12405 Come explore the grounds at the Siuslaw Model Forest to learn about the wonder of woodlands and fields in a new way. Foraging is a great way to get to know your land as a resource for local foods. It can be a wonderful family activity and comes with a greater understanding of our interactions with the natural world. Participants will learn what is available on a seasonal basis as well as how to collect food without disturbing or endangering a plant population. Recommendations will be given on how to safely collect food with the help of local resources. Following the walk, we will learn how to incorporate these wild foods into a meal. Locally foraged goods will be made available for samples and snacking during a Q & A to wrap up this evening.Tent Talks are held in honor of Eric Rasmussen.Register for Wild, Edible Plants - Tent Talk $25.00 Per Person Hannah Case, hc2329@cornell.edu, 518-622-9820 ext 102 ========================================= Raising Meat Rabbits - Tent Talk Tuesday, August 18, 2026 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Siuslaw Model Forest, 6055 NYS Route 23 , Acra, NY 12405 Are you interested in raising meat rabbits, or have you started your own colony and are looking to expand your knowledge? Join us for an evening where we will go into detail on how to care for and raise meat rabbits. We will cover these topics: different methods for raising rabbits, identifying commercial breeds, housing, feeding, breeding, weaning, health and disease, meat regulations, and processing. Rabbits will be present for the talk.Tent Talks are held in honor of Eric Rasmussen.Register for Raising Meat Rabbits - Tent Talk Free Ashley Schoenborn, als543@cornell.edu, 518-622-9820 x 113 ========================================= Fall 2026 Anger Management Series Tuesday, September 15, 2026 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Extension Education Center, 479 Route 66 , Hudson, New York 12534 The course is held every Tuesday for 8 consecutive weeks in-person from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm.Classes are scheduled to be held at our Hudson Educational Center, 479 NY-66, Hudson, NY 12534Cost: $70.00 for the entire 8-week seriesDates: Topics: Tuesday, September 15 - Intro to Anger Management/Group guidelines Tuesday, September 22 - Anger Survey and Progress Reports Tuesday, September 29 - Anger’s Many Faces/The Power of Anger Tuesday, October 6 - Defusing Anger by Managing Stress Tuesday, October 13 - Handling Anger Effectively/Assertiveness Tuesday, October 20 - Managing Conflict/Turn Your Anger into Forgiveness Tuesday, October 27 - Changing your Thinking/Cognitive Distortions Tuesday, November 3 - How Emotional Intelligence Impacts Anger/CertificatesAfter completion of 8 classes, a Certificate of Achievement is awarded.Register for Fall 2026 Anger Management Series $70.00 Per Person Megan Gardner, mg2287@cornell.edu, (518) 622-9820 ext. 114 ========================================= Land Access for Farmers - Extension Education Center 479 Route 66 Hudson, NY 12534 Thursday, September 17, 2026 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Extension Education Center, 479 Route 66 , Hudson, New York 12534 Are you a farmer in the process of leasing and/or purchasing land? Gain insight into what is available to help navigate this process. Guest speakers and educators from different organizations will share what services and resources are available. Some topics to be covered: the basics of buying and leasing land, evaluating land, rates, community land trusts, ag districts, and legal considerations.Register for Land Access for Farmers $25.00 Per Person Ashley Schoenborn, als543@cornell.edu, 518-622-9820 x 113 ========================================= Audubon Bird Friendly Maple Program: Where Birds & Maple Meet Saturday, September 19, 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Agroforestry Resource Center (Business Office), 6055 Route 23 , Acra, New York 12405 Are you a maple syrup producer or consumer? Do you enjoy seeing forest birds and other wildlife? Join us with Audubon to learn about forest bird population trends, the components of high-quality bird habitat, and silvicultural strategies that enhance habitat in the sugarbush. Also, learn how to participate in Audubon’s Bird-Friendly Maple program as a maple producer or consumer.We will begin in the classroom, then move outdoors with Audubon Endorsed Forester, Cory Creagan from Headwater Forestry Inc, to visit maple stands at the Siuslaw Model Forest. We will assess habitat conditions and discuss various sugarbush management strategies that support forest birds alongside sap production.Audubon's Bird-Friendly Maple program supports maple producers who incorporate wildlife habitat management into their goals for their sugarbush. Participating producers receive materials and support to market their products as coming from a sugarbush managed for birds. Many eastern forest birds have experienced significant population declines in recent decades. This program is part of Audubon's work to stabilize those populations by providing high-quality breeding habitat for a broad suite of forest bird species.Register for Audubon Bird Friendly Maple Program: Where Birds & Maple Meet $30.00 Per Person Shane Stevens, ss3666@cornell.edu, 518-622-9820 ex 118 ========================================= Forest Farming Fundamentals - Tent Talk Tuesday, September 22, 2026 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Siuslaw Model Forest, 6055 NYS Route 23 , Acra, NY 12405 If you are a farmer, technical service provider, or forest landowner and are ready to learn more about the agroforestry practice of forest farming, this training is for you. Forest farming is the intentional integration of farming crops under the canopy of the forest and can build both diversity and resilience into farming systems.The increasing interest in agroforestry among land managers has produced a growing need for technical assistance. Join us and learn about the principles, design considerations, benefits, and challenges of farming in the forest.This workshop is offered outdoors in our organization’s 142-acre demonstration forest, the Siuslaw Model Forest, and will include walking through the property on well-developed forest roads and trails. Participants should come prepared to spend the day outside, in the woods. Please contact us if you require transportation support in the model forest.This workshop is made available for free with support from Interlace Commons and the Edwards Mother Earth Foundation.Tent Talks are held in honor of Eric Rasmussen.Register for Forest Farming Fundamentals - Tent Talk Free Hannah Case, hc2329@cornell.edu, 518-622-9820 ext 102 ========================================= Farm & Forest Fundraiser for CCE Friday, October 2, 2026 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm A fundraiser supporting Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties Friends, volunteers, supporters, and community members are invited to join us on Friday, October 2 for this year's Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties annual fall fundraiser, Farm & Forest.LocationMeadowbrook Farm 513 Route 67 Leeds, NY 12451Buy your ticket for Farm & ForestTicket: $125 + service fee of $10.23 per ticket. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Meadowbrook Farm in Leeds, NY, this special evening will celebrate the farms, forests, and people that make our region unique. Enjoy an evening featuring:Food & Drink Curated food featuring local flavors by Church Street CateringFarm-to-table inspired hors d'oeuvresBeveragesSweet treats and seasonal offerings selected by Taste NYActivities Silent auction featuring local products, experiences, and servicesOpportunities to meet and connect with CCE program staffExhibits highlighting agriculture, forestry, 4-H, nutrition, and environmental programsTime to explore Meadowbrook Farm and enjoy the fall sceneryAnd More! Whether you've attended a workshop, participated in 4-H, received support from one of our programs, or simply believe in strengthening our local communities, we hope you'll join us in supporting the educational work of CCE. Proceeds from Farm & Forest help sustain and expand the programs that serve Columbia County and Greene County. Come celebrate, connect, and invest in the future of our communities. Together, we can continue building stronger farms, healthier forests, and a more vibrant region for generations to come. Lisa Gallina, lag292@cornell.edu, (518) 622-9820 x 220 ========================================= Indigenous Peoples' Day Monday, October 12, 2026 12:00 pm - 12:00 pm =========================================