Tent Talk - Introduction to Birding Tuesday, August 25, 2026 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Siuslaw Model Forest, 6055 NYS Route 23 , Acra, NY 12405 This presentation covers the fundamentals of birding. Learn how to choose the right birding binoculars, discover how today’s birders use phone apps to home in on an ID, and see how birding has changed since the pandemic. This workshop will expand your birdwatching horizons and help you see more birds.Additional Notes: Binoculars will be available for use, but you're welcome to bring your own if you prefer. We also recommend installing the Merlin and eBird apps on your phone before the class, as limited internet access in the forest may make downloading or setting them up during the session difficult.Register for Tent Talk - Introduction to Birding $20.00 per person ========================================= Growing Ginseng at Wally Farms Saturday, August 29, 2026 10:00 am - 1:00 pm Wally Farms, Club House 25 Wadman Road , Hillsdale, NY 12529 Join CCE Agroforestry Educators and Wally Farm for a hands-on American Ginseng Cultivation Workshop. We will focus on Ginseng site selection, plant identification, planting and harvesting practices, and regulations. Participants will get an overview of a visual site assessment tool. We will meet at the club house and then caravan into the forest. This workshop will be outdoors. Please dress appropriately for walking in the forest. Ginseng seed will be available for purchase.Presented by: Tracey Testo and Ashley Schoenborn CCE Columbia Greene Agroforestry Educators and Ryan Surrano, Wally Farms Forest Steward and OverstoryRegister for Growing Ginseng at Wally Farms $20 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 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 ========================================= Tent Talk/Forest Walk - Forest Farming Fundamentals 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/Forest Walks 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 ========================================= Tent Talk - Vermicomposting: Build Your Own Worm Bin! Tuesday, September 29, 2026 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Siuslaw Model Forest, 6055 NYS Route 23 , Acra, NY 12405 Composting with worms is a wonderful way to go ‘green’. This approach will keep your kitchen scraps out of the landfills and also produce worm castings, which will help your garden grow. Learn about composting worms and how they work. You will have the opportunity to take home a living worm compost system.Tent Talks are held in honor of Eric Rasmussen.Register for Tent Talk - Vermicomposting: Build Your Own Worm Bin! $25.00 per person Xandra Powers, amp422@cornell.edu, 518-828-3346 x106 ========================================= 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 ========================================= Wildlife Tracking with Daniel Hansche Monday, November 9, 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Siuslaw Model Forest, 6055 NYS Route 23 , Acra, NY 12405 Join international wildlife tracking expert Daniel Hansche for a walk afield in search of the tracks & signs of our wild neighbors. Landowners, foresters, and citizen scientists can key in on dozens of wild mammals by searching for the signs they leave behind. Tracks, scats, feeding signs, homes, and many more signs help us to know who lives in a property or woodlot and what they need to thrive in the landscape. Wildlife tracking is experiencing a great resurgence as an essential field skill for those managing, monitoring, hunting, or protecting landscapes in North America and beyond. Participants will return to their place with clear tips and practical skills, leading them to know where and how to look for more signs of their local wildlife. Meet Daniel Hansche: A full-time wildlife tracker with 30 years in the field, Daniel’s work in conservation & education has taken them to wolf dens, rhino encounters, lion trails, wild pig families, and more -every moment a special one. Daniel is a Track & Sign Evaluator with Tracker Certification North America and certified in Eurasia & Africa. Daniel has mentored 100's of trackers and taught 1000's through workshops, trainings, and certifications. Brimming with creativity, Daniel's approach to tracking is wholly unique. Everyone has unique gifts, needs, & styles. One of Daniel’s virtues is in learning, respecting, and serving each student’s needs. Spur Wander was founded to offer high-quality experience & trainings to wildlife trackers worldwide.Partnership with NYFOARegister for Wildlife Tracking with Daniel Hansche $50.00 per person Shane Stevens, ss3666@cornell.edu, 518-622-9820 ex 118 =========================================