Forest Farming: Plants & Fungi Workshop Weekend

Join us for a weekend-long forest farming workshop! Over the course of two days, we'll visit Wild Hudson Valley's production areas to learn about different forest farming techniques, including outdoor mushroom cultivation, foraging and wild stewardship, and both woods-cultivated and wild-simulated plant production. For our mushroom-focused Sunday event, we will be joined by John Michelotti of Catskill Fungi.

Open to both novice and experienced land stewards and forest farmers, together we'll explore the rich history and cultural significance of our plant and fungal allies and examine the contemporary production methods used to produce non-timber forest products (NTFPs). We'll also discuss forest farming as a land stewardship strategy to enhance biodiversity and ecological resilience while providing an income opportunity. Those coming for the full weekend are also invited to join us for a potluck BBQ, campfire, and s'mores on Saturday evening. And for those needing to stay overnight, admission to both days of the workshop is included in an Eco Camp Reservation! Weekend Schedule Below:

Forest Farming Plants: From Foraging to Cultivation

Saturday May 31, 3:00 -5:30 PM*

*Note that the event time was changed because of morning rain, it was originally scheduled from 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

-On Saturday, we'll delve into the world of forest botanicals. We'll introduce participants to a variety of forest understory species with both cultural and economic significance, such as American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), ramps/wild leeks (Allium tricoccum), and many others. We'll discuss forest farming techniques ranging from foraging and careful stewardship of wild plant populations to intensively-managed raised bed cultivation. We'll visit Wild Hudson Valley's woods-grown beds and wild-simulated ginseng garden, and we'll explore the woods to identify wild edible and medicinal plant species that owners Anna and Justin steward and forage from as part of their diversified forest farming operation. We'll consider benefits and challenges of each of these production systems and share our lessons learned and favorites resources on forest farming. Participants will come away with an understanding of how to assess their own property for forest farming potential and how to put their ideas into practice.

Forest Farming Fungi: Mushroom Walk & Forest Farm Tour

Sunday June 1, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

-On Sunday, we'll focus on on all things mushrooms! For this workshop, we will be joined by John Michelotti, founder of Catskill Fungi, which empowers people with fungi through outdoor educational classes, cultivation courses, mushroom art, and mushroom health extracts. Beginning with an introduction to mushroom anatomy, life cycle, and identification, we'll then tour Wild Hudson Valley's shiitake mushroom laying yard to learn the process outdoor mushroom cultivation, from log selection and inoculation to harvesting and marketing strategies. On a leisurely woodland walk, we'll identify wild mushrooms and discuss foraging for edible and medicinal fungi, including the legal requirements for selling wild mushrooms, what habitats and seasons you can find different mushroom species, as well as stewardship, sustainability, and general safety. At the end of the workshop, we'll gather for medicinal mushroom tea and a mushroom snack, and John Michelotti will talk about value-added mushroom products and share his experience creating his line of medicinal mushroom extracts.

Participants are encouraged to attend for both days of the workshop, though individual tickets are available for each day. And remember,  you can save by reserving a campsite, as admission to both days of the workshop is also included as part of a  Wild Hudson Valley Eco Camp Reservation for the weekend.