1. Farmland raptor and songbird nest box building this Saturday in Millheim. Come out to the Learning Garden at the Millheim Legion for part of the PVCA Second Saturday Citizen Science Series-
2. Save the Date 5th Annual PVCA RIVERSONGS Festival Sunday April 26th at the Elk Creek Cafe.
3. Coming up- PVCA Spring Meeting Tuesday March 31
(This is rescheduled from the crazy snow we had last week. )
Agroforestry: Opportunities for the Forest Farm with Dr. Eric Burkhart
(for an overview of agroforestry see our latest newsletter p. 4 or read more about Dr. Burkhart's work in the news with ginseng)
Here are all the details!
Tuesday March 31st St. Luke's Cultural Center (Gyekis's church)
117 Penn St. Millheim
7 pm
Agroforestry: Opportunities for the Forest Farm Presentation and Panel Discussion. No matter what your acreage, this presentation is for you. We will be joined by agroforestry specialists and local collaborators to explore opportunities for forests products as an extension of the farm.
Eric Burkhart, local non-timber forest product specialist will give us an overview of the leading products in Pennsylvania as well as lead us into a discussion for local opportunities , demand and supply. Adam Seitz from Pennsylvania Certified Organic will share with us the newly developed “Forest Grown” Verification at PCO, and how we can add value as we garden with the woods. Tracey Coulter and Glenn Vernon will join the discussion of continued opportunities, as we open the floor to you, at PVCA's Spring Meeting. Everybody is welcome.
Panel Bios
Dr. Eric Burkhart holds degrees in Economic Botany (B.A, Idaho State University), Horticulture (M.S., Penn State University), and Forest Resources (Ph.D., Penn State University). He is plant science program director for Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center and teaches courses for the Penn State Ecosystem Science and Management Department. Working with partners such as the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Eric conducts research on important non-timber forest products (NTFPs) including American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), and ramps (Allium tricoccum) and offers practical guidance in forest farming of NTFPs through related workshops and publications. His ginseng research program in Pennsylvania is focused on developing sustainable wild crop management and production systems through the use of agroforestry and plant husbandry.
Adam Seitz joined the staff of Pennsylvania Certified Organic in 2011 as a Certification Specialist. At PCO, he works with organic crop farmers, forest farmers, mushroom producers, dairies, and food processors throughout the Northeast. Most recently, he’s worked with several groups to help develop a “Forest Grown Verification Program”, which was launched by PCO in 2014. This program intends to provide a new marketing opportunity for forest farmers and “wild stewards” that produce or collect forest crops in a sustainable manner. Prior to his work at PCO, he studied agricultural and food science at Penn State. While a student, he worked for an international food processor, a tomato breeder, and the PA Department of Ag (monitored Emerald Ash Borer population in Centre Co.).
Tracey Coulter currently serves as Agroforestry Coordinator in the Rural & Community Forestry Section of the DCNR Bureau of Forestry where she works to strengthen working landscapes by building the connections among sustainable forestry, sustainable agriculture, and healthy watersheds.
Glenn Vernon is the immediate past President of the Board of the 15 county Lumber Heritage Region in North central Pennsylvania. While serving he encouraged the board to broaden its mission beyond tourism to include value added forestry products.
As PVCA continues to think creatively about the watershed restoration work that we do with participating community members. In the last two years, PVCA has planted over 12,000 trees in the Upper Penns Creek Watershed. Join us at our Spring Meeting and help us consider how we can best integrate agroforestry practices into future restoration projects. Everybody is welcome.
The meeting will feature PVCA program updates and our famous potluck dessert, with coffee and other beverages.
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Special congratulations to Charlie Boyer official new Chair of the PVCA Membership Committee!
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A little less than two weeks remain to enter the PVCA Photo Contest. The winners of the photo contest will be featured on our website, in the newsletter, and at the Green Drake Art Gallery. Help us to create the new face of our website...
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