MILLHEIM, Pa. — With careful decision-making, landowners can maximize profits and improve the health of their forested land.
Join the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture and the Foundation for Sustainable Forests, Sept. 27 at Firth Maple Products in Spartansburg, Crawford County, for an informative field day and tour as part of PASA’s 2012 Farm-Based Education schedule and the 2012 Maple Tour.
This program, “Sustainable Forestry: Using Your Resources Now, While Improving Your Woods for the Future,” will give participants an on-the-ground look at the maple sugar bushes at Firth Maple Products.
Troy Firth, maple syrup producer and forester of more than 40 years, will teach participants how to judge tree quality and potential for harvest, how to use group selections to regenerate a forest, techniques for controlling forest invasive species and the benefits and logistics of logging with horses.
The discussion
Participants will discuss local log and wood markets and maple syrup production as a way to add value to woodlots. Firth started Firth Maple Products in 1972 and the Foundation for Sustainable Forests in 2004. He manages more than 10,000 acres of forest in northwest Pennsylvania and southwest New York using the highest standards of sustainable forestry.
Firth will give participants a tour of two woodlots on the Firth Maple Products property.
Participants will view areas in different stages of development and see how careful tree selection and logging practices can improve the health and timber quality of woodlands.
This event is held in partnership with the Foundation for Sustainable Forests and in conjunction with the 2012 Pa. State Maple Tour, taking place Sept. 28-29 in celebration of Pennsylvania’s maple syrup industry.
The details
Tour goers are invited to attend the field day at the PASA member rate of $20 (non-members regularly $35).
A fresh, locally sourced lunch is included with pre-registration only. Preregister at this special rate by choosing the PASA Field Day option on your Maple Tour registration form or call 814-349-9856 ext. 20.
More information on the 2012 Maple Tour can be found at pamaple.org. Membership in the organization, combined with a field day registration — an $80 value — is being offered for $45. To access this special Field Day and a PASA Membership combo rate, and view the remaining FBE events planned for this year, visit pasafarming.org/FarmBasedEducation.
This combo rate gains attendees access to a quality educational program, a locally sourced lunch, all of the benefits of membership and access to PASA’s growing network.
