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Farming in the Woods: Perennial Crops Under Shade Learn-and-Do

• Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

The Cornell Maple Program is pleased to host a workday in the 1-acre Arnot Agroforestry Research and Demonstration Plot. The plot includes 18 species of woody and herbaceous crops growing under the canopy of a mature maple forest in an active sugarbush. Research at this site helps identify crops that grow well in deep shade with minimal inputs. Crops are selected both for their shade tolerance and potential use in value-added maple products such as maple pawpaw ice cream and maple elderberry sparkling wine. The workday will include an overview of this research and a tour of the plot, followed by hands-on-work weeding, mulching and repairing the 10 ft tall deer fence surrounding the site.

Instructor's bio: Aaron Wightman is an Extension Associate in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment where he serves as the Statewide Maple Specialist and Co-Director of the Cornell Maple Program. Aaron’s applied research and extension activities support the growth of the maple products industry. This work includes the full range of topics related to maple syrup production from sugarbush management to new product development with a focus on sustainability, efficiency, and profitability. Aaron also manages the 7,500 tap research sugarbush and maple laboratory at the Arnot Teaching and Research Forest.

Fee

This event is free, however, donations help us keep future programming costs low for our community. Thank you for your continued support!

Register

https://ccetompkins.wufoo.com/forms/z18zwewn11bpa3a/

Location

611 County Rd 13
Van Etten, NY 14889

Last updated September 4, 2025