The New York Forest Owners Association is ramping up another free daily Woodlot Seminar series for the 2017 New York Farm Show. It’s all geared to helping landowners boost the value of timber and woodlands. And it happens in the Somerset Room on the lower level of the state fair’s Arts and Home Center.

Topics of “hottest” interest may be federal cost-sharing for woodlot improvements, finding the right forester, plus do’s and don’ts of successful timber sales. Other sessions will include improving bird habitat, heating with wood and forest farming, say Hugh Canham and Ron Pedersen, the program coordinators. Programs start on the hour and allow time for questions and discussion.

They are presented by the New York Forest Owners Association in cooperation with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Cornell University Cooperative Extension, the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and USDA.

Thursday, Feb. 23
11 a.m.: How DEC can help family forest owners, by Matt Swayze, New York Department of Environmental Conservation
1 p.m.: Assessing deer impact, by Kristie Sullivan, Cornell University Department of Natural Resources
2 p.m.: Legacy planning for your property, by Shorna Allred, Cornell University Department of Natural Resources
3 p.m.: Getting federal aid for woodlot improvements, by Michael Fournier, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Friday, Feb 24
10 a.m.: Eliminating unwanted woodlot vegetation, by Peter Smallidge, Cornell University Extension forester
11 a.m.: How to inventory your woodlot trees, by Peter Smallidge
1 p.m.: Insects and diseases that threaten your woods, by Mark Whitmore, Cornell University Department of Natural Resources
2 p.m.: Legal rights and responsibilities of woodlot owners, by Timothy Frateschi, Esq., Frateschi Law Firm, Syracuse
3 p.m.: Getting federal aid for woodlot improvements, by Michael Fournier, USDA NRCS

Saturday, Feb 25
10 a.m.: Heat with wood while growing timber, by Michael Kelleher, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
11 a.m.: More birds with smart timber management, by Steve Gabriel, Cornell University Extension and Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute
1 p.m.: Working with consulting foresters, by Rene Germain, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
2 p.m.: Wilhelm Farm: A case study in agroforestry, by woodlot owners Ann Wilhelm and Bill Bentley
3 p.m.: Woodlots and income taxes, by Hugh Canham, emeritus professor, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

GOT QUESTIONS? Forestry experts are on hand to answer questions each day at the Arts and Home Center’s exhibit.

Get your forestry questions answered
Meet with a forester from New York’s State Department of Environmental Conservation or speak with a Cornell University trained volunteer. Visitors are encouraged to bring their questions and pause at the booth area before or after attending a seminar program. The DEC foresters and trained volunteers are there to help with resource materials, displays and expert advice.

The booth is on the main corridor of the Arts and Home Center, just steps away from the seminars held in the Somerset Room.