FEBRUARY 2021
GET IN THE PURE CATSKILLS GUIDE!
It's our favorite time of the year! Join Pure Catskills today for just $35 to be listed in the 2021-2022 Guide to Pure Catskills Products. Our membership deadline is Monday, March 22nd!
Membership includes:
  • Printed Guide listing with contact information and a 50 word description
  • A detailed online listing on Pure Catskills searchable web directory, and a dedicated webpage to promote your business and products
  • Use of Pure Catskills logo and other marketing materials to enhance your marketing efforts
  • Promotional support for your products through events, media mentions, advertising, social media, and other targeted campaigns including the holiday gift guide and more
  • Vending space under Pure Catskills sponsored tents at many local events pending state and health guidelines
  • And much, much more!

For membership information visit us online at www.purecatskills.com.
WINTER LUNCHTIME GRAZING SERIES
Noon – 1:00 p.m. via Zoom
No Cost to Attend
March 4: Pasture Soil Management
Management strategies that lead to vibrant pasture soil ecosystems
Mar 18: Plant Biology – Grazing Context
Understanding the biology of the different kinds of plants found in our pastures
April 1: Ruminant Biology in Grazing 
The ruminant digestive system and how your pasture system interacts with it
April 15: Management of Plant & Ruminants
Key concepts that result in both plant and animal health and productivity
April 29: What the Final System Looks Like
Putting it together – What a vibrant pasture ecosystem may look like on your farm

Handouts and worksheets that will help guide our conversations will be emailed ahead of each session. Each session starts with a short presentation and is followed by facilitated round table discussion.

Register online, email Rich Toebe at rrt43@cornell.edu or call 607 538-1738
DAIRY GRANT OPPORTUNITY
Applications and now being accepted for the Multi-Business Dairy Agritourism Grant Program through the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center. The center — one of three such U.S. Department of Agriculture centers in the country — is managed by Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, and it serves all
New England states, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Dairy producers, processors or producer associations headquartered in the Northeast may apply for grants to create and market agritourism activities aimed at raising awareness and consumption of regionally produced dairy products, program officials said.

A total of $150,000 is available and the deadline for applications is March 16. For more information click here.
(WOW) is a group of women landowners and natural resource professionals organized by WAC, in partnership with the Columbia Land Conservancy and Cornell Cooperative Extension. WOW was started to foster learning experiences and discussions about forest property in a way that specifically invites women to participate in understanding and managing their woods.

WOW was created a couple of years ago with the idea of running in-person workshops where members could learn about forestry from professionals and peer-to-peer interactions. While we’re hopeful to return to those in the future, currently we use virtual platforms to stay connected. Through Zoom, we host seasonal Virtual Happy Hours, and we’re happy to say those have been a great success! Similar to a woods forum, we use this casual time together to hear what folks have been up to in their woods and to let their interests and curiosity lead the conversation. Popular topics we’ve touched on include invasive species, forest foraging, and forestry tool recommendations. In addition to this, WOW also has a Facebook page where we can hear from one another and share upcoming events in between happy hours.

 If you or someone you know would be interested in joining WOW you can join our Facebook group or email wow@nycwatershed.org for more information.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
Westchester's Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County invites you to a free webinar:
 
Integrated Pest Management
presented by Dr. Elizabeth Lamb
Cornell University, NYS Integrated Pest Management
 
March 2, 2021
5:00 - 6:30 pm via Zoom
 
NYS Integrated Pest Management serves all of NYS to develop sustainable ways to manage pests of all types - including insects, diseases, weeds, birds and mammals - in almost every situation you can think of. This presentation will cover some of the ways in which NYS IPM is working with traditional farms and orchards, dairy and equine operations, and homes and business operations.  
  
The seminar is free, but registration is required. Register here
For more information: westchestchesteragboard@gmail.com

For more information on any of our programs, visit nycwatershed.org