Farm, Field, and Forest: Living with the Land 2010

Wilderness Guide Ryan LeClerc

Last Saturday's Farm, Field and Forest opened at 8:30 am and the final session ended at 6:15 pm.

A special thank you to all those who participated.... and especially to Bob Curley for his strong back and dedication to making the town hall look fabulous.  We borrowed tables and chairs from AOTV and the display boards from the Chamber of Commerce. 

According to Tom Berube, who was also exhibiting at the White Elephant, there were over 200 participants who came and went throughout the day. Some stayed from the opening until the closing, but most stayed for a few events and then moved on. A dozen licensed professional loggers and foresters received DCR continuing education credit for their participation. Thank you, Joe Smith, for logging them in and keeping track of the credit hours.

Royalston hunter, Chet Hall

Activities started after 9:00 am with Ryan Leclerc's entertaining demonstration on fly fishing and was followed by Chet Hall's talk on hunting for food. Chet held us all spell-bound with his tales and animal skins. He feeds his family through hunting and never buys meat or fish from the store.  (Ryan and his friends held fly tying demonstrations in the foyer area throughout the day. They had a steady stream of observers and participants.)

Bob Curley's Trailblazing was informative and Allison Comeau-White of the Hubbardston-based raw goat’s milk enterprise, Cookies Scentual Sudz, kept us entertained with her goat tales and informed us of her many goat milk-based products.

Brian Nugent explains his composting heat source drum

Kevin Price's exhibit at the White Elephant

The exhibitors and crafters added a great deal to the event. John Burk had a wonderful display of rural and wildlife photographs, and crafters such as Lynn Price displayed jewelry and soaps while her husband's wildlife photography was on display at the White Elephant.  Additional crafters included Sandy Michelin with the Keepin'-it-Local Gift Shoppe and Barbara Myerson of Silver Lace Treasures.

Diane Lincoln of Bruce's Browser displayed racks of books from her Athol book store and later moved on to the White Elephant to perform a set of her latest songs.

The Sustainable Energy portion of the program had a multitude of presenters including Anita Hagspiel from National Grid and Charles Bado from Greenfield-based Coop Power. Brian Nugent's composting drum stole the show. He rolled it out onto the fire-escape so some could get a better view.  However, people LOVED the energy efficient lightbulbs Anitia supplied, and some have signed up or are planning to sign up for Coop Power membership.  Thanks also to Pat, John, Ellen, Alan and the other presenters.



Dr. Jack Dempsey









Dr. Jack Dempsey's presentation on 17th century Native Americans and the colonizer and historical bad boy, Thomas Morton (author of The New English Canaan 1637),  kept us all entertained.

Dr. David's King talk on the decline of songbirds and other species was sobering. He informed us that over 90% of the Massachusetts forest is now mature forest cover which shelters certain wildlife, but most are also wholly or partially dependent on early successional (young) forest habitat. If the thick canopy is not opened soon by environmentally-sound harvesting (logging), we may soon witness the further decline and eventual extinction of a number of species. Since the decline of the wood products industry, this crisis is evident up and down the Northeast woodlands. David showed a slide show of a number of song birds and other species at risk that need shrublands to nest and forage.

Dr. David King - wildlife biologist and ornitologist

Today, less than 5% of the Massachusetts forest is early successional. King explained that small openings allow certain songbirds to perch and sing, but for some reason, they cannot mate and need additional acreage if they are to survive. Basically, clear-cut areas are critically needed, despite public opposition.  (Public attitudes and policy need serious revision. - my comment)

George Jones, President of Seaman Paper

Herm Eck did a commendable job with his presentation on the Quabbin Resevoir Watershed and forest management practices that focus on the quality as well as the quantity of the yeild.

Herm's presentation was followed by a wonderful panel discussion with Joe Smith, Dicken Crane, Fred Heyes, and DCR's Chief Forest Fire Warden David Celino.  Ironically, the wail of sirens as fire trucks drove by could be heard as he spoke. Chief Celino also delivered a sobering message regarding the "fuel" build-up in unmanaged forests.  By not practicing sustainable forestry, our forests are ripe for massive forest fires.  By the way, if you are concerned about excessive carbon released into the atmosphere, than you should be very concerned.  There's nothing quite like a forest fire for carbon release.  So, if you want a healthy forest, less prone to disease and forest fire, and one that supports biodiversity - promote environmentally sensitive forest management!  This segment of the day-long event was filmed by Martha Varnot. Forester, Dr. Alan Page acted as devil's advocate and quizzed the panel on forest management practices, the economics of the industry, and anything else he thought might liven up the discussion.

Filmmaker Steve Alves - Food for Change

Sue Paquet's demonstration on shitake mushrooms

Despite a fire that totaled the Chase Court building a few blocks away, most people who exited to watch the fire returned for George Jones, president of Seaman Paper, and his talk on the economics of running a paper comapany in a global market, Steve Alves' Food for Change, the story of the Food Coop Movement, Susan Paquet's talk on raising shitake mushrooms, and Josiah Simpson's Feed Northampton: Municipal Food Security. 

I am pleased to report that Sue passed out shitake mushroom samples to all in attendance during her talk.  I sauteed the shitake mushrooms Sue gave me in olive oil with onions, fresh garlic and tomato, added chopped clams and broth and milk and enjoyed the best clam chowder I've ever tasted.

Thank You to the Town of Orange Selectboard and town administrator Rick Kwiatkowski for use of the Orange Town Hall. Also, special thanks to AOTV's Carol Courville and Tammy-Lynn Chace at the Chamber.

Many have asked if this will be an annual event. We'll see!
Regards, Genevieve



Josiah Simpson and Abrah Dresdale

 

Lisa Brinkman arrived with her spinning wheel and spun as she watched the presentations.

White Elephant Art Gallery & Lecture Hall Set-up Friday Night, September 24

 Field

Entering the White Elephant on the night of September 24 to set-up for the art show, talks by Elizabeth Peirce and Allen Young and a performance by Diane Lincoln.


Brian Miner



Marie MacDonald eases a panel into the metal slot













Brian Miner, Marie MacDonald, and I helped to set-up the art gallery and lecture areas in the White Elephant for the September 25 show-time. 


MarieMacDonald (left) and Cindy Henley



Julie Pepper (left) and Sue Paquet (right)









Cindy Henley dropped by to volunteer her time.  Cindy's father is the noted local artist, the late Ralph Henley.  Marie and Cindy stand to the left of a painting by Orange artist, Susan Pepper (no relation to Julie.)


Later, additional artists began to filter in to drop off their work and a few stayed to help - Julie Pepper and Susan Paquet.

Thank you, Connie Pike, for allowing us unfettered access to your wonderful building.  Also, a special Thanks to AOTV's Carol Courville for loan of the chairs and Tammy-Lynn Chace at the Chamber for the display board.  The easles were supplied by the Hallmark Institute of Photograhy.  Thank you to the talented folks at the Institute.  The work you do is amazing!!

David Brothers, rural photographer






An artist contemplates her work (Sue P.)



Kettle and the Tea Cup - Genevieve Fraser

Tom Berube, artist - Chair of the Quabbin Advisory Board

Joe Smith - forester & artist

Exiting the White Elephant into the early autumnal evening... Genevieve

Photos by Genevieve Fraser

National Grid featured in “Farm, Field and Forest” on Saturday, September 25

Orange Town Hall interior

National Grid spokesperson Anita C. Hagspiel will discuss industrial, municipal, and residential conservation measures as part of the Sustainable Energy panel during “Farm, Field and Forest: Living with the Land” on Saturday, September 25 at the Orange Town Hall, 6 Prospect Street in Orange, MA. Anita is a principal analyst and program manager in the Business Energy Efficiency Products Group. She currently manages four energy efficiency initiatives including National Grid’s Whole Building Assessment initiative and the Project Expediter initiative.

Town administrator Rick Kwiatkowski

The Sustainable Energy portion of the program will also feature Charles Bado with Coop Power in Greenfield, Dr. Alan Page on the carbon cycle, and members of local energy organizations including Pat Larson, John Jackson and Brian Nugent who will demonstrate home-grown projects from composting for heat to window inserts. 

 The day-long event is both a celebration of sustainable, local economies past and present, and a “Teach-In” with speakers, films, slide shows, panel discussions, and demonstrations which will take place in two near-by locations – the Orange Town Hall which starts at 8:30 – and The White Elephant Yoga Studio, 19 East Main Street, Orange, MA where doors will open at noon. The event will also feature local vendors and product demonstrations. The day’s activities are free and open to the public.

A line-up of activities at the Orange Town Hall include:

9:00 - Fishing and Hunting for Food with wilderness guide and fly fisherman, Ryan LeClerc and hunting spokesperson, Chet Hall.

Trailblazer Bob Curley

10:00 - Trailblazing and hiking/equestrian trails with North Quabbin Woods guide Bob Curley and Allison Comeau-White of the Hubbardston-based raw goat’s milk enterprise, Cookies Scentual Sudz.

11:00 - Sustainable energy and conservation.

1:00 – Dr. Jack Dempsey on 17th century sustainable wildlife, forestry and farming management as practiced by Native Americans.

2:00 - David King, wildlife biologist - Need for early successional forests in terms of wildlife habitat.

3:00 - Herm Eck - PowerPoint on DCR Quabbin forest management.

North Quabbin lumber - Heyes Forest Products

3:30 – Panel discussion on sustainable forest management with Chief Forest Fire Warden David Celino (DCR), Fred Heyes, Joe Smith, and Dicken Crane of MA Forest Land Owners Association.

4:00 - Steve Alves - Talk/video "Food for Change," Story of food coops.

4:30 - Sustainable farming panel discussion with Sandie Campos of High Winds Farm, Dicken Crane of Dalton-based Holiday Farm, Susan Paquet on growing shitake mushrooms and bee-keeper, Martha Varnot.

5:00 – Feed Northampton – municipal food security with Josiah Simpson.

5:30 Panel Discussion - Building sustainable land-based economies with George Jones of Seaman Paper Company, Noreen Heath-Paniagua of Adams Farm, Bob Curley, Alan Page and Brian Nugent.

Marie MacDonald

Starting at noon, the White Elephant, 19 East Main Street, Orange will hold an artist reception for "Farm, Field and Forest” art and photography exhibitors. At 2:00 pm Swift River Valley Historical Society curator, Elizabeth Peirce will speak followed by North Quabbin author Allen Young at 3:00. Diane Lincoln will perform from 4:00 pm until doors close at 5:00 pm.  The White Elephant is owned by Constance Pike who graciously agreed to open the space as part of the event. Marie MacDonald will serve as the master of ceremonies for all White Elephant events.

"Farm, Field and Forest" is organized by Genevieve Fraser, a former exhibits developer for the New England Science Center and environmental technical writer who was awarded an Environmental Commendation for her work on Massachusetts Acid Rain Awareness Weeks. In 1997, she was commissioned by the Commonwealth to write the EcoTheater drama, "Giants in the Wilderness with John Muir" as part of the 100th Anniversary of the Massachusetts Forest and Park System. Fraser will serve as the master of ceremonies for events held at the Orange Town Hall. Bob Curley is in charge of logistics.

For further information, visit http://www.farmfieldforest.org/ or contact Genevieve Fraser at (978) 544-1872.

“Farm, Field and Forest” a “Teach-In” with a Message September 25 in Orange, MA

“Farm, Field and Forest” a “Teach-In” with a Message September 25 in Orange

“Farm, Field and Forest: Living with the Land,” scheduled for September 25 is both a celebration of sustainable, local economies past and present, and a “Teach-In” with speakers, panel discussions, and demonstrations. The day-long event will take place in two near-by locations – the Orange Town Hall, 6 Prospect Street, starting at 9:00 am – and The White Elephant Yoga Studio, 19 East Main Street, Orange, MA where doors will open at noon. The day’s activities are free and open to the public.

The Orange Town Hall will be where people can learn about activities as varied as fishing for food, spinning wool, trailblazing, ecotourism, conservation and renewable energy, but also develop an understating of the science behind sustainable, eco-friendly forest and farm management and how these activities have been practiced from pre-colonial days to the present.

For example, following the keynote address at 1:00 pm on 17th century land-based practices by Native Americans, David King, a local wildlife expert, will discuss the habitat relationships of wildlife in managed forests, with a focus on birds and native pollinators. This will include a discussion of the effects of forestry on these species. King has a Master’s and Ph.D in Wildlife Biology from the University of Massachusetts and has also worked extensively with migrant birds on their wintering grounds in the tropics.

Spinning wool demonstrations

The White Elephant will be the cultural heart of “Farm, Field and Forest” with an art and photography exhibit, entertainment by performers Adam Bergeron and Diane Lincoln, and talks by Quabbin Valley author Elizabeth Peirce, starting at 2:00 pm, and North Quabbin author Allen Young, at 3:00 pm. The White Elephant activities are scheduled between noon and 5:00 pm.

"Farm, Field and Forest: Living with the Land" is organized by Genevieve Fraser, a former exhibits developer for the New England Science Center and environmental technical writer who was awarded an Environmental Commendation for her work on Massachusetts Acid Rain Awareness events. In 1997, she was commissioned by the Commonwealth to write the EcoTheater drama, "Giants in the Wilderness with John Muir" as part of the 100th Anniversary of the Massachusetts Forest and Park System.

The schedule for “Farm, Field and Forest” at the Orange Town Hall includes a 9:00 am workshop on sustenance hunting and fishing; 10:00 am, trailblazing and ecotourism; 11:00 am, sustainable energies and conservation; 1:00 pm, keynote address on Native Americans with Dr. Jack Dempsey; 2:00 pm, wildlife forest habitat with David King; 3:00 pm, Herm Eck - DCR Quabbin forest management; 3:30 pm, panel discussion on the need for sustainable forest management; 4:00 pm, Steve Alves, "Food for Change" story of the food coop movement; 4:30 pm, sustainable farming panel discussion; 5:00 pm, Feed Northampton - municipal food security; 5:30 pm, panel discussion on building sustainable, environmentally friendly, land-based economies, including the continued role of mature industries such as paper and lumber manufacturing.

The MA Department of Conservation and Recreation Forester Licensing Board has determined that a total of 7 continuing forestry education credits can be offered to licensed foresters and timber harvesters who attend. For further information, visit http://www.farmfieldforest.org/ or contact Genevieve Fraser at (978) 544-1872.

PHOTO:  Herm Eck - Quabbin Forester
PHOTO CREDITS - Genevieve Fraser

Quabbin Historians, Elizabeth Peirce and Allen Young Speakers September 25 as part of “Farm, Field and Forest” in Orange, MA

Elizabeth Peirce, museum president and curator of the Swift River Valley Historical Society, will speak at “Farm, Field and Forest: Living with the Land” starting at 2:00 pm on September 25 at the White Elephant, 19 East Main Street, Orange, MA.

Peirce has been involved in preserving the history of the Quabbin Valley for many years and is the author of two books, “Quabbin Valley: People and Places,” and “The Lost Towns of the Quabbin Valley.” Both books present rare photographs of town life as well as stories of how these people lived, worked, and played from 1750 to 1938.

And at 3:00 pm, Athol Daily News columnist, Allen Young will lead a discussion on life in North Quabbin towns. Among other works, Young is the author of “Make Hay While the Sun Shines: Farms, Forests and People of the North Quabbin.”

“Farm, Field and Forest: Living with the Land” will take place in two locations – starting at 9:00 am at the Orange Town Hall - and at noon at the White Elephant. Town Hall events will involve workshops and panel discussion from sustenance hunting and fishing, trailblazing and ecotourism, to sustainable forestry and farming practices, as well as building local, sustainable economies. The White Elephant will feature an art and photography exhibit, group discussions, and speakers on local history.

If you are an artist or photographer interested in exhibiting at the White Elephant for the one-day event, contact Marie MacDonald at (978)-249-6879.  For further information, contact organizer Genevieve Fraser at (978) 544-1872, or visit http://www.farmfieldforest.org/


Allen Young Comment - posted 9/9/2010

Hi, This is Allen Young, the guy with the plaid shirt and the baseball cap. I will speak briefly, and look forward to a relaxed, informal conversation with folks about our unique region, its natural resources, rich industrial history which isn't entirely ended, limited but important agricultural life, ecotourism, community pluses and minuses, etc.