Learn forest farming at MacDaniels Nut Grove work parties

Shiitake mushroom demo at MacDaniels nut grove
Shiitake mushroom demo at MacDaniels nut grove

Via Steve Gabriel, Extension Aide, Department of Horticulture

Learn about agroforestry and forest farming during fall semester work parties at Cornell’s MacDaniels Nut Grove

These Thursdays, 4:30 to 7 p.m.:

  • September 12
  • September 26
  • October 10
  • October 17
  • November 7

The MacDaniels Nut Grove is a forest farming and agroforestry research and education center located in the Cornell Plantations Upper Cascadilla Natural Area. The 5-acre site, just east of Cornell Orchards, was originally planted in the 1930s by pioneering horticulturist Dr. L.H. MacDaniels (1888-1986). Neglected for decades, researchers and students began renovating the site and establishing new research projects since 2002. The site currently boasts demonstrations of a wide range of crops that can be grown in the forest, including mushrooms, wild leeks, ginseng, ornamental plants, nuts, and fruits like Paw Paw.  Read more at: http://blogs.cornell.edu/mushrooms/nutgrove/

Work Parties will engage participants in a range of infrastructure and site improvements. We will work on a variety of projects including trail work, planting, mulching, mushroom inoculation, and more.

The Nut Grove is maintained by Professor Ken Mudge and extension Aide Steve Gabriel along with student workers and volunteers. In addition to conducting agroforestry research at Cornell, Ken and Steve are co-authoring a book on the subject, see www.FarmingTheWoods.com.

The work parties are free and open to the public. We ask that you come prepared to work in the fall weather. Please wear close-toed shoes and bring water to drink.

Questions? Contact Steve Gabriel: sfg53@cornell.edu

Visit the Nut Grove

The MacDaniels Nut Grove is located adjacent to the Cornell campus, just south of the Cornell School of Veterinary Medicine and Cornell Orchards at the east end of campus.

To reach the grove, turn south at the intersection of Rt. 366 and Caldwell Rd on PALM Rd.. (See Google map below.) Take first right and park at end of road adjacent to Library Annex. (Do not block dumpsters or service area.)

Walk across field to the south of deer fencing surrounding Cornell Orchards to marked entrance into woods at southeast edge of field.


View Macdaniels Nut Grove in a larger map

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