On Friday, November 23, the Hastings Stewardship Council and partners will host Farms and Forests: Living on the Edge – the 29th annual Trenton Woodlot Conference in Batawa (north of Trenton). This premier forestry event is an opportunity to learn from forestry and agricultural professionals and have a field day in the woods.
Farms and forests are a great pair; much of the forest cover in our area is provided by farms. This forest cover provides considerable economic and environmental benefits, locally and to the larger community.
Keynote speaker, Dr. Rene Van Acker, will present Farms and Woodlots: keystones to a healthy environment for all. As Professor and Dean of the Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph, he understands farming in Ontario. Rene will highlight the many benefits of the farming sector to our communities. Farmers with the opportunity to add to or enhance woodlands will increase their ‘investment’ in the economy and the environment. Providing woodlands and healthy habitats increases the value of ecosystem services for everyone.
Susan Willis Chan, a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Guelph and an instructor in Sustainable Agriculture, is well known for her ecological project work with farmers. In her presentation, How Wooded Edges Make Farms Better, Susan will demonstrate how rural landowners can improve the ecological health of their property and expand their overall yields at the same time. Participants will go home loaded with practical ideas.
The Afternoon Field Trip is to Goodrich Loomis Conservation Area (just north of Brighton) and features choices of a Plantation Management Tour, an Oak Savanna and Prairie Regeneration Tour, and an Esker Trail Tour – all led by professionals.
Afternoon Indoor Sessions – for those who choose to stay – include Plantation Management and Marketing (by the director of Lavern, Heideman & Sons); Rural Land Stewardship Programs (Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan); the Environmental Farm Plan and Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association); Tree Planting Programs and Managed Forest Tax Incentive Programs (Forests Ontario); and Wetlands in Your Woodlot (Ducks Unlimited).
At the conference, a portable saw mill demonstration and plenty of local exhibitors, including woodworkers, will be on display. The selection of books encompasses forestry, woodworking, nature and more. Come and harvest our bounty of fall offerings.
The Trenton Woodlot Conference is on Friday, November 23. Doors open at 8 am; the program runs from 9 am to 4 pm. The location is the Batawa Community Centre at 81 Plant St., Batawa. Admission is $40, and includes lunch. Preregister please. For online tickets, visit hastingsstewardship.ca. For more information, contact Matt at 613-391-9034 or
