The Metro Chapter of the Minnesota Forestry Association (MFA), the Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and a county land owner are hosting a fall forestry field day that is family-friendly and will highlight many aspects of woodland management.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 10 at the Jensen property at 30045 136th St. in Princeton, MN. Admission is free and the Farm Friends Barn Project will be on hand selling their famous roast beef sandwiches throughout the day. For more information, contact SWCD Dist. Mgr. Francine Larson at 763-241-1170 x 131 or flarson@sherburneswcd.org.
Attendees are advised to dress and prepare appropriately for outdoor field tours and walking on uneven/unpaved terrain.
Demonstrations morning and afternoon will include: Draft horse log skidding, a portable sawmill demonstration, plant communities for pollinators, “light on the land” equipment, oak wilt management including vibratory plow use, monitoring wildlife, and a woods walk with the landowners to learn about their stewardship plan and projects.
Children’s activities will include nature crafts, group activities, a visit from Smokey Bear and a fire-equipment display and horse-drawn wagon rides.
Bruce ZumBahlen, MFA Board member, will provide an update on current tax programs and Matt Russell, UMN Extension, will provide an overview of marketing and profitability.
The event will also include exhibits on private lands programs by state and federal agencies, and presentations dealing with woodland pests, current MN forest tax programs, intergenerational land transfer, marketing and profitability (including non-timber products), buckthorn and invasive species management, pollinator habitat, master volunteer programs and a special tree “house of horrors”.
