From The Forest

On this week's show, we'll be talking to Jason Egan from  Egan Performance Saws . He custom builds parts & accessories in Idaho--with his wife Kara-- to make your saw awesome.

Every 3rd Wednesday we have Wood Artist, Gary Mead on the show to discuss a native tree, or something else forest-related. This month we'll be discussing the American persimmon tree. Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner of Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, Delaware County. He was born & raised on a dairy farm in New Kingston, Town of Middletown, Delawa...

Spring is in full swing now, and it's time to reflect on all that firewood we burned this winter. We'll get Mike Porter's thoughts about all that and more. Mike is a retired teacher from Margaretville Central School. He taught Earth Science, Environmental Science, Science Research in the High School, Driver Education and several elementary and junior high courses over his 33-year career. In 1988 h...

On this week's show, we'll be going through the process of grafting mainly "wild" or volunteer apple trees. CFA's grafting season normally runs from mid-April into May.

Occasionally, we like to "talk shop" with field staff of Catskill Forest Association on what's going on in the forest. This week Zane, Jen, Giovanna, and Erik will dive into what they've been up to and what their plans are for Spring. CFA Field Staff Ryan Trapani, Director of Forest Services Zane Lawyer, Forest Program Manager Giovanna D'Angelo, Education Forester Jen Betz, Forest Process Efficien...

On this week's show, we'll be discussing how Giovanna inoculates mushrooms--mainly shiitake and now oyster--through CFA's FOREST FARMING PROGRAM. Giovanna is also looking into growing other mushrooms for members. Giovanna was hired full-time as CFA’s Education Forester in December 2024. She earned her Associates of Applied Science from The New York State Ranger School of SUNY ESF in May 2024. She...

Every 3rd Wednesday we have Wood Artist, Gary Mead on the show to discuss a native tree, or something else forest-related. This month we'll be discussing Gary's recent trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner of Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, Delaware County. He was born & raised on a dairy farm in New...

On this week's show we'll be discussing Apple Tree Pruning, especially those overgrown ones.

On this week's show, we'll discuss with Joel Riotto & Carl Grocholl the benefits of food plots to deer and other wildlife. About Joel Riotto Joel Riotto resides in New Jersey and the Catskill Mountains of New York State. He is also an author of many archery and bow-hunting publications such as: Bowhunter Magazine Traditional Bowhunting Magazine Archery World Magazine Professional Bowhunting So...

The 2026 maple sugaring season has begun. On this week's show we'll discuss some of those stories and topics that often come up while sitting around the maple boiler. 

Every 3rd Wednesday we have Wood Artist, Gary Mead on the show to discuss a native tree, or something else forest-related. Last month it was pear; This month we'll be the peach tree. Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner of Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, Delaware County. He was born & raised on a dairy farm in New Kingston, Town of Middletown, Delawa...

On this week's show, we'll be discussing the importance of prescribed fire on deer habitat with Oklahoma State University's Mark Turner.  Mark Turner is an Assistant Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management. His research and Extension programming focuses on applied habitat management practices including prescribed fire, forest stand i...

On this week's show, we'll be talking to John Musacchia about his experiences with burning his land in the Catskill Mountains. John used to live down south where burning is far more common. He is an avid hunter & former owner of Muzzy Broadhead.

  On this week's show, we'll be talk about how humans can co-exist better with beavers--and some of the cool things about this busy animal-- with Aaron Hall. Aaron is the Program Director for The Beaver Institute. The Institute's Mission is "to be a catalyst for advancing beaver management and watershed restoration, training mitigation professionals, supporting scientific research, and increasing...

  Every Third Wednesday we have Wood Artist, Gary Mead on the show to discuss a native tree, or something else forest-related. This month we'll be discussing the pear tree. Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner of Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, Delaware County. He was born & raised on a dairy farm in New Kingston, Town of Middletown, Delaware County.

Occasionally, we like to "talk shop" with field staff of Catskill Forest Association on what's going on in the forest. We'll also introduce CFA's new Forest Technician--Erik Heidenfelder.     CFA Field Staff Ryan Trapani, Director of Forest Services Zane Lawyer, Forest Program Manager Giovanna D'Angelo, Education Forester Jen Betz, Forest Process Efficiency Coordinator Erik Heidenfelder, Forest Te...

On this week's From the Forest radio show, we'll be discussing the "sustainability" of managing vegetation, the tools or methods used (i.e. livestock, chemicals, and mechanical), as well as future options like fire. 

Occasionally, we like to "talk shop" with field staff of Catskill Forest Association on what's going on in the forest. This week Zane, Jen, and Giovanna will dive into what they've been up to and what their plans are for Winter. CFA Field Staff Ryan Trapani, Director of Forest Services Zane Lawyer, Forest Program Manager Giovanna D'Angelo, Education Forester Jen Betz, Forest Technician

On this week's show we'll have 4th generation deer hunter--Jen Betz--on to discuss this important forest heritage in the Catskill Mountains. Jen was hired at the Catskill Forest Association (CFA) in August of 2025 and oversees their Legacy Tree Program and helps support their IT & business systems. Prior to this she served a short stint on the CFA Board of Directors, before taking a leave of a...

On this week's show, we'll be talking to Todd Heyn from the New York Farm Bureau about how they advocate for and promote farming & forestry in New York State. The mission of New York Farm Bureau is "Supporting today’s agricultural needs and creating member opportunities for tomorrow through advocacy and education."  Todd lives in East Meredith and has 120 acres that he manages himself. His bac...

Every Third Wednesday we have Wood Artist, Gary Mead on the show to discuss a native tree, or something else forest-related. This month we'll be discussing birch trees. Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner of Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, Delaware County. He was born & raised on a dairy farm in New Kingston, Town of Middletown, Delaware County.

On this week's show we'll be talking to Allyson Levy of Hortus Arboretum about all the plants they grow and educate others about near Stone Ridge, Ulster County. Allyson & Scott Serrano are co-Founders of Hortus Arboretum, which traces back to 2001. They are also co-Authors of their book, "Cold Hardy Fruits & Nuts." Mission "Located in the Mid-Hudson Valley countryside of Stone Ridge, New...

Recently, a reader of CFA's column--From the Forest--in the Shawangunk Journal asked what the forest would look like if humans didn't exist. We'll talk about what that forest might look like, the possible advantages and disadvantages too.

On this week's show, we'll be talking about the State of the Catskill Mountain's hiking trails and outdoor recreation with Peter Manning, Executive Director of the Catskill Mountain Club. The Catskill Mountain Club is a member-directed, not-for-profit organization formed to promote sustainable and safe outdoor recreation within the Catskill Park and on public lands throughout the Catskill Mountain...

On this week's show, we'll be talking to Jerry Michael--a prior member of NYFOA's Board of Directors--about "front-burner" and "back-burner" issues surrounding forest ownership and management. "The mission of the New York Forest Owners Association (NYFOA) is to promote sustainable forestry practices and improved stewardship on privately owned woodlands in New York State. NYFOA fulfills this critic...