Tree Distribution & Learning Events in the Catskills and Essex Co, NY - Spring 2026

The time has arrived! After months of planning and coordination, we’re excited to gather and share over 5,000 trees through our Farming with Trees Project with the 18 farms who’ve been involved thus far. If interested, the report from the listening sessions is linked above, as well as a recent podcast interview Steve did overviewing the project. 

Other farms not in the original cohort are welcome to join! We will make sure the farms who’ve been engaged deeper receive the trees they need first, but anticipate plenty of abundance to share with others as well. 

Join us for one or more days at:

Saturday May 2 at Star Route Farm (852 County Hwy 40, Charlotteville, NY 12036)

Sunday May 3 at Gael Roots Community Farm (734 Cattail Rd, Livingston Manor, NY 12758)with special co-hosts Breadtree.

Monday May 4th @ Barred Owl Brook Farm (735 Lake Shore Rd, Essex, NY 12936), with a morning check in as a small group, opening to a larger workshop offered with American Farmland Trust, other partners 

What to Expect: part distribution, part working session, and part community-building.

1. Pick up trees and connect with others doing this work

Available Tree List: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cCJRcXWiOX9WGejx8uEufeBLKK17nDNV428lLmNeupg/edit?usp=sharing

2. Informal demos and conversations on site observation, planting and protection of trees

3. Organizing follow up Work brigades to support planting efforts on other farms

Please register here:https://forms.gle/Bg9RuqEYkKDvWnG16

Support Beyond the Event

Some of you we’ve connected with already for round two, but not everyone. This is a chance to plug back in.

  • Planting Day conversations with a simple tree care handout to take 

  • Follow-up calls + collective office hours in May/June to keep momentum going

(5/2) Day 1 at Star Route Farm (852 County Hwy 40, Charlotteville, NY 12036)

9 - 9:30 Arrival and Welcome: Introduction to the Day (Mycena and Star Route)

9:30-10:30 How to Plant a Tree: And Protect Them Too!  (Mycena)

10:30 - 12 Work Brigade - tree layout and planting (Everyone)

12 - 1:30 Potluck Lunch!

1:30 - 3 Work Brigade - tree planting (Everyone)

3-4 Tree Distribution and Conversation (Mycena)

                         Aftercare: Storing and Heeling in Trees

Organizing for planting brigades at other farms

(5/3) Day 2 at Gael Roots Community Farm (734 Cattail Rd, Livingston Manor, NY 12758)

9 - 9:30 Arrival and Welcome: Introduction to the Day (Mycena

9:30 - 11 Listening to the Land: Site Observation / Planting Patterns 

(Breadtree and Mycena)-- rotating stations or Full Group: Tree Crop Orchard, Hedge and Edge, Fodder Blocks, Forest Garden

11 - 12 How to Plant a Tree: And Protect Them Too! (Breadtree)

12 - 1 Potluck Lunch!

1-2:30 Work Brigade Stations: Layout and Planting (Everyone)

2:30-4 Tree Distribution and Conversation (Mycena and Breadtree)

                         Aftercare: Storing and Heeling in Trees

    Organizing for planting brigades at other farms

Day 3 @ Barred Owl Brook Farm (735 Lake Shore Rd, Essex, NY 12936)

10:00 - 12:00 Check with project farms!

1. Informal conversations about when you can plant trees, site prep, and support needs

2. Heeling in / rooting trees for fall into beds at Barred Owl brook for Fall planting

3. Pick up trees ( if you are ready to plant!)

Available Tree List: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cCJRcXWiOX9WGejx8uEufeBLKK17nDNV428lLmNeupg/edit?usp=sharing

Please register here:https://forms.gle/Bg9RuqEYkKDvWnG16

12 - 1 BYO LUNCH

Stay for the American Farmland Trust event: 

Establishing Tree Fodder Plantings for Your Livestock

Learn about using fast‑growing willow and poplar to provide supplemental feed for livestock. We’ll show you how to plant them, care for them, and use them to support your animals during the summer forage slump. No experience needed!

Both events will cover the same material—join us at whichever location works best for you! Come hear from +  grow with our amazing partners - Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County  @Harvest New York Wellspring Forest Farm & School,  NOFA-NY,  Interlace Commons

May 4 – Barred Owl Brook Farm (Essex Co.)

1–4 P.M. ET

Register for free: https://forms.office.com/r/HFMzxCqzNC

What to Bring

  • Bags, bins, or containers for transporting trees

  • Any extra packing materials (we’ll have sawdust, labels, and markers on hand)

  • Questions, ideas, and a willingness to collaborate