Forestry, Facilities and Land Management

Apple Tree Release

206 apple and 30 hawthorne trees were “released” from brush and other pioneer species shading out the canopy adjacent to the Wildlife and McCormick trails. This exposed the trees to more full sunlight, allowing them to re-develop healthy foliage and flowers and to minimize apple tree scabbing. While there are no plans to prune and actively manage these lost orchards, releasing the trees will increase fruit production- providing a critical habitat benefit to wildlife.

Expanding MFFC’s Footprint

MFFC acquired, and is in the process of conserving, 282 acres adjoining the southwestern end of the property. This acquisition extends MFFC’s footprint to include the southwestern flank of Haystack, Little Haystack and Master’s Mountains. Included in the acquisition is a significant amount of road frontage along Kent Hollow Road as well as some relatively small hayfields and a beautiful section of White Creek on the Western side of Kent Hollow Road. This acquisition sets up the possibility of new access and recreational opportunities while protecting a significant amount of mature mixed hardwood forest.

Timber-Frame Shop

MFFC’s new 4-season shop will house future maintenance and construction projects. 100% of the timbers and boards used on the project were harvested at MFFC, and approximately 90% were milled on site. Sourcing these timbers from on-site log jobs helps staff improve habitat and forest health, while eliminating the carbon footprint associated with the transportation of timber and lumber. In addition, the utilization of timber framing techniques maximizes the continued storage of carbon post harvest while creating a finished product that should stand for generations (and could be repurposed in the future if the need arises).

Building Chicken Tractors with SCA

SCA interns and farm and field staff constructed several small, mobile chicken tractors (wooden frames covered in mesh wire) to protect chickens from predators while out on pasture. Pasturing chickens is advantageous to the flock, as it provides them with fresh air and sunshine. It also helps aerate and fertilize soil.

Showcasing the Full Timber Products Value Chain

In 2022, Merck Forest & Farmland Center piloted several instructional projects that demonstrated the complete timber products value chain on property, from standing tree to finished product. Given the carbon footprint of this globalized value chain, MFFC feels it important to showcase what is possible with timber that is harvested on, and never leaves, the site where it will be put into use once processed.

On the Farm

Several truly wonderful moments happened up on MFFC’s 63 acre demonstration farm in 2022. Our team worked with a New York City-based Student Conservation Association cohort who loved learning about farming, animals, dendrology, building, logging and the outdoors. MFFC’s animal community was expanded and diversified - chickens, turkeys and a cow joined MFFC’s sheep, pigs and horses. The team built up healthy soils and grass to feed our grazing animals - this was accomplished without the use of any chemical fertilizers. Managing the maple sugaring effort, working in all seasons and types of weather in the sugarbush, and demonstrating home-scale sugaring operations for visitors were also highlights.

MFFC’s animals worked hard up on the farm. MFFC’s bovine-in-residence, Cow Cow, added approximately 60 pounds of nitrogen, 24 pounds of phosphorus, and 48 pounds of potassium to pastures through her manure during the grazing season. She efficiently grazed pastures (behind the sheep) as MFFC implemented multi-species grazing practices. MFFC’s flock of sheep added 332 pounds of nitrogen, 115 pounds of phosphorus, and 288 pounds of potassium to the pastures. The pasture-raised chickens and turkeys added an astonishing 1080 pounds of nitrogen, 1167 pounds of phosphorus and 1084 pounds of potassium.

Animal Ambassadors launched with a cohort of 12 participants who learned how to care for our animals on the farm through a combination of safety training, animal behavior lessons and hands-on work with our animals. These “Ambassadors” can now volunteer to assist with veterinarian and farrier visits, lambing and animal chores when needed.

Animal Ambassadors

“Our students and staff members are so fortunate to have an on-going partnership with Merck Forest. We are able to utilize the land next to our school where our students can learn and grow as they explore the outdoors. We have enjoyed our winter fun day sliding down the big hill and building sculptures and creating class towers in the snow. The students love going on hikes and observing things in nature. We are now starting to develop our school community garden where our students are the designers, creators, and problem solvers. We are so grateful to have the land and Merck staff to support the learning at Mettawee.“

Brooke DeBonis Principal Mettawee Community School