Renata Aylward

Hadley Stock, MFFC Farmer Agroforestry is a term I’ve been getting acquainted with lately. According to the Oxford Dictionary, it’s: “agriculture incorporating the cultivation and conservation of trees.”  The USDA defines it as “the intentional integration of trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming systems to create environmental, economic, and social benefits.”  And my definition? Short answer: trees in pastures. Long answer… do you have a minute? Agroforestry is so much more than just...

When the Leaves Turn: The Science Behind Vermont’s Colors Mike Stock Nature’s paintbrush is just about done sweeping across the mountains here at Merck Forest, and the hillsides are alive with fall colors. Standing among the sugar maples, oaks, and birches, it’s impossible not to marvel at the transformation - from deep greens to yellows, oranges, and reds. Here’s how this magic happens. Most of the color is already there in the leaves, hidden beneath the green of chlorophyll, which dominates...

Each week, long before little boots crunch across the gravel to the Caretaker’s Cabin, MFFC staff are already in motion in preparation...