This year’s Fall Field Day is shaping up to be an exciting “double header”! Two properties will be visited: Curtis Grey’s farm and Grant Casbourne’s woodlot. Both of these gentlemen are Directors with the Huronia Chapter and graciously offered their properties as a place to learn about forest plantings and management.
These properties are located near to each other in Oro-Medonte Township, clustered near the Bass Lake Sideroad and Line 5 North. (see attached map; road signs will be installed for the event).
Please plan to arrive around 9:00 at Curtis Grey’s farm, park your vehicle, grab a provided coffee and snack, and mingle with the others. We will officially start the day at 9:30 where we will view and discuss Curtis’s recent tree planting venture, have a demo of his Buzz-saw, and take a look at the damage caused by the ice storm.
Hot lunch will be provided(thanks to Director John Caldwell locating a caterer) by local entrepreneur Sully’s Truck Catering. As usual, Vermeer Canada Inc. will cover the costs of coffee, water and cookies. Bring your own chair! (A portable toilet will be on site.)
After lunch, we move as a group over to Grant Casbourne’s hardwood forest. It is close enough to the Grey farm that a brisk walk will get you translocated, or take a provided shuttle ride. (Note that there are no vehicle parking spaces at the Casbourne property.)
Grant had been conducting a thinning operation of his hardwoods, and had contracted a local sawyer (Cam Stevens) to mill the logs. Then the ice storm hit! Grant will share with us the good, the bad, and the rethinking of his forest management plans. (Bit of a reality check for many of us with similar dreams of a well managed woodlot.)
The Bass Lake Sideroad (BLS) is parallel to the Horseshoe Valley Road and the Old Barrie Road and about midpoint between them (see map). Aim for the intersection of BLS and Line 5 North and you will see the signs inviting you to park in Curtis’ field. A general GPS location is 2815 Line 4 North.
This is a rain-or-shine event! Dress appropriately.
For further info contact either Cutis Grey or Doug Frost (emails listed at end of this newsletter under Directors.)
