Daily Archives: August 12, 2024

Wednesday, August 14, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm – Plant Exploration: The Passion and the Insanity

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Bringing plants into cultivation can serve many purposes, including the benefits of increasing urban landscape biodiversity as well as preserving the genetics of species of conservation concern in safe sites.  Plant exploration has many ethical, legal, natural, and physical challenges to navigate, but ultimately is a satisfying endeavor that seems to be taken on only by a small collaborative group of the most passionate plant nerds. Join Adam Black, Director of Horticulture and Plant Conservation at Bartlett Research Labs and Arboretum, as he chronicles the various exhilarating adventures, unexpected complications, and comical situations he has encountered in both far-flung regions of the world as well as the surprisingly under-explored regions of the US.  The program will take place at the Polly Hill Arboretum Far Barn, 809 State Road in West Tisbury, on August 14 at 5:30 pm. $5 for Polly Hill members, $10 for nonmembers. Registration is required: bit.ly/PHA-PlantExploration-Lecture 

Saturday, August 17, 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm – Spore into Specimen

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Discover the enchanting world of mushrooms on August 17 from 1 – 2:15 at the Clark Art Institute, 225 South Street in Williamstown.

In this workshop, Andrea Puccio, director of the library, and Terri Boccia, collections development librarian, lead a tour of rare books in the Clark library’s collection featuring mushrooms. Then, Jan Rolin from Mycoterra Farm (South Deerfield, Massachusetts) teaches participants about the mushroom lifecycle and how to harvest their own mushrooms using a grow-at-home kit. Learn how mushrooms can help us both environmentally and physically as you discover how to pick, store, and cook the mushrooms you grow.

Mycoterra Farm is a leader in sustainable mushroom cultivation, dedicated to producing high-quality, gourmet mushrooms. Located in the heart of Western Massachusetts, they pride themselves on innovative farming techniques and a commitment to environmental stewardship. In addition to their farm operations, Mycoterra Farm collaborates with Mass Food Delivery to ensure fresh, locally-grown mushrooms and other produce reach communities across the region.Tickets $30 ($28 members). Includes one mushroom growing kit. For accessibility concerns, call 413 458 0524. Register at www.clarkart.edu