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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: November 3, 2003
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM, RURAL LAND COALITION, INVITE SMALL FOREST OWNERS TO A FREE WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 8 ON CULTIVATING MUSHROOMS FOR PROFIT

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management in partnership with the Rural Lands Coalition will host a free workshop Saturday, November 8 to show forest landowners how to cultivate mushrooms on their property to mitigate their property expenses. This alternative forest-based business workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the headquarters of DEM's George Washington Management Area on Route 44 in West Glocester. The workshop will include a lecture followed by a short outdoor field session so attendants should dress accordingly.

Participants will learn about basics of mushroom production, various types of mushrooms, and the time and labor required to grow them on their property. John Boyle, a partner in Home and Forest Mushrooms based in Durham, New York, will be the speaker. To reserve a place at the workshop, call DEM at 222-3434, ext. 4403, during the week. Space is limited to 65 attendees.

The workshop is part of an ongoing campaign to educate landowners about the potential of alternative forest-based business. Although small-forest and wood-related businesses contribute over $120 million a year to the state's economy, management for traditional wood-based forest products is difficult in Rhode Island because of small parcel sizes. More than 80 percent of privately owned forestland is in parcels of less than 10 acres, too small to be eligible for tax benefits in the state's Farm, Forest and Open Space law, or for protection via title or conservation easement purchase under the forest legacy program. Those parcels face the same development pressures as agriculture and are of vital significance to the economy, as well as for the protection of green space and wildlife habitats.

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