KNOW THY LAND

October 27th, 2026

CONTRIBUTED BY JACKIE BUDDIE

If you’ve ever wandered the Catskills backwoods just awing at old growth oaks and wondering what stories the soil would tell, forest farmers Anna Plattner and Justin Wexler would be more than happy to teach you to read the earth’s signs yourself. 

“One of the most fundamental things you can do to help the natural world is to become ecoliterate,” Anna says. “So, learning to identify native plants, where they grow, what species threaten their habitat, and the cultural importance they’ve had in the past.” 

It’s a practice that she and Justin, a local historian and ethnoecologist, both live and labor by. Over a decade ago, the couple began shaping what would become Wild Hudson Valley, a 95-acre botanical sanctuary where they spend busy days harvesting native edibles, seeding wild-simulated ginseng, inoculating shiitake mushroom logs, and alley-cropping fruit and nut trees. Today, their family farm is home to a true Catskills cornucopia: rows of persimmon trees interspersed with maize, squash, sunflowers, and beans. Pawpaws, American plums, red currants, and elderberries. Plus a medley of hazelnuts, chestnuts, black walnuts, and different hickory nut species. 

Spend some time digging deeper with Anna and Justin, though, and you’ll feed much more than your belly. In the spirit of responsible stewardship, the couple has made it their mission to share their combined expertise on forest farming techniques and indigenous land use practices with the greater community. From hosting seasonal Eco Camping under the stars, to leading nature walks, giving native history talks, and curating a monthly Wild Harvest Box, each of their educational offerings is intended to honor the people and plants who came before us. 

Naturally, doing so means working in close partnership with Native communities. For Anna and Justin, that includes connecting with and hosting members of federally recognized Lenape nations for homeland visits, and offering guided tours to sites of ancestral significance. 

And you’re welcome to join in. Walk the old paths. Look at leaves. Converse with crows. Get down on the ground and listen. With practice, you, too, may begin to understand what the land is saying. 

Note: Justin is currently working on a book with Purple Mountain Press that’s scheduled to publish next year. It’ll be the first comprehensive history of Lenape people in the Hudson Valley and Catskills.

FROM THE MOUNTAINS

PETS: Panda the pup, Rhea Beez the kitten, Dot the rooster.

SKY: Look east after sunset and you’ll spot the moon — still bright after the Hunter’s Moon — passing directly through the Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters.

SIGHTINGS: Blackpoll Warbler Setophaga striata

The votes are in, and Single Ready to Mingle absolutely clobbered it with a 98.91% approval rating.

Looks like I need to figure out how to host some events for single folks looking to get off the apps.

I’ll need a minute to sort out the details — but I promise, I’m on it.

THANKS FOR COMING

The first Autumn Howl was a great time. The weather couldn’t have been better nor the beer and cider colder.

I wanted to drop a big thank you to all the folks who made it possible:

Urban Cowboy, West Kill Brewing, Oxbow, Threes, Wild Fern, Occam, Bunker, PS Chainstitch, Tiny Pizza Kitchen, Oyster Party, and our conservation friends over at Theodore Gordon Flyfishers.

I was able to fire off a couple photos while running around like a crazy person. You can check them out here in the gallery.

MAKE SOME FRIENDS

The next Dinner Club will be in Livingston Manor and there are only a few seats left — and not much time to grab one. If you want to come out — claim your spot.

THIS WEEK

There are hundreds of events going on this week. Here are some of the most interesting that I came across.
★ this week’s favorite

WEDNESDAY | The Keeper: Screening & Talk with the Hudson's Riverkeeper
Hudson River Maritime Museum, Kingston at 6PM
a night with the riverkeeper

WEDNESDAY | Pumpkin Carving Party
Westkill Supply, Kingston at 5:30PM
carving with company

THURSDAY | Autumn Arborist Walk
Coxsackie Tree Council at 5:30PM
walk among old trees

THURSDAY | Rocky Halloween Drag Show
Wayside Cider, Andes at 5PM
drag queens and cider

THURSDAY | Tubby's Halloween Cover Band Battle
Tubby's, Kingston at 6:30PM
bands in costume, battling

FRIDAY | Dia de Los Muertos Dinner Show
Pearl Moon, Woodstock at 7:30PM
marigolds

FRIDAY - SUNDAY | Peter Samelson: Phenom
Bridge Street Theatre, Catskill
an illusionist in catskill

FRIDAY | Satanique Disco with Michael V
Return Brewing, Hudson at 8PM
disco, but make it spooky

SATURDAY | Trick or Treat in the Park
Art Omi, Ghent at 1PM
candy amongst the sculptures

SATURDAY | Disco of the Dead
Tin Barn, Germantown at 5PM
undead disco in a barn

SATURDAY | Hallow's Eve Honey Jar Workshop
Intuitively Wild, High Falls at 3PM
the spirit realm

SATURDAY | Boo at the Zoo
Bailiwick Animal Park, Catskill at 12PM
animals and candy

SATURDAY | Screamport
Wortman Square Park, Greenport at 6:30PM
panned by dracula himself

SATURDAY | La Paulée Harvest Celebration
The Aviary, Kinderhook at 6:30PM
a burgundian harvest feast

SATURDAY | Trick-or-Treat at Clermont
Clermont Visitor Center, Germantown at 10:30AM
treats at the mansion

SATURDAY | Gilded Age Hallowe'en Tea & Talk
Staatsburgh State Historic Site at 9AM
victorian ghosts

★ SATURDAY | Doll-O-Ween
The Andes Hotel at 7PM
bring your creepiest doll

SATURDAY | Cowboys and Creatures
Urban Cowboy Lodge, Big Indian at 8PM
halloween at the howl grounds

SUNDAY | What the Constitution Means to Me
Athens Cultural Center at 1PM
the acclaimed broadway play

SUNDAY | Giving Thanks… Looking Forward
Windham Fine Arts
new art on main street

SUNDAY | Wally Walk
Wally Farms, Ancram at 10AM
a free farm wander

MONDAY | Forage Fest: Soup & Gather
Creative Legion, Hudson at 6PM
soup from the forest floor

— No. 158 —

SEE YA OUT THERE.