American Tree Farm System

[LStone]

I moved to my place about 10 years ago. I had done a lot of reading about this program and I intended on using my woodlot toward being certified in this program. I have been chipping away at this project for this time using my animals for the last 3 years. I have decided to turn up the heat and get down and dirty seriously pursuing this certification. I had a county forester out several years ago and again this fall and I intend on following his advice as he is one who certifies these “tree Farms”.

I would appreciate any of your insight, experience, or advice on involving myself with this program?

Thank you,

LStone

[Carl Russell]

We have had our farm in the program for many years. I can’t say that being a certified tree farm has had any real benefit to us. It’s just a way to validate that you are doing some good things on your farm. The truth is that you are probably doing many more interesting and wonderful things on your piece than most of the other Tree Farmers. The program is heavily tilted toward conventional forestry, but I still have a sign on the barn.

Carl

[Scott G]

Ditto,

Our place has been in the program about 20 years. Great program but what I do goes far above and beyond the ATF program. One of the best aspects of being a Tree Farmer is networking with other Tree Farmers. You definitely have an in and most of those folks are landowners that are more concerned with sound conservation practices than strictly growing timber. There is a wholistic concept with the program; wood, wildlife, water, and recreation. With most of these folk’s concerns regarding esthetics, you have an “in” when it comes to harvesting.

The certification system is one of many; not at the forefront. May be of benefit in the future but I’m not very high on certification systems in their present form.

All that said; I’m proud to have the TF sign on a post at the entrance to our property. If nothing else it shows that people care enough about their forest to have a plan and manage it on a sustainable yield basis.

[Author]

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