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Four Must-Dos for Family Forests

May 3, 2013 at 2:00 pm by Tom Martin

The interim results from the 2011 USFS National Woodland Owner Survey should give everyone who cares about the benefits that come from forests—clean water, clean air, wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, outdoor recreation, wood products, and good paying rural jobs—cause for concern.

Tools for Landowners Threatened by Forest Pests

April 18, 2013 at 9:00 am by Steven Koehn

The Maryland DNR Forest Service works tirelessly to ensure private landowners have the tools and information they need to tackle threats like the EAB head on. Beyond the identification and reporting information we provide for the general public, landowners can also receive technical assistance and advice for management options moving forward.

Maryland Passes Landmark Forest Legislation

April 9, 2013 at 1:10 pm by Steven Koehn

Maryland's General Assembly passed the Forest Preservation Act of 2013, exciting new legislation that establishes new and expands existing incentives and reforestation tools to help private landowners, local governments, and the state maintain its current tree canopy, improve water quality, and support community sustainability through forests and trees.

Maryland Tree Farm Committee Celebrates Arbor Day with State Legislators

April 3, 2013 at 2:00 pm by Steven Koehn

Members of the Maryland Tree Farm Committee were in Annapolis today in celebration of Maryland's Arbor Day.

Walnut Trees and Thousand Cankers Disease

March 18, 2013 at 10:00 am by Harlan Palm

Walnut timber growth and production is really a multi-generational process, as the growth cycle is at least 55 to 70 years. Raising walnut trees is a legacy and I do not expect to physically harvest the younger trees that I pruned and managed. Unfortunately, a walnut grower’s worst nightmare is threatening to ruin everything that woodland owners are working for.

For the Love of Our Woods

February 14, 2013 at 1:10 pm by Jennifer Jones

Happy Valentine’s Day, forest lovers!

To Reduce Risk of Wildfire, Family Forest Owners Need More Resources

October 17, 2012 at 8:40 am by Bettina Ring

The 2012 wildfire season could soon be one of the worst on record. Family forest owners need all the conservation tools they can get, and yet resources for private forest owners have diminished steadily over the last decade. That's one reason why AFF launched MyLandPlan.org.

Why Woodland Owners Need the USDA Farm Bill

May 4, 2012 at 10:55 am by Tom Martin

Last week, the Senate Agriculture Committee passed the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012, more commonly referred to as the Farm Bill, with a bipartisan 16-5 vote. After months of working with staff to make sure the Farm Bill works for forest owners, the American Forest Foundation is excited to see the committee take a big step forward.

Threatened Forests: Woolly Adelgids Attacking Hemlocks

February 14, 2012 at 2:22 pm by Erin Mester

A silent killer is blazing a trail through the Appalachians, leaving countless dead hemlocks in its wake. The assassin is a tiny invasive insect from Japan, the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). The Alliance for Saving Threatened Forests (ASTF) aims to develop trees resistant to adelgids and offers a future for hemlocks in natural settings and the nursery/landscape industry.

Guest Post: Conservation Easements a Good Investment for the South

October 6, 2011 at 5:00 pm by Logan Yonavjak and Nick Price

With forests being converted at a rapid pace in the South, conservation easements are one of the most promising approaches to conserve and sustainably manage them. A new American Forest Foundation and World Resources Institute aims to increase the use of conservation easements in the South by helping landowners, conservation professionals, and conservation funders understand the unique benefits that conservation easements provide, key barriers to their implementation, and how to best address those barriers.

Welcome to the Woods: 10 Tips for New Family Forest Owners

October 5, 2011 at 1:30 pm by Amanda Cooke

New to the world of Tree Farming? Nationally recognized family forest owners provide input on what they believe to be the top 10 tips new Tree Farmers should consider. Thanks to Tree Farmers Putnam Blodgett, Bob and Jean Cooper, Des and Marilyn Jones, and Doug Stinson for their input.

Pests, Begone! Invasive Species Threaten Family Forests

September 15, 2011 at 5:00 pm by Christine Cadigan

Invasive species present a major threat to America’s family forests. Nonnative insects and plants that migrate to non-indigenous forests can wreak havoc. More than 27 million acres of state, county and private forests are at risk in the United States. The Continental Dialogue on Non-Native Forest Insects and Diseases is a collaborative effort among hundreds of member organizations and concerned individuals to abate the threat of non-native pests and pathogens in North America.

Ohio Tree Farmers on Capitol Hill

August 1, 2011 at 4:00 pm by Christine Cadigan

July 20^th started typically early for Walt and Donna Lange—except with meetings on Capitol Hill in place of the usual planting and weed pulling. The Langes, who own 32 Ohio acres that help protect the watershed for Lake Erie, came to Washington to represent fellow Tree Farmers.

New Rule Will Help U.S. Stop Invasives

June 17, 2011 at 4:55 PM by Melissa Harden

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has the authority to stop the importation of suspicious plants, but the current rules draw the process out for months and allow potentially harmful plants to continue to enter the country until a final decision is reached.

AFF’s effort to help more land owners care for their forests

June 7, 2011 at 5:00 pm by Christine Cadigan

Last week I trekked South with AFF's Southern Forest Conservation Director, Paul Trianosky, to southeast Mississippi to test the waters for the Foundation’s latest pilot project.

Budget 101: McIntire-Stennis and Forestry Research Projects for Students

May 4, 2011 at 1:30 pm by Christine Cadigan

In the fifth and final blog post of her Budget 101 series, Christine Cadigan highlights some stellar land grant university research programs.

Budget 101: NIFA Renewable Resources Extension Program

April 29, 2011 at 3:30 pm by Christine Cadigan

The Renewable Resources Extension Program actively supports outreach and education to forest owners, so they have the information they need to be better stewards of their land.

Budget 101: Natural Resource Conservation Service

April 27, 2011 at 4:00 pm by Christine Cadigan

Forests face more insect and disease threats now more than ever before and it is critical we manage our forests to prevent more devastation and loss of species. AFF's Christine Cadigan continues her Budget 101 series with a post about the Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Budget 101: Farm Bill Conservation Programs

April 26, 2011 at 5:35 PM by Christine Cadigan

To better highlight the various programs AFF hopes the Subcommittee will support as the FY 2012 budget process unwinds, AFF's Christine Cadigan identifys specific Farm Bill programs and their many benefits. Read Part 2 now.

Tree Farmer Mathematician: Farm Bill Benefits Really Add Up

April 20, 2011 at 10:50 am by Walt Lange

Walt and Donna Lange own a 32 acre Tree Farm in Swanton, Ohio. Farm Bill programs have enabled the Lnages to protect their soil, enhance wildlife habitat and provide recreational opportunities for their community. With Congress beginning work on the 2012 Farm Bill, we're looking to hear your Farm Bill stories.

Last Call to Enroll your Land in Conservation Reserve Program

April 11, 2011 at 3:37 pm by Dan Conant

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). CRP is accepting general applications until April 15^thfor those who want to enroll new land in the program.

Good News for Tree Farmers

March 23, 2011 at 2:02 PM by Tom Martin

We had a terrific meeting with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Dave White, their National Forester Bruce Wight, and the Director of Ecological Services Terrell Erickson on Tuesday, March 22. The purpose of the meeting was to sign a memorandum of understanding between NRCS and the American Forest Foundation with two key elements.

Timberland Liability: Are You At risk?

December 14, 2009 at 10:53 AM by Brigitte Johnson

It’s a wonderful feeling to have others share in the beauty of your woodlands but don’t be caught off-guard. Protect yourself with the right type of coverage for your property. The November/December issue of Tree Farmer Magazine gives some brief points you should consider.

AFF’s Memo of Understanding with the U.S. Forest Service

October 20, 2009 at 10:54 AM by Bob Simpson

Coming soon: one-stop shopping for Tree Farmers. AFF and the U.S. Forest Service have signed a memo of understanding that recognizes each other’s program forest management plans equally.

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