Inside this issue:

Letter from the Chair

Tree Farm

MT Tree Farm

Scholarship

1

Forest Products Week

October 17th-23th, 2014

2

Into. To MT Log Markets

Dennis Swift Recognition

Award

3

Inspector Appreciation

RSVP

4

Forest in Focus Initiative 5

Tree Farm Annual

Meeting

6

Note from Steering

Committee

Places to Stay-Annual

Meeting

7

Dear Tree Farmers,

The Montana Tree Farm Steering

Committee continues to gather information, research, survey and talk with Montana Tree Farmers about the “State’s Voice, State’s Choice” process, in which each Tree Farm state chapter must ultimately decide to continue as a certification program or as a recognition-only program (more details are included in the “Certification 101” article in the Spring 2014 edition of The Montana Family Forest News).

In June we completed a 2 day strategic planning exercise with a professional facili-tator and assistance from the National office. One of the 3 focus areas in this plan is to develop a strong membership outreach and input process to inform the State’s Voice, State’s Choice decision. Our goal is to come to a decision – with your help – by the end of May 2015.

An operational Tree Farm program, whether simply for the purposes of recognition or for access to third-party certification, involves significant costs in terms of time and labor. Our current volunteer capacity is taxed to its limit, and regardless of which pathway we

choose we must explore options for keeping the program solvent into the future. Under the certification pathway, Montana Tree Farm would be required to contribute $10 per year for each Tree Farmer to the Nation-al program in exchange for the services they provide in administering the certification program. In addition, some of our own membership has suggested that we explore the option of requesting an additional member contribution to fund state-level operating expenses.

We need your feedback. Please come to your Annual Meeting and let us know your thoughts. For more information please see the “Certification 101” article in the Spring 2014 edition of The Montana Family Forest News or go to the Montana Tree Farm Website at http://www.mttreefarm.org/. If you can’t attend the annual meeting please contact Chair Mark Boardman at 406-314-1993, or Vice-Chair Angela Mallon at 406-542-4221.

Sincerely,

Mark Boardman

Montana Tree Farm Steering Committee Chair

Fall 2014

The Montana Tree Farm

System, Inc. is a non-profit

50l .C (3) organization.

Mailing address: Po Box 17276

Missoula, MT 59808

Christina Oppegard

Treasurer

Other than general editing,

the articles appearing in this publication have not been peer reviewed for technical accuracy. The individual

authors are primarily responsible for the content

and opinions expressed herein.

Letter from the Chair

State’s Voice, State’s Choice Update

Montana Tree Farm Scholarship

Submitted by: Cindy Bertek

MT Tree Farm offers a $500 scholarship annually to a resident of Montana enrolled (for

the first time) or attending any accredited institution of higher education, on a full time

basis, have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above, and must demonstrate an

interest in forestry. Applicants must have a Tree Farmer or a Tree Farm Inspector as

a reference. Perhaps you know someone who qualifies for this scholarship. If so, please

let them know about this great opportunity.

The objective of this scholarship is to help a student with an interest in forestry and also

to get knowledge out to these students about Tree Farm and the family forests of Montana.

Making a connection between future foresters and land managers can lead to the

development of long term personal and professional relationships.

The application deadline is September 15, 2014. For an application go online: www.mttreefarm.org/

about-us/scholarship, email: cindy.bertek@cfc.umt.edu, or call Cindy Bertek at 406-243-4706.

Montana Tree Farm News Page 2

Please help us celebrate by participating in an event and spreading the word!

Montanans across Big Sky Country will celebrate the third annual Montana Forest Products Week during the

third week in October this year. Events are planned for each day of the week running from October 17th through

October 24th. The events are geared for adults and school children, illustrating the benefits of forest products, forest

management, and timber commerce to Montana’s economy and citizens.

Montana’s Legislature established this week in 2011 to honor

our forest products sector-- extending appreciation for the

locally made wood products, forest stewardship, gainful

employment, and access to public and private forests provided

to Montana’s citizens.

Our forest products industry produces quality products for

local, domestic and international markets. Montana businesses

produce a wide range of products from dimensional lumber to

interior finishes, biomass fuel and wood based chemicals. And,

these businesses provide Montanans high paying jobs.

The markets created by our state’s forest products industry

helps offset management costs for small private forestland own-

ers – allowing landowners to continue good forest

stewardship. More information about log markets in Montana

will be presented to landowners as one of our events during this

week. Northwest Management will host a webinar on Monday October 20th. The webinar will take a brief look at

what drives demand in the global and national marketplace, taking a closer look at the Montana scene. Landowners

and others will learn more about what products are bought and sold, the basics of timber sales and logging systems,

and how timber is marketed. There will be opportunities for question and answers.

Kicking of the week is the Forests for Humanity Blitz Build. The Montana Society of American Foresters (SAF)

has partnered with the Ravalli County Habitat for Humanity for a 3-day Blitz Build of a home in Stevensville. Al-

most all of the wood used to build the home will come from Montana mills. Construction will begin Friday Morn-

ing, October 17 and be a “Dried in Home” by Sunday October 19th. This will be the third Blitz Build the Montana

SAF has sponsored. In three days, we will go from a foundation slab to a ‘dried in’ home. No particular building

skills required to volunteer; we can use all help! If you are on a project this summer/fall and would like to help by

donating a load of Montana logs, we can help coordinate with the mill so the proceeds will go towards building a

home from Montana wood products. Habitat homes are not a give-a-way. The new home owner puts in 500 hours

of sweat equity and pays back the mortgage of the home at a 0% finance rate.

Montana’s forests and forest products sector provide us with countless benefits; please join us in celebrating

during this week in October. Events are currently planned in and around Missoula, Kalispell, Columbia Falls,

Stevensville, Ashland, Georgetown and Seeley Lake. The Missoula Chamber of Commerce and Kalispell Chamber

of Commerce will both hold Timber Tours this year to showcase forest management activities, processing facilities

and niche markets. Go to our Facebook page for more information or contact Mo Bookwalter with the Forest

Products and Biomass Program with Montana’s DNRC: 406 542 4371 or mbookwalter@mt.gov

Montanans to Celebrate Montana Forest Products Week

October 17th-23th, 2014

We Need Your Help!

‘Like’ Montana Forest Products Week on Facebook.

Volunteer at the Blitz Build.

Donate a load of Montana Logs.

Participate in one of the events.

Send us other ideas to honor the industry!

Page 3

Each year the Montana Tree Farm System recognizes the top Tree Farm Inspectors at the annual state tree

farm meeting. These inspectors along with the many other Montana Tree Farm Inspectors volunteer their

time, equipment and vehicle use in promoting the Tree Farm System through their certification and inspection

activity.

Are you willing to support Montana Tree Farm Inspectors by contributing to the Dennis Swift Inspector

Recognition Award?

Northwest Management, Inc. (NMI) extends an

invite to participate in an interactive presentation and

discussion for Montana Private Forest landowners on

Monday, October 20th at 9 a.m. Mountain Time. This webinar will be a great opportunity to get a better

understanding of log markets in the region. NMI will

provide a brief look at what drives demand in the

global and national marketplace followed by a closer

look at the Montana scene. Landowners and

others will learn more about what products are bought

and sold, basics of timber sales and logging systems,

and how timber is marketed. There will be opportuni-

ties for question and answers.

Northwest Management, Inc. is a full service natural

resource consulting firm proudly operating since 1984. Our

professional consulting foresters and natural resource staff

provides the best forest planning and management practices

for forest landowners throughout the Inland Northwest.

Contact us so that we can provide a free on-site consultation

with you to discuss your forestry and natural resource needs!

For logistical purposes, and coordination, we are asking that

you RSVP for this interactive presentation. Please submit

your interest to: Jennifer Childers, childers@nmi2.com with

the subject line “MT Log Markets Webinar” and the webi-

nar link and conference call dial-in instructions will follow.

The reservation deadline is Wednesday, October 15th.

An Introduction to Montana Log Markets for the Family Forest Landowner

Submitted by: Jennifer Childers

YES, I would like to show my support in recognizing the importance of our Montana Tree Farm Inspectors

in promoting the Tree Farm Program by contributing to the Dennis Swift Inspector Recognition Award:

Name: __________________________________ Donation Amount: ____________________

Address:_________________________________ City:_______________ State: ________ Zip: __________

Email Address: ____________________________

Please make your check payable to Montana Tree Farm System and return it with this slip to:

Montana Tree Farm System, Inc.

P.O. Box 17276

Missoula, MT 59808-7276

The Montana Tree Farm System is a 501 (C) (3) Organization

DENNIS SWIFT MEMORIAL

Tree Farm Inspector Recognition Award

Montana Tree Farm News Page 4

Inspector Appreciation RSVP

Deadline: Monday, September 29th, 2014

Page 5

The Forests in Focus Initiative

Submitted by: Paula Short

In July, Governor Steve Bullock announced the Forests in

Focus Initiative, designed to address the challenges and opportuni-

ties facing Montana’s forests. There are four key areas of focus:

Forest Restoration & Industry Retention, Tribal, State & Private

Forests, Federal Forest Management, and Collaboration &

Partnerships. In conjunction with introducing the initiative, a

financial investment of $3 Million from the state’s fire suppres-

sion account was also announced. A portion of these funds will be

used for federal engagement with the USDA Forest Service to

assist with moving forest management projects to implementation.

The larger investment is for cost-share assistance for forest

management projects on non-federal lands. The DNRC has

opened a Request for Proposals (RFP) to invite proposals for

forestry work under a cost-share grant program. Up to $2 Million

is available for this effort, with the work focused around the

southern and western areas of the state. Full details on the RFP are

available on the DNRC website; the deadline to apply is October

1.

The Forests in Focus Initiative shines the spotlight on the

important role of forest management for improved forest health,

wildlife habitat, riparian management, fuels reduction and as an

effective too in mitigating the effects of forest insects and diseases.

It notes the vital importance of Montana’s forest industry – our

mills, loggers, transport, forestry consultants and others – in our

ability to implement management activities on the ground. The

Initiative also dovetails with the 2014 Farm Bill and Montana’s

priority landscapes on national forest system lands.

Visit the Forests in Focus website to learn more about these

efforts, associated opportunities, and progress updates as they

become available.

Montana Tree Farm News Page 6

Montana Tree Farm Annual Meeting Agenda and Registration Saturday, October 11, 2014

North Fork of the Flathead River

Transportation: For those who do not wish to drive their personal vehicles up the North Fork road, we will be providing

shuttle service from the Old Train Depot in Columbia Falls. Please indicate on the registration form below how many people in

your party will take the shuttle.

7:30 – 8:00 am

Meet at Depot Park in Columbia Falls (57 Railroad Street, where Nucleus Avenue and Railroad Street intersect); caravan departs promptly at 8am.

8:00 – 10:00 am Travel to Sondreson Hall with stop at Rose Tree Farm en route. Sondreson Hall is 8 miles past Polebridge.

10:00 – 10:30 am Sondreson Hall break – coffee, pastries, and browsing silent auction

10:30 am – 12:30 pm Board buses, visits to Chrisman Tree Farm and Hoiland Tree Farm

12:30 – 1:00 pm Return to Sondreson Hall

1:30 – 3:00 pm Luncheon, awards, States Choice Update, Auction, Open Forum

4:00 pm Return to Columbia Falls

Registration Form: Tree Farm Tour and Luncheon Saturday, October 11, 2014

Pre-registration is necessary to get an accurate meal count. Registration due to Montana Tree Farm by September 26th. Registration fee is $25 per person (Children under 16 are $12.50). Attendance is limited to 100.

Name (s): ____________________________________________________________________

Postal Address:_______________________________________________________________

Phone : ___________________________ e-mail: __________________________________

Please indicate how many of your preferred lunch option: ______chicken enchilada ______vegetarian enchilada (entrees

include salad, drink, and dessert)

# of persons attending: ______ Amount enclosed: $ _________

How many in your party will be riding shuttle from Columbia Falls? ___________ **If tour is filled, late applicants will be notified ASAP.

Please send this form and your check to: Montana Tree Farm Program

PO Box 17276 Missoula, MT 59808

Page 7

Note from the Tree Farm Steering Committee -

The Tree Farm Steering Committee is committed to the annual meeting and keeping the cost as

reasonable as possible. However, the cost of putting on the meeting exceeds $25 per

person. Please consider a donation of an auction item or cash to help cover the cost of the annual

meeting.

Camping:

USFS Dispersed Camping near Ford Cabin

Big Creek Campground

Moose Lake Campground

Red Meadow Lake Campground

Tuchuck Campground

Cabin Rentals:

USFS Cabins Rentals: http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/flathead/recreation/camping-cabins/?

recid=66162&actid=101

Private Cabins in Polebridge area: http://polebridgeranch.com/

Private Cabins in West Glacier: http://www.glacierraftco.com/

Vacation Rentals by Owner (VRBO) http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/montana/glacier-country/

polebridge?from-date=2014-10-11&to-date=2014-10-12

Hostels:

The North Fork Hostel and Inn: http://nfhostel.com/

Bed and Breakfasts:

The Way Less Traveled http://thewaylesstraveled.com/

The Smokey Bear Ranch www.smokybear.com

M o nta n a T r e e Fa r m N e w s

T R E E F A RM P RO GR AM

P o B o x 1 7 2 7 6

M i s s o u la , M T 5 9 8 0 8

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

MISSOULA, MT

59812

PERMIT NO. 100