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Getting Started in Forestry

Sound, sustainable forests begin with determining your objectives, deciding what resources you have on your lands, and developing a written forest management plan that meets your needs and sustains your forest for generations to come. A professional forester can answer your questions and help you develop your management plan.

Becoming a Tree Farmer

To become a member, follow the steps below:

1). Tree Farmers must meet the following criteria for Tree Farm certification. In order to become a member, your woodlands must be:

• Ten acres or more in size
• Under an implemented, written management plan* that accounts for water quality, wildlife habitat, and soil conservation, as well as the production of forest products, all according to our standards and guidelines.
• protected from fire, insects, disease, and destructive grazing.

*If you're just discovering the benefits of forest management and haven't yet met the qualifications for full Tree Farm certification, you may be eligible to become a Pioneer Tree Farmer. Follow the rest of the steps and ask our volunteers about this option.

2). If you meet these criteria, a free inspection of your woodlands can be arranged through your State Tree Farm Committee, which is a network of volunteer professional foresters, natural resource managers, and Tree Farmers in your state. You should contact the committee of the state where your property is located, which may not necessarily be the state where you live.

You can contact your state volunteers directly from this site by visiting our State Tree Farm Committee page. Or, you can fill out a form today and the state committee will contact you to schedule a free meeting with a Tree Farm inspector.

3). The volunteer Tree Farm inspector will call you to arrange a visit to your woodlands and to review your management plan to insure it qualifies. Our Tree Farm inspectors are trained to conduct inspections and will fill out a form for you to sign at the end of the inspection. After your initial inspection, you must be visited by an inspector every 5 years to remain a member.

4). Upon your inspection, you will either be admitted to the program or told exactly what you need to change to become a member. And that is it! There is no cost to become a certified Tree Farmer, but you may make a donation to cover the cost of the inspection process, if you like. Your inspection forms will be sent to your state committee by your inspector and then to the national office. At that point, you will begin receiving our magazine, Tree Farmer: The Practical Guide to Sustainable Forestry, for a free one-year subscription! You can also ask your state committee to order you a Tree Farm sign to post proudly on your property.

The American Tree Farm System is a non-profit, 501 (c)3 organization. There is no cost to become a certified Tree Farmer, but the System may accept donations to offset the costs of the inspection.

For additional information call (888) 889-4466.

A program of the American Forest Foundation.

Why Become a Certified Tree Farmer?

Pride ...

Tree Farmers receive a certificate and a sign that marks their land as a place where excellent forestry is practiced. Just as important, they share the satisfaction that comes from managing their land to the highest standards of good stewardship—and knowing that this commitment has been recognized by their peers. Each year, Tree Farmers around the country compete for the honor to be named state, regional, or national Tree Farmer of the Year.

Profit ...

Being a Tree Farmer often means you will grow and harvest more timber and earn more income than you might have thought possible. Some states offer special real estate tax treatments for Certified Tree Farmers. But along with these financial rewards, will come healthier forests, cleaner water, and better habitat for wildlife--the other rewards that landowners seek from investing in sound, sustainable forestry.

Pleasure ...

Many people are drawn to a Tree Farm simply because they enjoy being in the woods. Some look forward to the hard work of planting and tending. Others take their pleasure in recreation or the natural beauty of their forests.

Benefits of Belonging

Membership in a network of professionals and fellow landowners who share your commitment to sound, sustainable forestry.

Invitations to seminars, field days, and workshops that can help you learn how best to achieve the goals you've set for your Tree Farm.

An annual convention where you can meet, share experiences, and enjoy the fellowship of Tree Farmers from all over the nation.

A free first-year subscription to Tree Farmer: The Practical Guide to Sustainable Forestry. It's the only national magazine specially designed for forest landowners--full of articles with easy-to-use information, product reviews, and plans you can put to work right away on your Tree Farm.

Opportunities, training, and tools that will help you educate others about the benefits of excellent forestry--whether its schoolchildren visiting your Tree Farm, other landowners who want to know more about management, or lawmakers looking to regulate forestry or set your Tree Farm taxes.

An initial inspection of your Tree Farm by a professional forester to help you meet Tree Farm System standards.

Fill out a form today and your state committee will contact you to schedule a free meeting with a Tree Farm inspector.

Alabama Tree Farm State Committee

For information on committees in other states. Click Here.