Green Horizons

Rising consumer demand for “green” certified products, decreasing market power of many loggers, rising logger liability, and shifting public opinions threaten to close the doors of Missouri’s logging operations. The Missouri Forest Products Association (MFPA), with assistance from the Missouri Department of Conservation, has developed the Master Logger Certification Program to help loggers be proactive in these changing times.

The Master Logger Program is not a “training” program. It is a third-party audited certification of a logging operation’s business and harvest practices. Applicants must have completed MFPA’s Professional Timber Harvester Program.

“The Master Logger Program will provide a means for loggers who have received their certification through the Professional Timber Harvester program to move forward to become a top professional in managing our forests in an environmentally and economically sustainable process,” said Brian Brookshire, MFPA Executive Director. “The importance of professional loggers to the economic health and credibility of the forest industry cannot be overestimated.”

Master Logger Certification relies on a field assessment process to clearly document a logger’s knowledge, skills and harvesting practices using a set of performance standards. The resulting certification will help loggers better market their professional services throughout the entire forest products chain; landowners, foresters, mills, retailers and consumers.

For more information on the Missouri Master Logger Program or to request an application, contact Missouri Forest Products Association at (573) 634-3252.