Green Horizons

Despite the threat of rain, 65 landowners and agency representatives gathered at the 2013 Tree Farm Conference in and near Kirksville, Missouri. The event was a combination of workshops and field tours that appealed to a wide audience.

(1) Friday workshops provided hands on experience on inoculating logs for shiitake mushroom production. This program was well suited for the backyard grower to the serious commercial producer. Stay tuned to the Forest and Woodland Association of Missouri for the "Backyard Shiitake Workshop" to be held in February in central Missouri. More details will follow. An additional workshop was held on elderberry production.

(2) Ed Keyser, the 2012 Tree Farmer of the Year, discussed his woodland management which included thinning for wildlife and a timber sale. Attendees also learned about controlling unwanted plants such as autumn olive and multiflora rose.

(3) At Ed's Tree farm they also discussed food plots from soil testing to suitable green browse and other crops for deer and turkey.

(4) Participants learned about log and tree values for money and wildlife. They then watched as one log was cut on a portable band saw mill.

(5) The Awards luncheon and the many events gave everyone a good opportunity to network and learn from each other. This is what Tree Farm is all about.