July - September, 2009
News from Missouri
The Master Logger Certification (MLC) program is now up and running. On October 17th Greg Brinkley from Piedmont and Shannon Jarvis from Potosi became Missouri’s first two Master Loggers. Both Shannon and Greg have demonstrated that they are practicing the standards of the MLC program.
The MLC program is a third party audit program that is being administrated by Missouri Forest Products Association (MFPA). There is an independent board that oversees the program and determines if a logger should be in or out of the program.
The requirements of the MLC program are many. There are seven areas of responsibilities a logger must uphold: (1) Protect Soil Productivity and Water Quality; (2) Comply with Acceptable Forest Management Practices; (3) Safety; (4) Education/Training; (5) Regulatory Compliance;( 6) Employ Sound Business Practices; and (7) Document Harvest Operations Planning. All of these responsibilities are taught in the current logger training program. The MLC program verifies that the logger is doing what he has been taught. If he is not complying with the areas of responsibilities then the MLC board can remove him from the program.
To become a Master Logger, a logger must contact the MFPA and fill out the necessary forms. An interview with the program administrator will follow and if the logger passes the interview process, then auditors will be sent out to look at several past timber sales to see if the logger has been practicing the requirements of the MLC program.
In short, the MLC program is avenue for the Best of the Best loggers to showcase that they are good stewards of the forest. If they do comply with the program requirements then they will be removed from the program.
Landowners can be assured that they are getting more than a logger when they contract with a Master Logger. Landowners are receiving services from the logger. The landowner will be given the best advice on how to cut the timber and protect the resources on the woodlot.
For more information on the Master Logger Certification program visit MFPA’s website at http://www.moforest.org/education/masterlogger.html .
If you have any questions concerning the forest products industry you can give me a call. John Tuttle (573)522-4115 ext 3304