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Master Tree Farmer Program Impact Assessment
| Name | Roy T. Hollingsworth, Jr | | Situation | The forest acreage supporting pine production in South Carolina is extremely important to the state's third largest manufacturing industry. A large percentage of private, non-industrial landowners lack the technical background and/or desire to reforest, harvest or manage lands. Many landowners in Hampton and Allendale Counties are uncommitted to any type of forest stewardship.
| | Response | Extension's efforts are to facilitate the stewardship of all natural resources to include best management practices to farm and forest owners. A mechanism is needed to coordinate educational responses to issues relating to best management practices for wetlands, forestry, and wildlife. In preparing landowners of the 21st Century to practice sustainable forestry, the Area County Extension agent collaborated with the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service Forestry Department, Regional Extension Forester, Southern Region, USDA Forest Service - Southern Region, the Southern Group of State Foresters, BASF, the American Tree Farm System, the South Carolina Tree Farm Committee, and Area County Forestry Extension agents to assist them in adopting practices for the proper management of land resources including forestry, wetlands and wildlife issues. The agent was the site coordinator for a seven-week workshop consisting of 3 hours each week. Nine landowners from Hampton and Allendale Counties were introduced to stewardship considerations, best management practices for protecting the environment, shown how to plan to meet their objectives as well as acquaint them with the services and assistance available for managing forest land. A brochure entitled, "Master Tree Farmer" was sent to the forestry mailing lists in Hampton and Allendale Counties comprising 50 landowners. The program was aired from Clemson University to 13 South Carolina sites including Hampton and Allendale Counties via satellite. A 1-day field tour was also held in Beaufort County.
| | Impact | After participating in the Extension program, 44% of the landowners acknowledged their knowledge on forest management before the workshop was average compared to 28% fair, and 28% poor. After the seven week workshop, 44% acknowledged their knowledge increased to good, 43% increased their knowledge to average, and 14% increased their knowledge to fair. 100% of the landowners stated they would be interested in an advanced Master Tree Farmer II Program. 100% of the landowners stated they would be interested in taking a Master Wildlife Program. 43% of the landowners learned about the program via newspaper, 28% via Extension newsletter, 14% both newspaper and Extension newsletter, and 14% via when they took the Master Garden Program. 100% of the landowners stated they would recommend the Master Tree Farmer Program to their friends/neighbors. 86% of the landowners felt that this program would help them save money from their timberland and expect to save between $5000 - $100,000. One hundred percent of the landowners felt that this program would help them earn between $25,000 - $100,000 from their timberland. One hundred percent of the landowners plan to make changes in their forest management practices with the knowledge they have gained in this Master Tree Farmer Workshop.
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Last update6/26/2007
This website is maintained by Lisa Terry.
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