EDITOR'S NOTE:  Please note the corrected web page address in
paragraph 11.
          
          
DATE:     12/13/00
CONTACT:  Dr. George Kessler, (864) 656-4836; gksslr@clemson.edu
WRITER:   Tom Lollis, (803) 284-3343; tlollis@clemson.edu

Master Tree Farmer program
expands to 14 states in 2001

     CLEMSON -- Landowners with forested property can learn how 
to manage that land to protect the environment while meeting
financial objectives during a Clemson Extension Service program 
called Master Tree Farmer (MTF).
     The program for 2001 runs from Feb. 6 to March 20 in seven 
three-hour blocks from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. It also includes seven 
hours of field tours on March 24 beginning at 9 a.m.
     "The 21 hours of classroom instruction will be offered by 
satellite to at least 135 viewing sites in 14 states," said 
George Kessler, Clemson Extension forester. All the Southern 
states, except Virginia, will participate, along with Missouri
and Maryland.
     "MTF lets the landowner educate himself about sound 
management and marketing practices," he said.
     Kessler said the need for programs like MTF has grown as 
the number of landowners who don't live on the land has 
grown.
     "In South Carolina 75 percent of forest land is owned by
people who have no direct link to the land," he said.
     The 2000 MTF program reached 1,275 landowners in 10 Southern
states at 62 sites. All told, they own more than 370,000 acres
of forest land in the South and adjacent states.
     The program will cost $65 per person. Couples may pay 
$85 and receive one set of handout materials. Registrants will 
receive a notebook with chapters on eight topics. Those who 
complete six of the seven sessions will receive a certificate, 
a Master Tree Farmer cap and a patch for a jacket or shirt.
     The registration deadline is Jan. 22. The late registration
fee is $85 per person and $105 per couple.
     The fee may be paid by check or with Visa or MasterCard.
Checks should be made payable to Clemson University. Forms,
available at Clemson Extension offices, should be mailed to:
Steve MuzaL 272 Lehotsky Hall Clemson, SC 29634-0331.
     Participants may also register online at www.mtf2000 .
Click on the locations button on the homepage, then click South
Carolina on the map. When the next page comes up, follow the
directions for online registration.
     Workshop sessions will be held in Bamberg, Clemson, Camden,
Columbia,Conway, Edgefield, Florence, Greenville, Greenwood,
Newberry, Orangeburg and Summerville.
     For more information call George Kessler at (864) 656-4836.
His fax number is (864) 656-4786. His e-mail address is
gksslr@clemson.edu.
                                END