DATE:     1/16/01
CONTACT:  Dr. George Kessler, (864) 656-4836; gksslr@clemson.edu
WRITER:   Tom Lollis, (803) 284-3343; tlollis@clemson.edu

Master Tree Farmer course helps
Dooley understand forest plan

     CLEMSON - When Vince Dooley took a look at a forest management
plan prepared for him by two consultants, he quickly realized he 
needed to know more about forestry to understand the game plan.
     The University of Georgia athletic director and former football
coach decided to enroll in a course called Master Tree Farmer (MTF),
being offered by satellite at the campus in Athens. 
     Originating from Clemson University, MTF reached 1,275 landowners
in 10 Southern states at 62 sites with the basics on sound forest 
management and marketing principles.
     "I enjoyed it so much that I'd like to go back and repeat it,"
said Dooley. "It was a good introduction for me."
     George Kessler, Clemson Extension Service forester, said the 
2001 version of MTF will run from Feb. 6 to March 20. It will be 
taught on Tuesdays in seven three-hour blocks from 7 to 10 p.m. 
It also includes seven hours of field tours on March 24 beginning 
at 9 a.m.
     The 2001 course will be offered to at least 135 sites in 14
states. All the Southern states, except Virginia, will participate,
along with Missouri and Maryland.
     Topics to be covered include: "Forestry Concepts," "Forestry 
As an Investment," "Estate Planning," "Pine Management," "Hardwood
Management," "Timber Marketing and Harvesting," "Wildlife Management"
and "Forestry Services." Registration is $60 per person, $85 per 
couple by Jan. 22. Late registration is $85 per person and $105 
per couple.
     Fees cover the cost of a notebook of educational materials 
and refreshments. To register, contact the Clemson Extension 
office.
     "I think this course would be a terrific experience for 
anybody who owns some land," said Dooley. He expects it to help 
him meet his objectives for the 300 acres of land he owns in 
Madison County.
     "I'm interested in recreation, aesthetics, wildlife and 
timber," he said. "My property has a 15-acre lake on it and a 
stream right down the middle." When he gets time, he plans to 
enjoy some hunting and fishing there.
     In South Carolina viewing locations will be in Bamberg, 
Camden, Clemson, Columbia, Conway, Edgefield, Florence, Greenville,
Greenwood, Manning, Newberry, Orangeburg and Summerville.
     The shortcourse is a collaborative effort of the American 
and South Carolina Tree Farm Committees, Clemson University, 
South Carolina State University, the Southern Region Cooperative
Extension Service, the U.S. Forest Service, BASF Corp. and the 
forest products industry.
                              END