News and Events

Raspberry Production Workshop for Landowners

Wednesday, 29 July 2009 01:57:26

July 16, 2009

A Free raspberry production workshop is scheduled for Tuesday evening, August 25 at the Rod Nippert raspberry planting located at 12861 Parmiter Road near Amesville. The raspberry workshop will begin at 6:00 pm and run until about 8:15 pm. There will be a pre-workshop program entitled “Welcome to the Federal Valley Area” held at 5:30 pm.

Rod has 800 feet of raspberry plants. He started with 400 feet of plants about 5 years ago and added another 400 feet of plants in the spring of 2009. Rod has enjoyed good success with raspberries and wants to share some of his production methods and his keys for success. He will focus on raspberry production using organic principles. Rod uses a unique fencing system to keep deer out of his raspberries and he uses a solar powered drip irrigation system to provide water for his berries.

In addition to Rod, Maurus Brown and Shawn Wright, OSU Extension Horticultural Specialists from the Piketon Centers will be joining us as resource persons for the evening. Information will be provided that will be applicable to both the home and commercial gardener. Topics that will be covered during the workshop include:

· Site Selection and Preparation for Planting

· Variety Selection

· Establishing the Planting

· Care and Maintenance (weed control, irrigation, pruning, thinning, trellising, fertility etc.)

· Handling Pest Problems

· Harvesting and Handling

· Marketing

· Economics

This workshop is sponsored by OSU Extension, Rural Action, Ohio Environmental Education Fund and Bodacious Berries.

Contact the Athens County Extension office at 593-8555 or Rural Action at 767-4938 for more information.

Comments (1)

Agreement Will Benefit Forest Owners in Seven Southeast

Wednesday, 29 July 2009 01:53:03

Agreement Will Benefit Forest Owners in Seven Southeast

Ohio Counties

Columbus, July 24, 2009 – The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Ohio Forestry Cooperative entered into an agreement through the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) to improve conservation on non-industrial private forest lands. CCPI is a conservation initiative that enables NRCS to target Farm Bill funds to projects and geographic areas proposed by eligible partners.

This CCPI project will enable eligible forest owners located in the seven county area to apply for technical and financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). This program helps landowners with the implementation of conservation practices on their non-industrial private forest land. These conservation practices may include timber stand management, invasive species control, tree planting, and other forestry conservation practices. The seven counties in the project area include Perry, Morgan, Washington, Meigs, Athens, Hocking and Vinton counties.

"CCPI allows NRCS to work more effectively in partnership with organizations that share our conservation mission," said Ohio NRCS State Conservationist Terry Cosby. "This will be the first agreement between NRCS and the Ohio Forestry Cooperative and I’m looking forward to our joint collaboration. Ohio’s forest owners will benefit from the expertise the OFC can provide in forest conservation planning."

The OFC will work with the forested landowners receiving EQIP funding through a variety of workshops and demonstrations dealing with forestry management practices. Signs will also be posted to inform the community about conservation and sustainable land management at various demonstration sites.

For more information about the Ohio Forestry Cooperative and their involvement with this partnership or forest related services they offer to private landowners with forestland please visit their website www.ohioforestrycooperative.com or call (866) 699-7463.

NRCS is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that assists private landowners with sustainable land management using science-based conservation methods.

Visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ for additional program information.

Comments (1)

Horselogging Demonstration

Friday, 01 May 2009 01:39:03

The Ohio Forestry Cooperative (OFC) and the Southeastern Ohio Woodland Interest Group (SEOWIG) would like to invite you to participate in a Horselogging Workshop and Demonstration on Saturday May 23^rd. This event will take place in the Athens area at two properties operated by OFC members.

The day will begin with a live horse logging demonstration at the Atkins Property, where a pre-commercial thinning is being implemented on a 3 acre stand of white pine. Secondly, attendees will travel to Sugar Bush Farm for a brown bag lunch, and to visit a 50 year old stand of pine that was thinned using horse logging techniques in 2005. Attendees will be able to compare the residual effects of low-impact harvesting techniques, as well as discussing the pre-harvest planning process, and timber marketing.

This event will also be a great opportunity to network with members of the OFC and SEOWIG and to learn more about the programs they offer. For additional information about this free event visit: email: info@ohioforestrycooperative.com, or call Susi at (740) 767- 4938 to register. Thank your for your time and we look forward to your participation at this event.

Date: Saturday, May 23
Time: 9:30am-2:00pm
Meet at: 3300 Fox Lake Rd. New Marshfield, OH

To Download a Brochure Click Here!

If you would like to Register online click here!

Directions:
From RT 56 in Athens (West Union St)
- Left onto Radford Rd / CR-19
- Right on Baker Rd
- Right on Baker Rd / CR-10
- Slight Right onto Fox Lake Rd / CR-81

Comments (0)

ODNR Open House: Assistance for Invasives

Friday, 03 April 2009 10:20:03

There will be an Open house Thursday April 16^th at the Athens Department of Natural Resources to talk

about funds and assistance currently available for controlling invasive species. It will last from 4pm-6pm

Woodland Invasive Species Program Launched to Promote Healthier Forests in 22-County Area

COLUMBUS, OH - Nearly $1 million in federal landowner assistance funds and technical advice from a forester are available in a 22-county area in central and southeastern Ohio for woodland owners interested in controlling invasive species.

The participating counties include: Adams, Athens, Champaign, Clark, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Gallia, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Madison, Meigs, Morgan, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Scioto, Ross, Vinton and Washington. (Click for map)

"It just makes more sense to grow oak trees than weed species like tree of heaven and bush honeysuckle," said David Lytle, state forester and chief of the Ohio Division of Forestry. "Thanks to a partnership with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, nearly $1 million is available to landowners to remove these non-native species and to encourage healthier woods throughout central and southeastern Ohio."

Invasive plants are estimated to cause billions of dollars in damage annually to the environment, forestry, agriculture, industry and recreation.

Annemarie Smith, an invasive species forester based in Athens, is available to meet property owners with five or more acres of wooded land in the targeted twenty-two counties. She can assist landowners with plant identification, on ways to address an infestation of weedy invasive plants, including treatment and control recommendations, and on how to qualify for federal cost-share assistance funds provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP).

In addition to working with landowners directly, Smith and other ODNR foresters will assist landowners through education and outreach.

Why grow a weed when you can grow an oak tree? Contact Annemarie Smith today at (740) 589-9914 or send an email to InvasiveSpeciesForester@dnr.state.oh.us. Help make your woods healthier and more valuable.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Learn more about the Ohio Division of Forestry and Invasive Species at www.ohiodnr.com/forestry.

Comments (0)

April 25th - Working Woodlands in the Federal Valley Workshop

Friday, 03 April 2009 10:16:35

Saturday, April 2510:00 AM – 4:00 PM Broadwell Hill Learning Center Stewart, OhioRural Action workshop being held through funding from Ohio Environmental Education Fund (OEEF). For more information, contact Tom Redfern (tomr@ruralaction.org).

Event Description

Join us in the Beautiful forest of the Broadwell Hill

Learning Center to Learn about options for managing

your woodlands economically as well as ecologically.

Speakers include:

Chip Carroll of Woodlandwise Botanicals and

United Plant Savers. Chip will lead a field tour highlighting

medicinal herbs, discussing how they can be

grown and marketed.

Pete Woyar, Consulting Forester member of the

Ohio Forestry Cooperative, and Chairman of the

Board of Supervisors of the Athens County Soil and

Water Conservation District will discuss connections

for working woodlands that can help landowners

meet their goals.

Doug Albaugh, of Friends of the Lower Muskingum

will discuss the control of invasive plants, including

his successful methods for controlling Tree of

Heaven.

Dave Schatz, Retired Service Forester and member

of the Athens Conservancy will lead a Tree Identification

walk, and discuss methods of Timber Stand

Improvement.

Tom Redfern of Rural Action will demonstrate

propagation methods for woodland plants.

More Speakers to be Announced!

Sponsored by Rural Action through funding by the

Ohio Environmental Education Fund

Saturday

April 25th

10:00am-4:00pm

Broadwell Hill

Learning Center

22215 Mayles Ridge Rd.

Stewart, Ohio 45778

Driving Directions:

• From U.S. take 50/32 East of

Athens, turn NORTH on State

Route 329 at the Marathon

Station.

• Continue north through Guysville

and Stewart, and note the

white mile marker signs on the

right of the road.

• Turn right immediately

BEFORE mile marker 8: Mayles

Ridge Road, County Road 38.

• Continue up the small rise,

follow as road veers sharply to

the left.

• Continue up to the horizon.

Second driveway on the right.

• Green mailbox with number on

right, hidden driveway to the

right.

Turn onto the driveway immediately

before the mailbox,

and pass through the gateway.

• Follow the main graveled drive

back into the woods,

and veer left at a small rise

toward the house circle.

Comments (0)

Next Board Meeting April 20th

Friday, 03 April 2009 10:02:57

There will be a Phone/ Webinar Conference April 20^th

Each committee will report on its progress. If you are in the Athens Area, we will meet at the NNFP office.

The Phone Conference will be at 12pm EST. Scott Bagley will send out the contact details. If would like to Attend this Call please reply to Scott@nnfp.us

This call is open to interested members.

Comments (0)

Landcare Committee Meeting April 6

Friday, 03 April 2009 10:00:23

The Landcare Committee will meet April 6th in the Plains from 10a-12p
please cont pwoyar@verizon.net if you are interested in attending this meeting or joining the landcare committee

Comments (0)

OSU Extension Op: The Basics of Selling Timber

Friday, 06 March 2009 07:00:19

This landowner workshop that will walk you through the process of having a successful timber sale—one that assures that you receive a competitive price, as well as, meets your woodland ownership goals! It will explore the timber marketing process from deciding if and what to harvest, advertising what you have to sell, making the process competitive, developing a contract, controlling erosion with BMP’s, and understanding timber taxes. Participants will be introduced to a variety of resources that are available to help with the timber harvesting process and the management of your woodlands.

Experts will present a variety of topics which include:

Timber Harvesting & Marketing
Best Management Practices & Timber Harvest Plans
TImber Sales Contract Basics
Taxes & Timber Sales
Resources for Woodland Management Assistance

This class qualifies for 4 hours of continuing education credit for the Ohio Forest Tax Law Program.

When:
Saturday, Apr. 18, 2009, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Where:
Troyer's Dutch Heritage Restaurant
720 SR 97 West
Bellville, OH 44813
419.886.7070

Registration/Costs:
• Early Registration - $40
• Rgister after Apr. 8th, 2009 - $50

The Brochure: http://woodlandstewards.osu.edu/classes/basics_selling_timber.pdf
Register Online: http://cfaesreg.org/profile/form/index.cfm?PKformID=0x93287f7

Comments (0)

March 21st Event - Cooperatives for Forest Sustainability

Thursday, 05 March 2009 01:32:46

Cooperatives for Forest Sustainability

A workshop for landowners.

March 21, 2009, from 10 am to 2:00 pm

“Meet & greet” with coffee, tea & snacks 9-10 am

Stuart’s Opera House in Nelsonville

Sessions will include:

Certification for Sustainable Forestry

Harry Groot, manager of the Blue Ridge Forest Co-op will describe the ins and outs of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, and how his group is using it to affirm that their practices are sustainable and develop products demanded in the green marketplace.

Stories of Forest Cooperation

Hear how the Living Forest Cooperative (LFC) in Wisconsin and the Blue Ridge Forest Cooperative in Virginia are supporting growing networks of landowners in taking care of their land. Speakers will include Harry Groot and Kent Makela, Board President of LFC.

The Ohio Forestry Cooperative

Athens-area members of Ohio’s first forestry cooperative will describe some of the projects that members have implemented and provide an overview of membership benefits and services offered by the group.

For more information, contact Susi Rankis at susi@ruralaction.org or (740) 767-4938.

Hosted by the Appalachian Forest Resource Center, the Ohio Forestry Cooperative and Rural Action. Supported in part by the Ohio Environmental Education Fund and USDA Rural Development.

Comments (0)

March 21st - Ohio Forestry Cooperative General Meeting

Thursday, 05 March 2009 01:25:03

OFC Members,

There will be a general Co-op Meeting on March 21st, at Stuarts Opera House from 2pm - 4pm following the Cooperatives for Sustainable Forest Event.

An Agenda will be sent out in the coming weeks.

Stay Tuned!

Contact Susi@ruralaction.org to RSVP or call Susi at (740) 767-4938

Comments (0)

May 23 Field Day: Horse Logging Demonstration

Thursday, 05 March 2009 01:24:11

Join us Saturday May 23, 2009 for a field day on Horse Logging.

More Details Soon!

Comments (0)

Next Board Meeting March 3rd

Friday, 20 February 2009 08:31:51

The next board meeting Conference/Webinar is Scheduled for March 3rd, 2009 at 1PM. NNFP will be hosting this webinar, Please contact Susi Rankis Susi@ruralaction.org or Scott Bagley Scott@nnfp.us if you plan to attend.

Comments (0)

Community Energy Solutions: Heating Rural Schools and Facilities with Woody Biomass Workshop

Thursday, 18 December 2008 08:56:40

OFC is Cosponsoring a workshop with Rural Action on Friday - January 16th, 2009. This workshop will bring together various community members, school administrators, landowners and forestry professionals to learn and dicuss utilizing woody biomass as a local, low cost option for schools in Southeastern Ohio. If you would like to register to attend this event goto www.ruralaction.org and click on the register button that looks like the image below. On their website is also a full agenda and registration form.

you can also contact Susi@ruralaction.org for more info

Comments (0)

Board Meeting January 20th, 2009

Thursday, 18 December 2008 08:48:34

A Board meeting is scheduled for January 20, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. I would like to make it a virtual meeting, using webinar technology from NNFP.

On the agenda for the Board meeting would be at least the following topics:

-- Report from Dave Schatz on list of retains, treasurer’s report;

-- Report from Business Development Committee (we will know more about these topics after the meeting of that committee on January 7);

-- Report from Susi Rankis on FSC certification first steps;

-- Report from Susi Rankis on carbon credit status;

-- Possible report from Counsel Jon Sowash re name change;

-- Review of website progress and membership drive efforts, possible brochure efforts;

-- other topics as you suggest.

Contact Terry for more info!

Comments (0)

Coop Business Development Meeting 1/07/09

Thursday, 18 December 2008 08:41:59

OFC will have it next coop development meeting January 7th, 2009 at 3pm in Athens. Please Contact Susi or Pete for more information!

The notes from our last meeting are available from Susi.

Comments (0)

Coop Business Development Meeting

Tuesday, 25 November 2008 02:44:53

December 5, 2008 10a-12p The Business Development Committee will meet
for more information or Directions please call Susi or Pete

Agenda

- Review annual meeting notes

- Develop list of projects

- Prioritize projects

- Develop action plan for 2009- refer to Board of Directors for approval

Comments (0)