Missouri Woodland Owners Conference Set for October 3-4

By Blake Jackson

The University of Missouri Extension, in collaboration with the Missouri Tree Farm Committee and the Forest and Woodlands Association of Missouri, is inviting landowners and forestry enthusiasts to attend the annual Woodland Owners Conference, set for October 3-4 in Mountain Grove.

According to MU Extension state forester Hank Stelzer, the conference provides a variety of tours and presentations aimed at equipping Missouri landowners with tools to better manage their woodlands while emphasizing the vital contributions of the state’s forest products industry.

The program begins Friday afternoon with optional tours of a black walnut plantation, a hardwood flooring manufacturing facility, or Missouri State University’s experiment station. That evening, attendees will gather for dinner, featuring guest speaker Robbie Doerhoff, a forest health specialist with the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Saturday’s agenda starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Schmollinger Tree Farm, where Max and Lois Schmollinger will share how they turned a neglected Ozark property into thriving, sustainable woodland. Sessions will cover oak regeneration, crop tree release, pine plantation management, post oak decline, and pollinator health.

Stelzer also highlighted the importance of the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), which has supported private woodland management since 1941. Stelzer noted that 82% of Missouri’s 15.5 million forested acres are privately owned, and sustainable management is essential.

“Managing private forestland sustainably can enhance its ecological, economic and recreational value, but doing so requires knowledge, support and long-term planning,” Stelzer said.

Tree Farm certification offers resources, professional guidance, and recognition for woodland owners. “Whether you aim to enhance wildlife habitat, harvest timber sustainably or improve recreational access, Tree Farm can connect you with expert guidance that ensures best practices are followed,” Stelzer explained.

Stelzer added that certification can also bring financial benefits such as cost-sharing programs, tax incentives, and grants, while supporting biodiversity and carbon sequestration.

Beyond technical and environmental value, Stelzer emphasized the sense of pride and community that comes with certification: “The Tree Farm sign signals a landowner’s commitment to sustainable forestry.”

For registration visit, https://forestandwoodland.org/2025-woodland-owners-conference

Photo Credit: gettyimages-paul-hartley