Koerner Family Tree Farms, including John and Diane, Scott, Jeff and their families, were recently named the 2008 North Central Regional Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year (ROTFY) by the American Tree Farm System. The North Central Region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Wisconsin has a tradition of participating in the Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year (OTFY) program at the national level, including two National OTFY awards in 1996 and 2004. Wisconsin more recently has had a Regional OTFY two years in a row, with Nancy Livingston as the 2007 ROTFY, and the Koerner’s as 2008 ROTFY.

The Koerner’s, along with the other finalists from the Northeast, South, and West regions will be in attendance at the National Tree Farmer convention in Portland, Oregon on October 16-18th, where the National Tree Farmer of the Year will be awarded.

Although the Koerner family resides in Oshkosh, their 1729 acre Tree Farm in located in three townships in Portage County.  They made their first land purchase of 80 acres in 1967 and continued increasing the acreage to the present size.  They discovered that the sandy soils of their property are some of the poorest in the state and began planting trees and have been planting ever since.  They found that this soil would grow red pine very well and is now their primary type.  Other tree species include, oak, aspen, along with some brush areas and wetlands and grass. They have removed acres of invasives such as black locust as well over 60 acres of Austrian and Scotch Pines and replanted to the higher quality red pine.

John wanted to do what was best for the property.  His philosophy remains the same today as it was when he first purchased the land.  He strongly recommends that when it comes to forest management, people need to seek the advice of a professional forester and to follow that advice.  He also believes that we need to prepare for the next generation through family planning and developing Trusts.

The Koerner’s are a wonderful example of ambassadors for forestry.  They use their property continually to show others what the have done, their successes as well as their failures.  They are willing to help others get started and help others not to get discouraged.  In addition to individual visits to the tree farm, they have hosted field days.  Scott serves on a number of statewide committee including the Governor’s Council on Forestry and the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association.  He works with school groups and other youths to share the word of sound forestry.

Wisconsin Tree Farmers like the Koerner’s and many others throughout the state share a passion for promoting the Tree Farm program in their local community, speaking with their elected officials on issues impacting family forest landowners, and with the assistance of their inspecting forester, implementing sustainable forestry practices on their Tree Farms.