OWW, National Tree Farmer Finalist

Cedarman · July 03, 2009, 09:03:16 AM

Ain't nothing like having one of our outstanding members be selected as a finalist (one of four regional winners) for the National Outstanding Treefarmer of the Year Award. Robert is doing an outstanding job managing his timber,and is also doing a tremendous job using his land to educate other Hoosiers. I have had the pleasure of touring his land and the work he has done is quite impressive.

A great big congratulations, Robert. Good luck in Washington DC at the end of September.

This is BIG.

Norm · July 03, 2009, 09:05:07 AM

Wow! Way to go Robert.

Roxie · July 03, 2009, 09:24:32 AM

Way to go! What an accomplishment!! 8)

sprucebunny · July 03, 2009, 09:27:37 AM

Congratulations 8) 8)

I'm glad you are getting recognition for your hard work !!!

Reddog · July 03, 2009, 09:39:34 AM

smiley_clapping Nice job, best of luck in the finals!

Jeff · July 03, 2009, 09:41:58 AM

I'll be rootin for OWW from my Bear Blind, not far from this tree. ;) ;D

Warbird · July 03, 2009, 11:20:14 AM

It is good to see such hard work be recognized. Congratulations, OWW. Let us know how it goes!

DanG · July 03, 2009, 11:32:07 AM

Quote from: Cedarman on July 03, 2009, 09:03:16 AM

This is BIG.

Yer DanG right it's big!

On Highway 84, east of Bainbridge, Ga, there is a big sign in front of a beautiful pine forest, announcing that the owner was Georgia Treefarmer of the Year in 1998. I admire his forest and his status every time I pass there. OWW, your accomplishment makes his pale in comparison! Congratulations, and I'll be pulling for you in September! 8) 8) 8)

Ron Scott · July 03, 2009, 12:37:59 PM

Great job and Well Done!

RavioliKid · July 03, 2009, 01:01:12 PM

That is fantastic! I can't wait to hear more about it!

8)

Raider Bill · July 03, 2009, 01:46:22 PM

Outstanding Job!

crtreedude · July 03, 2009, 02:36:49 PM

Wonderful! Okay, I want details. How many acres, how many years, you know the score... ;D

Ernie · July 03, 2009, 02:38:00 PM

That's spectacular 8)

Tell us more

Patty · July 03, 2009, 02:51:50 PM

We are all so very proud of you, OWW, way to go! 8)

Cedarman · July 03, 2009, 05:25:57 PM

This goes to show it is quality of work more than quantity of acres.
Robert and his wife, Linnea, own 100 acres and 95 of them are forested.
First 20 bought in 1980 and the rest in 1989 and 2002.
Robert is representing the North Central region composed of 10 states. He will compete against tree farmers from the Northeast, South and West.
Being one of the 4 best out of 90,000 tree farm members is impressive.
To win the award you must demonstrate outstanding environmental stewardship and sustainable management of wood, water, wildlife and recreation on private woodlands.
He had to fill out a 35 page application. The above comes from Farm World July 1 2009.

You should see his big toothy grin in the Farm World magazine. He looks like he just ate a 'possum.

Warbird · July 03, 2009, 05:45:15 PM

Hah. Is that copyrighted material? Would be cool if someone could scan it and post the pic!

Jeff · July 03, 2009, 06:08:15 PM

Quote from: crtreedude on July 03, 2009, 02:36:49 PM
Wonderful! Okay, I want details. How many acres, how many years, you know the score... ;D

Dont you read the forum? ;)

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,1400.0.html

isawlogs · July 03, 2009, 08:45:06 PM

Wow !!!! I aint surprised one bit , he they have worked hard at getting where they are now , way ta go .... 8) 8) 8)

brdmkr · July 03, 2009, 10:13:38 PM

Way to go OWW!

fat olde elf · July 03, 2009, 11:42:38 PM

All the above !!!! Plus OWW is good at delivery !!!!!!! He carried my tribute to Cedarman all the way from Michigan to Indiana last summer....Good Work OWW !!

Paul_H · July 04, 2009, 12:03:20 AM

We're still pulling for you! Good luck.

SwampDonkey · July 04, 2009, 03:40:27 AM

Congratulations on your accomplishment and good luck ahead. I know your woods mean a great deal to you.

Faron · July 04, 2009, 05:07:52 AM

Way to go, Robert!

crtreedude · July 04, 2009, 07:53:09 AM

Quote from: Jeff on July 03, 2009, 06:08:15 PM
Quote from: crtreedude on July 03, 2009, 02:36:49 PM
Wonderful! Okay, I want details. How many acres, how many years, you know the score... ;D

Dont you read the forum? ;)

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,1400.0.html

Well, sometimes, if I wasn't trying to handle 786 acres with mills and a furniture factory I might have more time... :

:D

That is very cool OWW, perhaps if I every have less of a life I would love to come and see your project!

scsmith42 · July 04, 2009, 10:03:37 PM

Robert, congratulations on your achievement and best of success to you obtaining number one!

Scott

WDH · July 06, 2009, 11:10:07 AM

This is quite an accomplishment!

Congrats Robert 8).

OneWithWood · July 06, 2009, 01:20:13 PM

:-[

Thank-you, my friends.

I certainly did not do this alone. This honor is as much a tribute to the fine folks here at the forum, all the foresters, wildlife biologists, loggers, sawyers, environmentalists, members of the Indiana Forestry and Woodland Owners Association, and Indiana Tree Farm who have given so selflessly of their knowledge as it is to my hard work and pursuit of a dream.
The unflinching support of my lovely wife, Linnea, is a very huge part of the equation also.

It still hasn't quite sunk in...

Sprucegum · July 06, 2009, 02:11:24 PM

8) This is no time to rest on your Laurels -

Get to work on your acceptance speach ;D

Ron Scott · July 06, 2009, 02:59:16 PM

Being in the Finals for the Nationals is no easy task. Your good forest management stands out.

thedeeredude · July 06, 2009, 06:20:30 PM

Way to go OWW! Do you have any pictures of your woodland? And could you give a quick overview of what species you have and your management practices?

WDH · July 06, 2009, 09:54:58 PM

Speech!! Speech!! ;D

thecfarm · July 07, 2009, 07:42:31 AM

Now that is something to be proud of.

Coon · July 07, 2009, 12:21:44 PM

Congratulations, I'm sure most of us here on the forum look up to you. I know I do. All hail "King OWW" :D 8) :D

OneWithWood · July 08, 2009, 12:29:17 PM

Quote from: thedeeredude on July 06, 2009, 06:20:30 PM
Way to go OWW! Do you have any pictures of your woodland? And could you give a quick overview of what species you have and your management practices?

For now checking out my Photo Gallery and searching around for my posts will have to suffice.

There is a whole slew of stuff I have to get completed and submitted to the National Committee and it is taking up all of my free time.

I promise after the convention (late September) I will post what happens and include some pics of the property.

thedeeredude · July 08, 2009, 06:27:14 PM

Will do, and a wish for good luck to ya!

OneWithWood · July 27, 2009, 10:46:23 AM

The videos are up!

The videos of the four regional winners have been posted on youtube.
Stihl, Inc. contracted for a videographer to travel to each of the four farms and do a little documentary piece.

You can see mine here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zERTb5c8UE4

If you would like to see the other regional winners type in 2009 Regional Tree Farm in the search box.

The competition is very keen. I can't compete on scenery with a couple of them and I think they all have me beat on acreage. I will just have to rely on my down-home hoosier charm :D

Warbird · July 27, 2009, 11:20:25 AM

Beautiful woods, OWW. Well done.

WDH · July 27, 2009, 11:38:22 AM

Robert, I enjoyed the video and I am very impressed and proud!

Three things help:

1). The investment you and Linnea have made in outreach and education
2). The sawmill to utilize the sustainable wood resources
3). Your self-sufficiency in bio-diesel

One thing hurts:

1). The size of the Tree Farm

Whatever happens, y'all have accomplished a great honor in achieving this level. Rarified air ;D.

RynSmith · July 27, 2009, 12:11:17 PM

Thanks for sharing, OWW, beautiful forest you have there.

What I want to know is why aren't the other three competitors Forum members ???

SwampDonkey · July 27, 2009, 03:27:03 PM

Quote from: RynSmith on July 27, 2009, 12:11:17 PM
What I want to know is why aren't the other three competitors Forum members ???

Jeff's been slack'n a bit. :D

isawlogs · July 27, 2009, 04:25:57 PM

There , go blame poor piggy cooker :

;D

Ron Scott · July 27, 2009, 08:51:45 PM

Great Job! Now waiting to see your pictures in the Tree Farmer magazine.

Roxie · July 30, 2009, 08:40:08 AM

Wow! That is absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing the video, and congratuations!

crtreedude · July 30, 2009, 08:55:18 AM

Very cool! What a beautiful place and job. I consider it an honor to know you sir.

WDH · October 15, 2010, 08:16:52 PM

There was a fine article in the September/October 2010 Tree Farmer Magazine about Robert and Linnea and their Tree Farm. They were the 2009 Outstanding North Central Regional Tree Farmers of the year and finalists for the National Tree Farmer Award. In the article, Robert, our OneWithWood, references the Forestry Forum, and I quote," In 2002, he was an early participant online on the Forestry Forum <www.forestryforum.com>, where he is known as OneWithWood. He has chronicled his tree farm activities on the sawmilling and milling message board, "Time to Stop Being a Wannabe"."

If you are a member of the Tree Farm System and a suscriber to the Tree Farmer Magazine, check it out.

Here is another nice quote at the end of the article, "Brianna, a fifth-grader at Edgewood Intermediate School, summed it up in a letter after her class visited the Good-Goodling Woods: "Dear Mr. Woodling, you have changed a group of kids. You have changed our points of view and our feelings for nature. I am sure you could see in our faces the wonder that we all shared. Thank you for spending time to educate us"."

Robert, I want to thank you too.