Family, Forests, Future: Engaging and Educating New and Beginning Forest Landowners
Search for Excellence in Young, Beginning, or Small Farmers/Ranchers
Janet Steele
Area Agent-Forestry and Wildlife
Clemson Cooperative Extension
Orangeburg
Team Members:
Hiesl, P*1, Steele, J*2
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Associate Professor of Forest Operations, Clemson University Dept. of Forestry & Environmental Conservation, Clemson, South Carolina, 29634
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Area Agent-Forestry and Wildlife, Clemson University Cooperative Extension, Orangeburg, South Carolina, 29115
Abstract
Forestry education programs, such as Master Tree Farmer, are frequently offered by Clemson University Cooperative Extension, but many of these are designed for landowners with previous forestry knowledge. The “Family, Forests, Future” program was developed to connect new and beginning forest landowners to a network of forestry professionals across the state and provide a baseline of forest health and management information. The hybrid design of self-paced online content and optional in-person forest management and forest products tours intentionally attracted those previously unengaged in traditional forestry education programs. The virtual platform allowed participants to access program content with flexibility in learning time, eliminating travel costs. It also allowed participants to communicate with experts and build community through a peer-learning opportunity. Distance learning was also ideal for forest landowners in rural locations who may have had limited access to other Extension programming. The optional in-person tours offered experiences that encouraged active participation and first-hand learning opportunities to view practices the online content introduced.
Enrolled participants ranged from 30 to over 70 years of age and were equally divided among male and female participants. One-third were minority landowners, a group often unengaged in extension programming. A pre-and post-course survey reflected a knowledge increase among participants on all the program’s topics. Three-fourths of the participants also indicated they enrolled in the program to learn more about forest management practices and find resources to help them manage their property. A majority also responded that online courses were a preferred method to receive educational information and materials related to forest management. The ability of forest owners to make informed, scientific-based management decisions on their land shapes the health and productivity of their forests, thus contributing to the sustainability of working forests nationwide.
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