Oregon’s 2010 Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year
PORTLAND, Ore. The Harry A. Merlo family – MC Ranch, from Union County was named Oregon’s Outstanding Tree
Farmer of the Year for 2010. The Oregon Tree Farm System today recognized Harry A. Merlo during an awards
ceremony at the World Forestry Center in Portland, Oregon.
Mr. Merlo purchased the Tree Farm from a former large industrial property owner about 10-years ago. Since then, Mr. Merlo and staff have managed the property for water, recreation, wildlife, and timber production. Over the last 5-years, selective tree harvesting was done to remove dead and dying beetle-damaged trees. 50-truck loads went to help support local wood-using facilities including the Enterprise, Oregon School District; there the material is used to fuel a new forest biomass energy plant.
“During the winter of 2009, the Enterprise School District ran low on wood chips. The school has a backup oil heating system, but oil is expensive and is not the desired way to heat the school. The MC Ranch was contacted by Rick Wagner from the Oregon Department of Forestry and asked to help find some semi-trucks filled with wood chips for their school. Without hesitation, the MC Ranch started their on-site chipper and began producing fuel for the school.”
MC Ranch actively promotes tree farming by hosting tours for the World Forestry Center Institute Fellows from different countries around the world. The tours demonstrate Eastern Oregon forestry techniques, and also provide an opportunity for local forestry professionals to share United States forest practice concepts with a global audience. “The fellows stay at the ranch for a few days and help perform some ranch related tasks and further their knowledge of this brand of forestry.”
Each year, local groups of Oregon Department of Forestry foresters, consulting foresters, and forestry extension agents meet with the Oregon Small Woodland Owners' Association chapters to select county Tree Farmer of the Year award recipients. Oregon's State Tree Farm winner is selected from the county winners and competes in the Western Regional competition that represents 13-states. The National Tree Farmer of the Year Finalist is selected from four U.S. regional winners.