Starker Forests and the Associated Oregon Forestry Clubs

Starker Forests, Inc. is a family-owned forestry business. The company began in 1936 when T.J. Starker, an OSU forestry professor, began buying cut-over forest land and abandoned farm land in Oregon’s Coast Range. The company is now owned and managed by the third and fourth generations of the family and employs 20 people.

The company owns and manages forest land with the intent of growing and harvesting trees and to help meet society’s need for wood products. However, we place a very high priority on taking care of the land; we want to leave it better than we found it. Biological or environmental needs of the forest oftentimes take precedence over profit.

We want to be a valued part of the community. The company works with many different groups: provide field trips for schools, help with outdoor schools, member of watershed councils, board of the Boys and Girls Club, chamber of commerce, etc. Our employees are encouraged to be active in many different organizations: scouts, Lions Club, Boys and Girls Club, sister cities program, etc.
by Dick Powell, Public Outreach Forester

The Associated Oregon Forestry Clubs (AOFC) has given the opportunity for many high school students to experience a very important role as a leader within the state as well as their community.

Recently, numerous AOFC members participated in a local “tree planting day” put on by Starker Forests. During this activity Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts from around the state came and learned about planting trees, and got to plant trees in pre marked plot the AOFC students. Miller Timber Service workers along with Starker Forest workers taught the AOFC members the week before how to properly plant seedlings. That was one of the many unique opportunities many AOFC members get to experience. The AOFC state officers explained to the 120+ scouts along with 70+ parents and scout leaders how to (and how not to plant a seedling) before they were sent out to their plot.

This year was the first time AOFC officers got to teach everyone in groups about tree planting. This gave the students the chance to experience standing before an unfamiliar group of people and teach about something they had learned.

This is just a part of countless opportunities the Associated Oregon Forestry Clubs has given high school students to get to experience leadership first hand.
by Erika Hewlett AOFC State Officer President