PSF accepted into tree farm system

Premium Standard Farms has been accepted into the National Tree Farm System. This recognition is given to deserving land owners who do an effective job of growing trees as a crop.

The mission of the Tree Farm System is to promote the growing of renewable forest resources on private lands while protecting environmental benefits and increasing public understanding of all benefits of productive forestry.

The Tree Farm System was started June 12, 1941, in the state of Washington. Missouri became part of this organization in 1949. This program is sponsored by the American Forest Foundation and encourages private forest owners to do an effective job of growing trees as a crop.

Nationwide there are now 70,000 Tree Farms covering more than 95 million acres managed for pride, profit, and pleasure. Missouri now has over 1,000 active Tree Farms containing more than 315,000 acres of woodlands.

With the technical assistance provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation, Premium Standard Farms has implemented forest management practices at two of its hog production sites: Badger/Wolf and the Wiles farms, both located in Mercer county. Mainly through the efforts of Premium Standard Farms associates Terry Fairly and Steve Switlik, the company has accomplished over 100 acres of Timber Stand Improvement (TSI). TSI is a management process designed to cultivate a more valuable and sustainable stand of timber.

Premium Standard Farms’ TSI practices have involved culling undesirable trees so more desirable tree species can grow faster and become healthier. TSI also helps provide wildlife habitat by selecting for mast producing species and creating forest openings that promote growth of forage and understory habitat.