Who Can Join?
Any non-industrial private landowner located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula or the Wisconsin Counties of Marinette, Florence, Forest, Vilas and Iron that own more than 10 acres and less than 10,000 acres is eligible.

Why Join the Green Timber Tree Farm Group?
Becoming a member of the Green Timber Tree Farm group offers many benefits to private landowners, they include: 

1. Recognition of Practicing Certified Forest Management
    
2. An Inexpensive Way for Private Non-Industrial Landowners to Achieve Third Party Certification and the Right to Sell Forest Products From Their Property as Third Party Certified
    
3. Increased Access to Forestry Information
    
4. Right to Display the Tree Farm Sign
    
5. Subscription to Tree Farm Magazine
    
6. Invitation to Attend the National Tree Farm Convention
    
7. Potential Cost Reductions for Natural Resource Programs Requiring Third Party Certification
    
8. Potential Eligibility for Natural Resource Programs Requiring Third Party Certification

What is the Role and Responsibilities of Green Timber Consulting Foresters, Inc. in The Green Timber Tree Farm Group?
Green Timber Consulting Foresters acts as the Governing body responsible for managing the group and maintaining the third party group certification.  The responsibilities of Green Timber Consulting Foresters, Inc. are as follows:

1. Maintain certification in accordance with the American Tree Farm System, Group Certification Process
    

2. Provide a subscription for each group member to TREE FARMER: THE PRACTICAL GUIDE TO SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY. The only national magazine specially designed for forest landowners – full of articles with easy-to use information, product reviews and plans you can put to work right away on your Tree Farm.
    
3. Provide at least one newsletter per year.
    
4. Notify group members at least three months in advance of any fee changes.
    
5. Maintain strict confidentiality of any proprietary information.
    
6. Pay all applicable fees to the American Tree Farm System including:

                        -$3.60 per group member per year for education & information.
                        -$500+ annual administrative fee.
                        -Fees associated with 3rd party certification. 

Requirements of Each Group Member
There are certain requirements that each group member is obligated to meet in order to maintain membership in the Green Timber Tree Farm Group, these requirements are as follows. 

1. Forest owner must comply with American Forest Foundation’s (AFF’s) Standards of Sustainability. (See online forms below)  All Green Timber Consulting Foresters, Inc. practices meet or exceed the AFF’s Standards of Sustainability.
    
2. Forest owner must have a written forest management plan for the property to be enrolled.
    
3. Forest owner must utilize the management planning services of Green Timber Consulting Foresters, Inc. or a pre-approved alternative service.
    
4. Forest owner must utilize the timber sale administration services of Green Timber Consulting Foresters, Inc. or a pre-approved alternative service.
    
5. Forest owner must intend to maintain the property in forest cover and remain a member of the Green Timber Tree Farm Group for the foreseeable future.
    
6. Forest owner must notify Green timber Consulting Foresters, Inc. if/when ownership status is changed or acres added or subtracted from the Tree Farm.
    
7. Forest owner must pay annual dues of $40.00 per year (may be waived for schools and/or non-profits).

History of the American Tree Farm System (ATFS)
The American Tree Farm System^® (ATFS) was founded in 1941 as a way for private forest owners to learn how to sustainably manage their forests.  By 1944, the ATFS was certifying the nation’s private forests as a way to assure both the United States Congress and the public that the forests were being renewed and managed in a sustainable manner. 

Over the past sixty years, the ATFS has grown and continued to improve and now includes over 60,000 certified properties that currently represent approximately 26 million acres.  All of the certifications of conformance with the American Forest Foundation Standard have been individual certifications conducted by a volunteer force of professional inspecting foresters. 

Over the past ten years, the concept of certification of “Good Forestry” by a professional forester that is embodied in the American Tree Farm System has gained a substantial following, both within the U.S. and internationally.  With the increased interest in forest certification by the global forest products industry, customers, and other non-governmental organizations, the ATFS has experienced renewed interest.

For additional information on the American Tree Farm System (ATFS) please visit their web site at www.treefarmsystem.org

Online Forms:
Download the following online forms (PDF Format). If you can not view the documents, you will need to install the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat Reader ^®.

1. Application For Membership
2. Group Invitation to Join
3. Annual Membership Inquire
4. Eligibility Requirements
5. American Forest Foundation Standards
6. Green Timber Tree Farm Group Standard Operating Procedure

Group Organization 

            Group Manager:                                  
                        Rexx Janowiak

            ATFS Certified Field Inspectors:
                        Rexx Janowiak
                        Jim Pelkola
                        Michelle Miller