Factors Associated with Ohio Tree Farmers'; Forest Management and Outreach Needs

Seventy-three percent of Ohio forest land is owned by non-industrial private forest owners (NIPFs). These owners play a large role in what products are offered in the market place as well as environmental quality and ecosystem services. Ohio certified tree farmers, a subpopulation of NIPFs, actively and sustainably manage their land, often practicing multiple uses. These individuals can provide valuable information concerning sustainable forest management strategies. The goals of this study were to describe 1) the demographics of Ohio tree farmers 2) the framework behind their decision-making, i.e. the motivations, objectives, and constraints of forest management, 3) their educational outreach interests 4) how our results differ from a similar 1989 study and 5) to differentiate like groups of Ohio tree farmers through cluster analysis. Tree farmers were surveyed via a mailed questionnaire following a modified Dillman approach. Results suggest that Ohio tree farmers valued non-consumptive forest qualities over consumptive uses. They were most interested in wildlife diversity enhancement and least interested in non-timber forest product production. Forest disease and insect problems/control and estate planning were of significantly greater interest when compared to those surveyed in the 1989 study. Aside from age, which overall was the most inhibiting factor, tree farmers were significantly less constrained than those surveyed in 1989. Ohio tree farmers segmented into six clusters labeled as: Preservationists, Environmental Stewards, Timber Growers, Resource Producers, Ambitious Tree Farmers, and Financially Challenged Tree Farmers. Ambitious Tree Farmers were the most interested in forestry outreach, while the other clusters were interested in topics specific to their framework’s goals. These results will assist Ohio State Extension Specialists in their NIPF programming efforts regarding sustainable resource management and environmentally responsible land practices.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Environment and Natural Resources

Grantor dc:publisher

The Ohio State University

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Starr, Sarah Elizabeth

Contributors dc:contributor

• McConnell, Eric

• Environmental Education
• Environmental Science
• Forestry
• cluster analysis
• private forest owners
• outreach
• landowner motivations
• non-industrial private forest owners
• forest management

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1366145812

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:osu1366145812