Master Forest Owner

Master Forest Owners are landowners like you. We are here to help you learn how to take care of your woods.

The Master Forest Owner (MFO) program provides private woodland owners of New York State with the information and encouragement necessary to manage their forest holdings wisely. Since its inception in 1991, MFOs of Cornell Cooperative Extension have helped over 1,000 landowners.

The term “Master” Forest Owner implies education as in “School-Master”. Experienced and highly motivated volunteer MFOs are available statewide, ready to assist neighbor woodland owners with the information needed to start managing their woodlands, through free site visits to landowners properties. The training volunteers receive complements their experience as forest owners.

Are you a landowner interested a visit from an MFO volunteer? The Agroforestry Resource Center serves as the coordinator for the MFO program in the Hudson Valley/Northern Catskill region. MFO volunteers visit the properties of interested landowners and accompany them on a woods walk. The MFO provides advice to the landowner on stewardship options, techniques and resources. Request a 'Woods Walk' with a Master Forest Owner volunteer by completing this form.

For more information: view our MFO brochure , visit the NYS MFO website, or contact MFO regional coordinator Kristopher Williams.

MFO volunteers attend a 4-day training program where they learn about forest ecology, wildlife, silviculture, sawtimber and woodland economics. After graduating from the training, MFO volunteers continue to receive information, updates, attend refresher classes and maintain contact with natural resource professionals from private, public, and academic organizations who can provide expert advice to landowners.

Interested in becoming an MFO volunteer? Get more information HERE.