Purdue Extension Forestry Course Celebrates Over 100 Classes

“Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner Course,” sometimes referred to as the Purdue Forestry short course, helps woodland owners learn the basic concepts of forest management and the options and resources available to them so they can make informed decisions. Since the first class in 1979 over 2700 woodland owners have taken the course.

Over the 47 years of classes attendees have hailed from 45 different towns in Indiana, from 19 different states and Mexico. Participants of the class have gone on to receive commendations for their forest stewardship efforts; the Charles Deam Forest Stewardship award (5 participants); The Indiana Tree Farmer of the Year award (7); and the North Central Region Tree Farmer of the Year (2).

Instructors for the course over the years have included Purdue Extension educators Dr. Burney Fischer, who founded the course, John Seifert, Galen Wright, Rick Myers, Ron Rathfon, Lenny Farlee, Dave Osborne, Jonathan Ferris, Don Carlson, and Phil Woolery.

The course is held in at least two locations each year, and since 2021 there has been an online class option. It generally runs in February thru April timeframe, locations and timing vary. The course is usually a series of eight evening classes of three hours each, with 1 or 2 Saturday field sessions to see applications of the concepts in the woods. The online course is shorter with self-guided videos and discussion sessions.

Topics covered include the forest resource and tree ID, forest ecology, forest cultivation, managing the investment, timber marketing, wildlife management, and resources available.

Look for information on the 2026 classes in late January on the Purdue Extension calendar at https://extension.purdue.edu/events/index.html.