Pioneer Tree Farm

The Pioneer Tree Farm category allows interested landowners, who may not quite meet the AFF Standard, to participate in the American Tree Farm System. The goal of using Pioneer Tree Farm is to establish communications with non-managing landowners to motivate them to work toward Tree Farm certification by implementing excellent forestry on their property. Pioneer status is an introductory level of participation in the program; however, it is not a mandatory starting point for Tree Farmers meeting all requirements of ATFS Certification. Landowners meeting the AFF Standard should be considered for ATFS Certification.

The Pioneer Tree Farm category is also used by the committee as a “fall-back” level for those Tree Farmers whose plans have not kept up with the latest Tree Farm standard. A Tree Farm in the Pioneer status is not third-party certified and may not be included in any audits of the state or the national program. Being placed in this category protects both the landowner from failing an inspection, and the state and national program for allowing a deficient property to affect the integrity of the program. Being a Pioneer is not a bad status. It is a reflection of being honest about the status of the management plan.