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32nd annual Linn seedling sale has expanded line-up of shrubs, perennials
Linn County Small Woodlands Association (LCSWA) will host its 32nd annual tree and shrub seedling sale on Feb. 13, 2027 from 8 am to noon at the Linn County Fair and Expo Center. Pre-orders can be placed online at the LCSWA seedling shop starting Dec. 1, 2026 through the end of January. Watch this website…
Activities, volunteers help make SAFE motto a reality
I represent the Linn County chapter of the Oregon Small Woodlands Association (OSWA). Our motto is SAFE, which stands for: Stewardship Advocacy Fellowship Education Strengths The proceeds from the Linn County annual seedling sale are dedicated to education. This includes sponsoring a Forestry 4-H club, college scholarships, workshops, and tours. Please volunteer to help with…
Life of Michael “Scott” Melcher celebrated
With partly cloudy skies outside nearly 700 people packed the Sweet Home High School gym Saturday Sept. 12 to say goodbye to Michael “Scott” Melcher. An opening prayer and closing remarks were delivered by the Rev. Scott Baier of St. Helen’s Catholic Church in Sweet Home. The eulogy was given by Milt Moran, a long-time…
Rain a welcome visitor in dry year
Very strong El Nino pattern likey to keep temperatures higher this fall Fall is starting to show its color in Linn County, with welcome rain arriving the first week of September. While much has been written about the scant snowpack in the Cascades, rainfall in the county’s foothills has also been in short supply. Joe…
Michael Scott Melcher remembered
Memorial service set for Sept. 12, 2026 in Sweet Home Editor’s note: Scott Melcher, his brother Robbie and Jim Cota were Linn County Small Woodlands Association tree farmers of the year in 2009. The trio were named Loggers of the Year by Associated Oregon Loggers in January, 2010. They were selected as Oregon and Western…
Lebanon tree farmers recognized for 30 years of work
Reprinted from The New Era newspaper , published July 7, 2026, with permission. When Larry and Nancy Mauter got married in 1992, they decided they wanted to have a plan for retirement – something different. Larry was a newspaper editor at the Telegram-Tribune daily in San Luis Obispo, Calif., at the time. He met Nancy…
Christy Tye named as Linn volunteer of the year
At the Oregon Forestry Family Convention June 26 in Douglas County Christy Tye was announced as the Linn County Volunteer of the year. Christy is a third-generation tree farmer who has sown the love of nature into her two children and others in our forestry 4-H program. Christy is a 4-H Clever Clovers Leader. Grandparents…
Date set for 2027 LCSWA seedling sale
Online orders can be placed starting in December The Linn County Small Woodlands Association (LCSWA) will host the annual tree and shrub seedling sale on Feb.13, 2027 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Linn County Fair and Expo Center in Albany. Pre-orders can be placed online at the LCSWA seedling shop starting in early…
Five OSU students to share LCSWA scholarships
Almost $20,000 goes to Forestry students; Scio High project receives $500 Nearly $20,000 in educational funding was approved June 4, 2026 by the Linn County Small Woodlands Association (LCSWA). University scholarships relating to forestry were awarded to five Oregon State University students. The scholars will share $19,000. Another $500 was awarded to an environmental education…
Beaver pond on the rise
Restorative work at Dragon Fly Ranch showing results In a sequel to a tour three years ago, the story at Dragon Fly Ranch is: the water is rising. That’s a good thing. Dan and Sandy Nelson have seen their pond along One Horse Slough growing in recent years as their restorative efforts and busy beavers…
Pigeon haven, mature pines on display
Site near the Calapooia River featured in May 1 LCSWA tour Linn County old-timers might know Phil Callaway’s 38-acre forest property along Crawfordsville Drive as the “Pigeon Shoot.” Not so today. Callaway’s parcel just north of the Calapooia River still has flocks of band-tailed pigeons that visit a sodium-rich mineral spring there between April and…
OSU grad looks forward
Joseph Passenant has earned natural resources degree aided by LCSWA scholar money Every February the Linn County Small Woodlands chapter hosts a very successful seedling sale. Proceeds from this fundraiser are used to provide several college scholarships to local students studying forestry, natural resources, or a closely related major, as well as financial awards for…
Weeds in the woods
Tour highlights invasive plants that add to tree farm challenges An on-the-ground look at noxious weeds in forest lands attracted nearly 30 people on a blustery but sunny March 26. Jim Merzenich and daughter Anna manage the 940-acre Oak Basin Tree Farm, six miles south of Brownsville. They shared their successes and challenges in controlling…
How to get the upper hand in noxious weed control
Some noxious weeds may be controlled by pulling them out by the roots. Consider manual and mechanical options of control prior to using herbicides. Check labels and ask for advice before using any herbicide. Many herbicides sold at the hardware store are are not approved for forestry use. Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) herbicide requirements…
Better timber management is needed on public lands
The O&C Lands consist of 2.4 million acres of public land in western Oregon, managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Originally granted to the Oregon & California Railroad in 1866, the acreage returned to federal ownership in 1916. Seventy-five percent of the net proceeds from the sale of timber from these properties is…
Seedlings dispersed
Volunteers are heart of effort to raise LCSWA scholarship funds Volunteers totaled 390 hours over Valentine’s Day weekend to cap the 31st Annual Linn County Small Woodlands Association (LCSWA) Seedling Sale. After filling 163 pre-orders totaling 6,700 plants over two days, 4-H’ers and LCSWA members returned on the event day to assist with plant pickups…
Opening up the woods
Melcher, Cota host pulp processing activity at Fun Forest We arrived at 12:15 pm on February 24 and the hosts invited us to their warming fire. Hot coffee, water, soda, and snacks were provided. On the two days preceding the tour we had three inches of rain and local streams were at flood stage. This…
OSWA director outlines goals
Annual membership meeting in Scio featured speakers, food and 4-H’ers Mike Cafferata is the new executive director for the Oregon Small Woodlands Association (OSWA). He was welcomed to Linn County Jan. 17 as a guest speaker at the Linn County Small Woodlands Association (LCSWA). Cafferata explained OSWA has the four key values – fellowship, education,…
The eagle has landed
Majestic chainsaw art bench is scooped up during LCSWA annual meeting Peter and Anna Conerly didn’t show up at the Linn County Small Woodlands Association (LCSWA) annual meeting looking for a bargain. But they came away with one. A chainsaw-carved bench with an eagle perched on one side was their reward in a winning bid…
LCSWA slates woodland events, activities throughout 2026
Now is time to save the date A full year of activities relating to woodlands management has been scheduled by the Linn County Small Woodlands Association (LCSWA). Board President Jim Merzenich presented an outline of the calendar events at the Jan. 17 annual membership meeting. He emphasized nearly all events are free and open to…