The following is a partial list of agencies and organizations that serve Missouri forest and land owners.  The numbered documents are from the Forestry Writers Guild.

Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Forest Management for Missouri Landowners; www.mdc.mo.gov/landwater-care/forest-management

Missouri Forest Resources Advisory Council; www.mofrac.org

Missouri Forest Products Association, (573) 634-3252, www.MoForest.org, serves and promotes the forest products industry of Missouri; MFPA conducts Professional Timber Harvester training and Master Logger Certification

Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance Grant (TRIM) is a cost-share tree care program that provides $1,000 to $10,000 to assist Missouri cities, towns and schools; Tree City USA provides direction, technical assistance, public attention, and national recognition for community forestry programs; TRIM and Tree City USA can be found at www.mdc.mo.gov/landwater-care/communities/grants/community-forestry-programs

Call Before You Cut, a MDC program that encourages landowners to call 1-877-564-7483 for information before selling timber; www.callb4ucut.com

Right Tree Right Place, a anti-tree topping program that encourages wise tree choices; www.arborday.org/trees/rightTreeAndRightPlace/index.cfm

Don’t Move Firewood! campaign; www.dontmovefirewood.org

Grow Native! is a joint program of MDC and the Missouri Department of Agriculture; www.grownative.org

Forest ReLeaf of Missouri provides free trees for schools and public lands; www.moreleaf.org

Missouri Forestkeepers Network offers teacher resources, workshops and the Heritage Woods Program, which recognizes landowners who provide outstanding care for their woods; www.forestkeepers.org

Missouri Master Naturalist program; www.extension.missouri.edu/masternaturalist/training-overview.aspx

Succession Planning for Woodland Owners; www.centerforagroforestry.org/pubs/planning.pdf

The Center for Agroforestry at the University of Missouri is one of the world’s leading centers contributing to the science underlying agroforestry practices; www.centerforagroforestry.org

Forest Management Assistance for Missouri Landowners

Forestry Extension Missouri Woodland Steward

Soil and Water Conservation District

Thousand Cankers Disease threatens Missouri black walnut industries

State Forest Nursery

Grow Native

Selling Timber

Determining Timber Cost Basis

Managing Your Timber Sale Tax

Increase Woodland Products through Timber Stand Improvement

Forestry Assistance for Landowners

Missouri’s Largest Landowner Leaves a Sylvan Legacy

Verlin Beasley

Summersville Schools Tree Planting

How to Plant a Tree

Missouri Forests

Get Into the Forest

What Ever Happened To All the Timber Birds

Wildlife Friendly Farmland

Forests for the Future

MISSOURI FOREST VALUES

Naturescaping

Care of newly planted trees

Watering Your Shade Trees

MDC offers TRIM grants for community forest improvements

The Center for Agroforestry at the University of Missouri

THE MANURE DRAG 3-6-2012

Preserving the Family Forest

Master Loggers

The Basics of Selling Timber

MissouriStreamLawforBullCreek

Choose Forestry 2-27-2012

Soil and Water Conservation District’s

Thousand Cankers Disease threatens Missouri black walnut industries

Forestry Extension Missouri Woodland Steward

Project Learning Tree

Grow Native

Backyard Woods

Tree Revetments for Stream Bank Stabilization

Watering Your Shade Tree1

Care of Newly Planted Tree1

Tree Planting

Healthy Forests for Generations

8045_5179 Missouri Urban Trees

The Center for Agroforestry University of Missouri

Profit in Agroforestry

Links & Resources

Selling Timber

Determining Timber Cost Basis

Managing Your Timber Sale Tax

Increase Woodland Products through Timber Stand Improvement

Forestry Assistance for Landowners

Missouri’s Largest Landowner Leaves a Sylvan Legacy

Clearing the WaterBig Piney Rive1

Alternative Watering Sources

State Forest Nursery

Soil and Water Conservation District

Thousand Cankers Disease threatens Missouri black walnut industries

Forestry Extension Missouri Woodland Steward

Project Learning Tree

Grow Native!Soil and Water Conservation District’s

Backyard Woods

Tree Revetments for Stream Bank Stabilization

 Private Land Programs, landowner assistance and cost-share programs:

USDA NRCS

*Texas County-Robert Rouse-(417) 967-2028 x 3

*Howell, Ozark, Douglas Counties-April Wilson-(417) 683-4816 x 3

MDC Private Land Conservationists

*Texas County-Lesly Holt-(417) 967-2028 x 3

*Douglas and Ozark Counties-Brad Mormann-(417) 683-4816

*Howell County-Brad McKee-(417) 256-7117

I can be contacted at 417-967-0676, 417-260-3064, or petermaki@totorcd.ord.
Peter Maki, Forestry Communication Specialist

The Missouri Department of Conservation provided grant funding to six schools in southern Missouri for implementation of biomass thermal energy projects. The funding was provided under The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA), and was administered by the US Forest Service.

We cordially invite everyone to the Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies at each of the six schools:

• Gainesville R-V School District, Monday, Oct. 24 at 10 a.m.; from Hwy. 160, go north on Hwy. 181 one mile.
• Mountain View-Birch Tree Liberty High School, Monday, Oct. 24 at 2 p.m.; from Hwy. 60 three miles east of Mountain View, go south on Hwy. T for one block, go right on the blacktop 1/8 mile.
• Eminence R-I Elementary School, Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 10 a.m.; from Eminence go west on Hwy. 106 one mile.
• Southern Reynolds County R-II School District, Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m.; from the intersection of Hwy’s. 21 and 106, go west on Hwy. 106 for three blocks to the four-way stop, go left three blocks, go left at the Baptist Church and go up the hill to the school.
• Steelville R-III School District, Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m.; as you come into Steelville from the north on Hwy. 19, the school is on the right.
• Perry County 32 School District, Thursday, Oct. 27 at 10 a.m.; the school is at 326 College St. in Perryville. From the court house square in old downtown, go south on Main St. three blocks and left at the school sign.

MDC Forest Management Chief, John Tuttle said the MDC is pleased to see construction completed.

“As these schools operate their boiler systems, they’ll use woody biomass from local and private forest land to heat their facilities, we’ll see the new technology help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, reduce energy costs, create or retain jobs and support healthy forests and the state’s forest industry,” Tuttle said.

“These Fuels for Schools projects will help create a stronger market for woody material historically considered waste, such as unhealthy or small-diameter trees and wood debris left from logging, which currently have little or no commercial value.”  Tuttle explained that the projects support forest health, a key part of the MDC’s mission, by making it economical to thin overcrowded forest stands and remove diseased and insect-infested trees.

For more information on the Missouri Fuels for Schools program go online to http://missourifuelsforschools.totorcd.org or contact Peter Maki, Coordinator, Missouri Fuels for Schools Project, 417-967-0676, or email to : petermaki@totorcd.org.

On April 15, 2011, Congress zeroed out funding for the RC&D program nationwide.  In a teleconference on that date, we were given ‘a few days’ to vacate the USDA office that two of our employees were headquartered at, not to mention all our files, equipment and supplies accumulated in over 45 years of existence.  Thanks to Council Member Pat Marble, we are now located at 810 S. Sam Houston Blvd (next to Hardees), in a building owned by Houston Community Betterment.  I also want to thank Rick, Justin and Josh Dixon for moving muscle as well as employees Rosanna Hernandez and Peter Maki.  

That being said, we are now open for business! Our new phone number is 417-967-0676, and our next meeting is June 8 at 10am at the new office.

While we are exceedingly disappointed in Congressional and NRCS actions, we are determined to turn this challenge into an opportunity, and remain committed to our mission of assisting the rural communities of south central Missouri.

Emery Styron of the River Hills Traveler attend the Jacks Fork Watershed meeting last month.  He learned about the many projects that were going on as well as what is happening in community.  Read Septic tanks, toy helicopters part of life in modern Ozarks.

February 18, 2011

The Texas County, Mo., Genealogical & Historical Society has a document labeled “1924 School Districts, Texas County, Mo.”  The document lists 140 rural school districts.  There are six High Schools-3rd Class” listed, which include Raymondville, Ozark, White Rock, Elk Creek, Shady Grove, and Gravel Point.  Plato is then listed as “High School-2nd Class.”  The list concludes with four “High Schools-1st Class,” which include Summersville, Cabool, Licking, and Houston.

Of the schools still standing eight are now homes, one is a church, and four are community centers.  Seven of the eight homes are beautiful rock structures built by Work Project Administration (WPA) Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) crews.

We invite you to take a driving tour of these one-room schools.  After school consolidation in the 1950′s and 1960′s, most of these schools reverted to private ownership, with some becoming community centers.  Please respect the property owners’ privacy.

Oak Hill: starting your tour in Houston, proceed north on Highway 63 to Highway E.  Located on the NE corner of Highway E and Tiffany Drive is Oak Hill School, a beautiful example of WPA stone craftsmanship.  The Oak Hill School is now a private residence, so please respect the owners’ privacy.

Brown Hill: just across from the Emmett Kelly Park on Highway 63 in Houston, take Brushy Creek Drive for three miles to Brown Hill Road, go left one-eighth mile to the school on the left.  Brown Hill School is now a private residence, so please respect the owners’ privacy.  The field stone structure, with the spider web raised grout line, is a beautiful example of WPA workmanship.  The original playground equipment and working hand water pump are still here.  This is the most original one-room school we have viewed.

Mt. Vernon: proceed north from Raymondville on Highway 137, and just west of Oscar on Clayton Road is Mt. Vernon School, now a community center.  The building is well maintained, and even has its original bell tower.

Ozark: east of Houston just off Highway 17, by the Ozark Baptist Church, is Ozark School.  It is now a private residence and owner privacy is appreciated.

Tyrone: located on Highway H between Highways DD and 137 is Tyrone School, now a community center.  It is in good condition.

Pleasant Grove: located on Cross Road just north of Malberg Road east of Highway 63 between Cabool and Houston, Pleasant Grove School is now a private residence.  It was build by the WPA, and is another example of fine stone craftsmanship.

Gum Springs: at Dunn and Highway 60, go south five miles on Kings Road to Gum Springs School.  It is in rough condition.

Dunn: located on Old Highway 60 at Dunn is Dunn School, rennovated in 2001.

Fowler: located at Highway MM and Fowler Drive is Fowler School, now used as a church.

Gravel Point: located at Hillside and Gravel Point Roads north of Dunn is Gravel Point School.  It was built by the WPA and was a “Job high School.”  After the students attended two or three years of high school, they could attend Houston or Mountain Grove and graduate with a high school diploma.  It is another example of WPA stone craftsmanship, and is a private residence.

Lone Star: located in a pasture along Highway M, across from Bado Road twelve miles north of Cabool, is Lone Star School.  It is still standing, but is in tough condition.

Murr: from Bado, twelve miles north of Cabool on Highway M, take Murr Road by the Piney Creek bridge west for three miles.  The building has been untouched since the last classes were held.  The blackboards are still in place.

Barnum: also known as “Rackett Ridge” due to the loud church gatherings during its day (many schools also served as community centers and for church services.)   From Bado, twelve miles north of Cabool on Highway M, continue north on Highway M for two more miles to Barnum Drive, go one-half mile to Rackett Ridge, and one-quarter mile to the school.

Alice: located on Highways M/38, Alice School has been restored by the Maxine Allen family, and is in excellent condition.

Number One: located behind the church at Astoria Road and Highway M, Number One School is still standing, but quite abandoned.

Long Valley: located west off  Highway AE onto Long Valley Road, cross Burkhart Creek, go about a mile, and on the left is a private drive to Long Valley School, now a private residence.  Built by the WPA, the beautiful stone work and spider web (the raised grout line added onto the mortar between the rocks) is a stunning example of WPA craftsmanship.

Timber Ridge: located on Highway M between Highway AE and Roubidoux Road is Timber Ridge School.  It is now a private residence.  The original school is a WPA stone building with the spider web raised grout.  The building has an addition and is in excellent condition.

Liberty: located on Turley Road north of Highway M is Liberty School.  It is in dangerously poor condition.

Gladden: located west of Highway 17, turn left on Highway M, left on Gladden Road, and left on the first private road is Gladden School, now a private residence.  Built by the WPA, it is a field stone building and one of the finer examples of WPA rock work.

Craddock: located NW of Licking, take Highway AF off Highway N to Craddock Drive.  Craddock School is now a community center.

Pine Ridge: located 1/2 mile east of Lynch Road between Bucyrus and Ellis Prairie is Pine Ridge School.  It is in good condition and is on private property.

White Rock: located on White Rock Road west of Houston, take Highway ZZ off Highway 17 to German Road, to Norris Road and then White Rock Road.  The concrete block building is the fourth White Rock School building, as the previous three all burned.  Around 1960 classes ceased, as White Rock School consolidated with Houston Schools.  In 2010 the use as a community center ceased, and the property reverted to the original deed.  White Rock School is listed on the 1924 School Districts list as a “High School-3rd Class.”  Also called a “working high school,” students could attend high school for a few years and then attend a high school in town and receive a diploma.

Oak Grove: located west of Simmons on Highway Z is Oak Grove School.  Oak Grove School now serves as a community center and is in excellent condition.

Another year, another Water Quality poster contest for the 5th graders in Texas County.  Kaven, the Soil Technician from SWCD and I gave another round of presentations on the importance of water quality and how it impacts our everyday lives.  We also speak about how important it is to make our impact on the enviroment as little as possible.  This year we added a new activity so the students could see how the decisions they make affect not only themselves but the people and enviroment around them. 

It is definitely fun to see what the 5th graders come up with when we’re in the classroom, but my absoulte favorite part about this project are the posters the students create!  Markers, crayons, colored pencils, scrap book items, cotton balls- these kiddos are creative.  There seems to be that one that sticks in your memory and I’m pretty sure this one I will always remember.  This student not only paid attention to our presentation, but also added her own flare to the poster.  We haven’t picked winners yet, since we’re still receiving them from the schools, but this one is too fantastic to keep quiet about.  In the sun, the cutest catch phrase is written- “Don’t Litter, Make the World Glitter!”  I really think this will catch on!

The Texas County, Missouri, Genealogical & Historical Society has a document labeled “1924 School Districts,” Texas County, Missouri.  The document lists 140 rural school districts, which we call one-room schools.  There are six “High Schools-3^rd Class” listed, which include Raymondville, Ozark, White Rock, Elk Creek, Shady Grove, and Gravel Point.  Plato is then listed as “High School-2^nd Class.”  The list concludes with four “High Schools-1^st Class,” which includes Summersville, Cabool, Licking, and Houston.

As of this writing, twenty-one one-room schools have been identified as still standing.  Seven of those are now homes, one is a church, and four are community centers.  Six of the seven homes are beautiful rock structures built by Work Projects Administration (WPA) Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) crews.

A Driving Tour of One-Room School Houses in Texas County

Oak Hill: starting your tour in Houston, proceed north on Highway 63 to Highway E.  Located on the NE corner of Highway E and Tiffany Drive is Oak Hill School, a beautiful example of WPA stone craftsmanship.  The Oak Hill School is now a private residence, so please respect the owners’ privacy.

Mt. Vernon: proceed north from Raymondville on Highway 137, and just west is of Oscar on Clayton Road is Mt. Vernon School, now a community center.  The building is well maintained, and even has its original bell tower.

Ozark: east of Houston just off Highway 17, by the Ozark Baptist Church, is Ozark School.  It is now a private residence and the owner privacy is appreciated.

Tyrone: located on Highway H between Highways DD and 137 is Tyrone School, now a community center.  It is in good condition.

Pleasant Grove: located on Cross Road just north of Malberg Road east of Highway 63, Pleasant Grove School is now a private residence.  It was built by the WPA, and is another example of fine stone craftsmanship.  (Pictured Below)

Gum Springs: located five miles south of Dunn on Kings Road is Gum Springs School.  It is in rough condition.

Dunn: located on Old Highway 60 at Dunn is Dunn School, renovated in 2001.

Fowler: located at Highway MM and Fowler Drive is Fowler School, now used as a church.

Gravel Point: located at Hillside and Gravel Point Roads is Gravel Point School.  It was built by the WPA and was a “Job High School.”  After the students attended two or three years of high school, they could attend Houston or Mountain Grove and graduate with a high school diploma.  It is another example of WPA stone craftsmanship, and is a private residence.

Lone Star: located in a pasture along Highway M, across from Bado Road, is Lone Star School.  It is still standing, but in tough condition.

Barnun: also know as Rackett Ridge, it is located on Rackett Ridge Drive, just off Barnum Drive, north of Bado.  It is in tough condition.

Alice: located on Highways M/38, Alice School has been restored by Maxine Allen, and is in excellent condition.

Number One: located behind the church at Astoria Road and Highway M, Number One School is still standing, but quite abandoned.

Long Valley: located west off Highway AE onto Long Valley Road, cross Burkhart Creek, go about a mile, and on the left is a private drive to Long Valley School, now a private residence.  Built by the WPA, the beautiful stone work and spider web (the raised grout added to the mortar between the rocks) is a stunning example of WPA craftsmanship.

Timber Ridge: located on Highway M between Highway AE and Roubidoux Road is Timber Ridge School.  It is now a private residence.  The original school is a WPA stone building with the spider web raised grout.  The building is in excellent condition.

Gladden: located west of Highway 17, turn left on Highway M, left on Gladden Road, and left on the first private road is Gladden School, now a private residence.  Built by the WPA, it is a stone building with the spider web raised grout line.  It is one of the finer examples of WPA rock work to be found.

Liberty: located on Turley Road north of Highway M is Liberty School.  It is in dangerously poor condition.

Craddock: located NW of Licking, take Highway AF off Highway N to Craddock Drive.  Craddock School is now a community center.

Pine Ridge: located ½ mile east of Lynch Road between Bucyrus and Ellis Prairie is Pine Ridge School.  It is in good condition and is on private property.

White Rock: located on White Rock Road west of Houston, take Highway ZZ off Highway 17 to German Road, to Norris Road and then White Rock Road.  The concrete block building is the fourth White Rock School building, as the previous three buildings all burned.  Around 1960 classes ceased, as White Rock School consolidated with Houston Schools.  In 2010 the use as a community center ceased, and the property reverted to the original deed.  White Rock School is listed on the 1924 School Districts list as a “High School-3^rd Class.”  Also called a “working high school,” students could attend high school for a few years and then attend a high school in town and receive a diploma.

Oak Grove: located west of Simmons on Highway Z is Oak Grove School.  Oak Grove School became Lone Star School, and now serves as a community center.  It is in excellent condition.

To view photos of all the schools on our online album, click here.

On October 19, 20, and 21, ground breaking ceremonies for the Missouri Fuels for Schools Project were held at Gainesville, Mountain View-Birch Tree Liberty, Eminence, Southern Reynolds County and Perryville schools.

The ceremonies were attended by officials from the USDA Forest Service, Wood Education and Resource Center, the source of the ARRA grant, the Missouri Department of Conservation, the grant recipient, and school officials as grant sub-recipients.  Other officials included Missouri State Representatives Ward Franz and Maynard Wallace, various city mayors and county commissioners. 

Pictures of the ceremonies and press stories are posted at http://missourifuelsforschools.totorcd.org 

Check out our online photo album here!

You can also view photos on our facebook page.

Big Piney Clean upTop of the Ozarks along with the Big Piney Watershed Committee is organizing a community-wide river clean-up/float.  It will be at the Boiling Springs Resort in Licking, MO and all are welcome to attend.  This event is Saturday, July 17th with registration to begin at 8am.  Volunteers are asked to bring their own canoes, but a limited number of canoes will be available if you call and pre-register.  A group campsite will also be available but, please call and pre-register. 

Lunch will be served for all volunteers.  Educational presentations and door prizes after lunch!  (Must be present to win)

Rosanna @ 417-967-2028 ext 5 or rhernandez@totorcd.org

Boiling Springs Resort- 15750 Highway BB
                                                 Licking, MO 65542

Fuels for Schools Report

Peter Maki, Coordinator of the Missouri Fuels for Schools project, works from the Top of the Ozarks RC&D office.  “Missouri is very fortunate that John Tuttle of MDC was ready with a grant proposal when the stimulus program became available.  With this biomass boiler technology, which has been in use for 40 years in Scandinavia, and is in many wood processing facilities across the country, we have the ability to use the cheapest fuel available to us and get away from more expensive fossil fuels.  It is a bonus that we will create local jobs while improving our forests using a carbon neutral fuel, wood.  Harvested sustainably, we have supply of wood fuel that will last forever.”

Maki is available to make presentations about wood fueled energy systems to schools and other interested groups throughout Missouri.  He can be reached at Top of the Ozarks RC&D office, 417-967-2028, ext. 123.

You can download the report of recent activities with the Fuels for Schools discussed in an earlier blog post entitled: Seven Missouri Schools get Fuels for Schools Grants