Outstanding Tree Farmers –2002

ATFS named Ron and Barbara Bentz of Scio, Ore. as the 2002 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year at the National Tree Farmer Convention in Asheville, NC.

Their quest to create a healthy forest ecosystem began in 1964.  To provide needed income, the Bentz’s started a private fishing club after creating and stocking five lakes with trout.  There are three major creeks and numerous springs and streams running through the property.  Bentz also included a fish hatchery that is now the second oldest private hatchery in Oregon, producing nearly 60,000 rainbow trout annually.

In 1984, the Bentz family began planting between 5,000 and 20,000 seedlings a year.  They have converted 425 acres back to timber production, planting over 20,000 seedlings, including more than 40,000 in the last five years.

Blue Den Ranch is also home to an early life pioneer museum of farm machinery, tools and memorabilia, a small sawmill, orchards, beehives and abundant wildlife habitat.  An active effort to repopulate their forest with native birds has produced a thriving wild turkey population.  The lakes and streams draw minks, otters, bald eagles, blue heron, kingfishers, osprey and mergansers.  Canadian geese, mallards, wood ducks and other seasonal birds make the lakes and forests their winter nesting grounds for hatching and raising their young.

 “By promoting good forestry and demonstrating what is possible with active management, we can encourage other landowners to do the same, and prove the value of small woodland ownerships to the public,” said Ron Bentz.

Shortly after the convention, Ron suffered a fatal heart attack at his home in Oregon.  Almost 40 years ago, Ron and Barbara Bentz began with a cutover stump ranch.  Today the 600-acre thriving forestland, Blue Den Ranch, is managed for wood, water, wildlife and recreation.  Ron’s visions for his land will continue through the efforts of his family as three generations of the Bentzes are actively involved with the Tree Farm operations and management.