It's Inspection Season! March 2026 Updates from Vermont Tree Farm Program
March 2026 Vermont Tree Farm Program Updates - It's Inspection Season!
2026 Required Inspections
Eighteen Vermont Tree Farms were randomly selected for required inspections to meet the qualifications for certification of the American Tree Farm System. As of this date, notifications have been sent out to Tree Farmers. Inspecting Foresters should be contacted by the end of this week. Each Tree Farm selected must have a field inspection completed by a certified Tree Farm Inspector, review all of the management plan documents, including maps, management activity schedule, and other supporting documents. Certifying inspectors are eligible for 2 Category 3 continuing education credits for their efforts. ATFS also provides $100 to Vermont Tree Farm Committee, for every Tree Farm inspection completed, which is then passed on to the inspector. Inspections are a great opportunity for foresters to reconnect with landowners, share ideas and keep track of the latest happenings on the land!
Optional Tree Farm Inspections
Although we don’t say much about it, we also encourage our Tree Farm Inspectors to complete “optional” inspections on every Tree Farm once every 5 years to reflect the most current Tree Farm Standards. As you are working on updates, and been on the Tree Farm recently, it is a great time to complete those inspections. Please let Kathy Beland know you need an 021 inspection form to fill out! Vermont Tree Farm also offers a $100 stipend to inspectors for completing the inspection and are also eligible for 2 Category 3 continuing education credits.
Tree Farm Inspector Training
Stay tuned for an upcoming Tree Farm Inspector Training the last week in April! There are many foresters in Vermont who are not yet certified, or possibly have let their certification lapse. This in person training is recommended for foresters new to Tree Farm, however it is also available online on the ATFS database site. For either opportunity, please contact Kathy Beland at vermonttreefarm@vermontwoodlands.org if you are interested.