By Larry Mauter
LCSWA member
When the Linn County Small Woodlands Association board meets March 6, local history will be made.
A majority of the nine board members will be women — a first for the organization.
Board members are President Mike Barsotti, Vice President Jim Merzenich, Treasurer Shirley Holmberg, Secretary Christy Tye, directors Jim Cota, Bonnie Marshall, Tim Otis (past president), Lauren Parks and Lina Tucker.
That fact was cemented at the Jan. 18 annual members meeting as Merzenich was elected to the board. About 75 people attended the gathering at the Z Hall in Scio. This year’s gathering was moved up to noon to avoid night-time driving.
Incoming President Merzenich was also elected for three-year term, as was Barsotti, current board president.
Board business was a slice of the meeting. It also featured a noon potluck dinner and speakers from federal, state and local agencies providing tips about services and potential funding help.
4-H scholars showcased their forestry projects and received scholarship money earned from the annual LCSWA seedling sale.
Oregon State University student Joseph Passenant also spoke, thanking members for their support with OSU tuition.
Taking over the scholarship committee as co-chairs will be Bonnie Marshall and Christy Tye.
LCSWA’s annual seedling sale proceeds have paid for dozens of college scholarships through the years to “grow our new foresters,” said Tye.
Tye will also be assuming the role of LCSWA treasurer this year.
Another board member, Lauren Parks, will serve as board secretary and membership chair. OSWA President Rick Zenn said at the meeting that Parks will also serve on the statewide membership committee.
“OSWA is really a grass roots organization,” said Zenn, with about 1,600 families as members. “We don’t always agree, but we work together,” he said.
Zenn also thanked the Linn chapter for financial and organizational efforts in hosting the 2024 statewide OSWA convention.
Steve and Katie Kohl — 2024 Linn County Tree farmers of the year — were recognized with a video tour of their tree farm. The Kohls also received LCSWA jackets and a colorful Broom Magic broom.
Merzenich — the incoming chapter president — reviewed upcoming activities such as tree-farm tours and workshops.
A Woodlands Information Night will be held March 5 in Corvallis and likely a March tree farm tour near Lebanon, he said.