By Larry Mauter
For The New Era
Linn County Small Woodlands Association is moving ahead with its 26th annual seedling sale.
The Board of Directors met on Dec. 2 and agreed to carry on with the event.
The sale is set for Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Linn County Expo Center. Proceeds from the sales fund university and 4-H scholarships for Linn County students.
One component of the fundraiser – forestry information booths and woodworkers’ market place – will not be part of the event this year because of COVID.
Modifications such as drive-by pick ups for pre-orders, additional spacing for sales, and staffing volunteers in family groups are also part of the plan.
Seedling sale Chairperson Bonnie Marshall told directors that the sale will follow COVID restrictions in place in February.
“The hardest part is not knowing what the rules will be at that time,” Marshall said.
“We don’t know yet what restrictions will be in place for our Saturday seedling sale, so we strongly encourage everyone to pre-order early,” Marshall said.
Last year there were 203 pre-orders and 135 sales on Saturday, she reported. The sale will be held from 8 a.m. until noon or while supplies last at the Santiam Building at the Expo Center. Same-day sales can be purchased with cash or checks. Pre-paid orders will be packed in sawdust and ready for pickup between 8 and 11 a.m.
“We have a great selection of bare root and plug seedlings this year, most of them natives. We are offering conifers, deciduous trees and shrubs, evergreen shrubs, and several native wildflowers,” added Marshall.
Proceeds from the seedling sale will continue to fund the chapter’s forestry-related college scholarships, 4-H scholarships and other programs that promote forest and natural resource education.
In 2020 LCSWA awarded $7,600 to outstanding college scholars and 4-H students.
The Local Woods Fair, which has been held in conjunction with the seedling sale, is expected to return as part of the 2022 seedling sale. The pre-order deadline is Jan. 23. Orders should be mailed with the buyer’s check to the address on the order form.
An information packet will also be available soon at linncountyswa.org.