A group of local forest owners join together to form a Cooperative
Forest owners have complete control and ownership of the entire operation
The cooperative may join the Alliance of Sustainable Woods Cooperatives
Attain marketing advantages, economies of scale, and group buying power
Gain assistance in all aspects of planning development, and operation
The coop hires a forester/ecologist, who develops sustainable management plans
The coop hires professional, trained logging crews to serve on a long-term basis
The owner-forester-ecologist-logger team works together year after year

Sustainable harvests produce regular income
The woods is developed into a fully-stocked forest of high-quality timber
The annual growth is regularly harvested, maintaining the forest forever
Minimum impact logging protects the future productivity of the forest
Horse logging and other harvesting options allow single tree selection
Small woodlots can be managed efficiently through the value-added cooperative

SFCs do not sell timber - instead sell value-added manufactured products
The problems, uncertainty, and inequities of selling trees and logs is eliminated
No one is making a commission or profit from the timber harvest - but the owner
Trees are fully used and each piece of wood is sold in its highest value form  Factory outlet stores will sell certified retail products direct to consumers
Production costs are paid, then the owner receives the maximum possible profit

Wood is easy to process on a local scale
Small scale businesses can produce very high quality lumber products
Members can participate in their operations as much as they wish
Members can have their own wood manufactured at cost for personal use
Value-added processing and direct sales will create maximum profit
Cooperatives will boost the local economy and create many new jobs

Regular field days and newsletters will share practical, business information
Forest owners will share their experience, skills, and knowledge
Instructors will demonstrate state of the art forestry and ecology methods
People can see sustainable forestry operations - before, during, and after a project

Cooperative work projects can assist members implement management programs
Volunteer groups can help members with prescribed burns and other activities
Cooperative owned equipment and tools will be available for members:
  saws, chippers, winches, fire equipment, etc.

Natural resource management will be possible on a landscape basis
Rare ecosystems will be identified, restored, and protected
Invasive species that threaten biodiversity will be managed appropriately
Forest practices that encourage natural regeneration will be implemented

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