Those of you with your woodland in MFL (or knowledgeable of it)..
Is it worth becoming Certified? I am in MFL, but not the Certified component of it. I went to a forestry demo tonight & the speaker said Certified MFL is popular.

I've heard people who are Certified have a better market for their wood, though I don't know of anyone that can vouch for that from personal experience.

I believe the Certification affords limited market opportunities where sustainable managed stands and ethically sourced timber practices are preferred and/or required by the buyer. I have never run into that- it's usually just based on the quality of the timber and price dictated by supply and demand. I'd ask what additional market opportunities exist if you go that route.

Our issue is the next cut we have scheduled is only about 6 acres of thinning (smaller, gnarly stuff and ironwoods). There's no one that will bid a job that small, so we will end up doing it ourselves. Some will be sold as firewood, a few select pieces will be split into bow staves and sold.

Maybe look for a non-mechanized logger.

Have you looked into the Certified program requirements? Last I saw them they looked pretty easy to follow, but I wasn't top invested so I didn't look too close. You might already be doing all the things it requires and just have to sign the paperwork.

I've looked into Certified a little bit. I haven't decided yet if it's worth it.

A lot State Tree Farm programs have been certified with the American Tree Farm program, Costs a lot of man hours to maintain certification, and have 3rd parties inspecting woods. Most of the 3rd parties (bean counters) don't spend much time in the woods. They just look at the Standards and see if the audited land owners are adhering to the standards. So several States have gone to a recognition program with the American Tree Farm program.

The only Companies that are paying premiums for certified lumber are stave companies that make oak barrels out of white oak for distilleries. Most of those companies are in the south.

Bottom line - Check with you State Foresters and ask.

There is money to be made working in your woods with EQIP and CSP programs. The NRCS in you State can give you information on those programs.

Large companies are approaching landowners with woods offering to pay for carbon credits, be careful with those programs