2026 KFA Field Day at Woodland Ranch

By: Lexi Studebaker, KFS/KFA Communications Apprentice

While we continue in the heat of summer and crops actively growing the Fall Forestry Field Day at Woodland Ranch in North Central Kansas is not far away. On October 22nd the Kansas Forestry Association and the Kansas Forest Service will have our annual gathering, where we learn from experts in Forestry management, wildlife experts, industry leaders and fellow landowners, foresters and neighbors how to manage and care for our forests for today and future generations.

North Central Kansas is rich with history and places to visit, learn and enjoy. The White Rock Creek, the largest tributary of the Republican River just three miles downstream, serves as the Western boundary of Woodland Ranch. History of the Ranch includes the Pawnee Indian site and Museum with the original Ranch owners donating the land to the State of Kansas. (Pawnee Indian Museum staff have agreed to open for a visit after the Field Day concludes). Lovewell State Park is five miles to the West providing excellent recreational opportunities for those in Kansas and Nebraska. Fifteen miles to the South of the Ranch is Jamestown State Wildlife area and has over 5000 acres of wetlands, uplands and a large and diverse area for recreation year-round.

Local attractions also include the High Banks Speedway in Belleville with the High Banks Hall of Fame National Midget Auto Racing Museum. Concordia KS is the home of the Orphan Train Museum and the Sculptured Brick Art wall downtown. And while in Courtland locals places to add to the list to visit are the Depot Market, a specialty produce grower, Irrigation Ales, a micro brewer, Anteques for a great meal. Heartland Gamebirds serves hunters from all across the nation.

The location of the Fall Forestry Field Day this year, known historically for the forested area of the farm was called various names over the years, Woodland Place, Woodland Ranch and others. Woodland Ranch was originally founded as Woodland Place Stock Farm by George and Elizabeth Johnson, partners with Jolynn Elliott Pierce’s great grandparents, and is listed on the National Historic Register with the original name. One longtime member of the community who hunted in the woods over the years, reports seeing the Black Walnut trees planted in a grid, indicating they were planted by early settlers many years before. The legacy forest includes stands of Burr Oak and Black Walnuts and a variety of other species.

Throughout the day, there will be sessions on Oak Forest Management, Habitat Management for Deer and Turkey, bird identification, Streambank Stabilization, Young Tree Plantation Management, and a Sawmill and Post-peeler Demonstration, all provided by respected professionals in each field. Besides the educational content of this year’s field day, there will also be lots of fun networking opportunities available, allowing you to connect and talk to your fellow tree enthusiasts.

These opportunities are seen throughout the day, such as coffee and donuts before the event, a catered lunch, a homemade ice cream social, and more! There will also be a live auction for the items seen below and many others over lunch, as well as a raffle for a laser-cut handsaw piece.

Our volunteers are what keep us going and make us great! Volunteer hours in our Water Quality Advocate Program are equivalent to more than $26K and we are still going.