Starker Forests

Starker Forests, Inc., annual meeting 1982. The meeting took place in the living room of the house that is now home to the business. The fireplace remains as part of the board room today. The rock to build it came from a, now inactive, rock pit on our Vonsild Tree Farm.

Taking what they learned from Cafferata Consultants and putting it into practice, DTL Logging creates a bio-den from leftover woody material to provide habitats for a wide range of species, including invertebrates, small mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles. This is a vital ecosystem resource easily provided for our smaller forest inhabitants.

Preparing for a busy fire season, we gathered with our contractors yesterday for the annual fire training meeting. Thank you to representatives from Department of Forestry, OSHA and Cafferata Consulting who spent time sharing their expertise. This summer is going to be very dry, please recreate responsibly and report if you see anything amiss.

It's more fun to hike with a friend in the forest.

Bond, T.J. and Barte Starker with Marys Peak in the background. Photo taken circa 1981, T.J. would have been 91 years old.

The OSU Research Forests staff has asked Starker Forests to close the upper Word to Your Mother trail and the southern portion of the Southridget trail on our Alder Creek Tree Farm as they begin their Pinchot harvest, adjacent to Starker Forests lands.

The closure is in effect beginning June 2, 2026, and will last until the harvest is complete.

More information about OSU Research Forests operations can be found here, https://cf.forestry.oregonstate.edu/management-activities/harvest-schedule.

Other routes are available and open for recreation. This is not a harvest or haul on Starker lands, only a trail closure for public safety.

Come celebrate 75 years of the Benton County Historical Society from noon to 6 p.m. today at the Philomath Museum. This is a full day of 1950s-inspired fun: live music from Big Fir, food and drinks from Groovy Blendz, Sabor, Mud Oven Pizza, Bitty Boo’s Burgers & More, and Cardwell Hill Cellars, plus dessert by Elena Chavarria.

The celebration will also feature a vintage car show, lawn games, kids activities, and more. Stop by our table and check out Starker Forests' 95 year timeline and pick up forest information and fun activities for the children.

Bentley shows off his Starker Forests 90th anniversary bandana. It's forest safety to adorn your dog with bright colors so they are highly visible to hunters and cyclists.

Barte Starker with his twin daughters, Sally and Wendy, in 1981. Sally and Wendy are fourth-generation owners of Starker Forests with their cousin, Anna.

Join Starker Forests and many other community organizations 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Peavy Arboretum for Get Outdoors Day. This bilingual, free family event is hosted by OSU Research Forests, Benton County Health Department, and OSU Extension.

Parking and shuttle service is available at Crescent Valley High School.