Greg Cook Logging Named Minnesota SFI Logger of the Year

The Minnesota Sustainable Forestry Initiative(r) Implementation Committee (SIC) named Greg Cook Logging as the 2015 Logger of the Year. The award was given by Roger Johnson, SIC chair and forester with Molpus Timberlands on April 14, during the Minnesota Logger Education Program Conference held in Tower, Minnesota.

Being selected to receive the Logger of the Year Award in Minnesota may occur only once. However, operating as the Logger of the Year is a full-time job and a lifetime commitment. Greg Cook Logging has accomplished both.

"Greg Cook Logging exemplifies the significant and unique contribution the state's timber harvesters provide Minnesota's economy, wildlife and healthy forests" said Tim O'Hara, coordinator of the Duluth-based Minnesota SIC and vice president of forest policy with Minnesota Forest Industries.

Greg Cook started the logging business in the 1970s in the Bigfork area. In 2006, his son, Clinton, purchased the business from his father. Minnesota's woods and timber harvesting were not unfamiliar ground to Clinton; he had worked alongside his dad since he was in the eighth grade. 

The company has grown with Clinton; both the company and Clinton are known for being hard-working, honest, and motivated to continually improve. Clinton is the first to admit that behind a great logging company is an outstanding crew. His wife, Tracy, manages the office operations along with forester Carl Bleiler and the company's long-time equipment operators: Jason Roach, Fred Pitzen, and Jason Tower to name just a few.

"The Minnesota SFI Logger of the Year Award should be defined by the characteristics of honesty, hard-work and motivation to continually improve," Damon Polus, Procurement Forester with Sappi Fine Paper wrote on his nomination form. "Greg Cook Logging fits that definition perfectly."

The company's professionalism does not begin and end in the woods. Greg Cook Logging has been a member of the Minnesota Logger Education Program since the program's beginnings in 1997. Showing its commitment to safety and high standards, 25 to 30 of the company's employees annually attend training both to ensure safety on the job and high-quality woods work. The company has achieved recognition as Minnesota Master Loggers since 1996.

Nominations for the 2015 honor came from not only the logging community, but from private landowners and professional consulting foresters, proving that Greg Cook Logging has conducted its operations "over and above" the expectations and standards of peers in the profession. A Zim, Minnesota private landowner lauded the company on its sensitivity to the recreational goals he had for his woodland.

Minnesota Consulting Forester Steven Ludwig noted Greg Cook Logging's special acknowledgment of potential erosion issues and the aesthetics of the harvest areas he works in. Ludwig also noted the company's special attention to the myriad of markets available for the variety of forest products harvested from a private woodland located south of Akeley, including soft- and hardwood sawmills, pallet and paper mills, posts, and firewood. Over 10 different locations received wood from the harvest. 

Greg Cook Logging's commitment to sustainable forestry and high ethics does not end in the woods. Clinton has served on the board of directors of the Minnesota Timber Producers Association, as well as on its Transportation and Membership committees.

"Greg Cook Logging represents perfectly the commitment to responsible forestry that is required to achieve logger of the year. The team's significant contributions to a sustainable community, conservation, logger training and market access are what make them leaders," said Kathy Abusow, SFI President and CEO of SFI Inc.

The Minnesota SIC includes representatives from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, forest companies, the University of Minnesota, family forest owners, the Minnesota Logger Education Program, Minnesota Timber Producers Association, Minnesota Tree Farm Program, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and county land departments certified to the SFI Standard.