Education: 
Members of the OWC, like many woodland owners, want to do the best job they can in managing their land to meet their objectives, and to do so in an efficient and profitable manner.  They usually find they need more information about management options, products they can sell, and other aspects of managing a natural resource business.  They also find that information about their land; its vegetation, soils, wildlife, and other natural biologic and physical features is important in making management decisions.  The OWC recognizes the need for all this information. It offers educational opportunities and partners with other organizations to meet this need.

Services: 
Many OWC members have need for professional and technical services beyond their own knowledge.  The OWC has contracted with a professional forester and has plans to contract with additional forest professionals including engineers, biologists, and others, as needed, to assist members.  The contracted professionals have experience and knowledge to “fill the gap” for members, by providing services such as preparing management plans, assisting with riparian restoration, cruising timber, administering forest product sales, marketing products, and more.

Some Cooperative members are non-resident; they live a considerable distance from their property.  These owners find it difficult to monitor and protect their property in a timely manner.  The Cooperative provides a “woodland watch” service for non-resident’s properties in which regular visits by a qualified woodland manager are conducted and reports made back to the owner.

Project Assistance: 
Some members may prefer to have the OWC handle their management as a contracted service, either in part or in total.  In this case, the OWC, using the services of contracted professionals and knowledgeable members of the OWC, can perform the needed management activity.  On a timber sale, for example, the timber will be cruised to the member’s management plan standards, the products will be designated, marketing arrangements will be negotiated (or a bid process used), contracts between the member and the purchaser arranged, and the sale administered to ensure the job is done correctly, and the owner’s interests are protected.  Other management activities, such as reforestation and vegetation control, can be handled in a similar manner.

Intergenerational Continuity:
It takes at least two generations to grow a crop of timber and get it ready to harvest and market.  With this in mind, one must always consider the next generation and their thoughts and ideas.  By working closely with OWC professionals, the intergenerational bridge can be made more smoothly.  This can be especially helpful if the next generation landowner is not a hands-on individual or does not live locally.

Market Leveraging:
Cooperatives are well positioned to concentrate on small landowner’s products.  By bringing together many small amounts of products from many landowner sources the competitive advantage of mass can be achieved.  This use of “cooperative-concentration” can and usually does give a marketing edge and price command.