BRAYMER, Mo. – Jim Ball says his motivation to plant trees comes from his love for the outdoors developed while growing up hunting, fishing, hiking and camping in Braymer, Mo.

Ball put that outdoor experience to use during Army training in places like Panama, where he was designated a jungle expert, followed by a yearlong tour in Vietnam.

His hunting experience extends to 12 states, including Alaska, two Canadian provinces, Mexico and Russia. In addition to small game, he has hunted most of the North American big game.

In 1969, Ball began his career in the petrochemical business and met his future wife, Schatzi. Through his career, Ball lived in several states but ultimately settled in Kansas City, Mo., with his wife and family. His childhood memories of Braymer must have held special memories: He and his father purchased the first 80 acres of timber and pasture for hunting there. They have since increased the acreage to 850.

“For a long time, I wished the land had better wildlife habitat,” Ball said.  So, in 1986, he purchased an adjacent tract, enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and planted his first 100 acres in native warm-season grass and later with forbs.

Tree planting began in 1991. The first planting was 28 acres enrolled in CRP. Over the years, they have planted 160,000 trees on 250 acres, much of it in CRP. A variety of oaks were planted on the upland ground, but eastern black walnut was planted on the better sites. To increase diversity, they mixed in other species. Nearly all these trees came from the George O. White State Forest Nursery near Licking.

Ball has managed his timber with financial help from federal and state programs and technical advice from agencies, including the Missouri Department of Conservation and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Ball pruned his trees as they grew and conducted timber stand improvement, which includes killing unwanted trees to favor desirable specimens and species.

Ball belongs to the Walnut Council and the Missouri Tree Farm System, which have connected him with like-minded landowners and experts at field days and educational events. He has hosted several events on his farm and written and lectured on how-to subjects. His dedication earned him the State Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year in 2017 and 2023. In 2018, he was the Regional Outstanding Tree Farmer for the 10-state north-central region.

Other conservation improvements include building a 20-acre lake and several smaller ponds for erosion control and enhanced fish habitat. The latter includes 2 miles of riparian buffers planted to trees. He has also installed several wildlife habitat projects, including 40 acres of monarch butterfly habitat.

Ball is most proud of sharing the outdoor experience with family and friends, converting worn out farm ground to conservation practices, and witnessing how timber stand improvement can help the appearance and financial capability of a forest.

“Our goal is providing an enduring place for our future generations and instilling in them the love of the outdoors my wife and I have,” Ball said. “Our family loves the ranch and want to keep it in the family.”

The Balls will be recognized for their work at the Woodland Owners Conference, Oct. 11-12 in Columbia. Highlights include tours of a Missouri Century Farm, a sawmill and a cooperage. A Friday evening dinner will include an awards ceremony and a presentation by U.S. Forest Service wildlife biologist Frank Thompson on “Our Songbirds Need Managed Forests.” Learn more at https://forestandwoodland.org/events.

Photo

https://extension.missouri.edu/sites/default/files/legacy_media/wysiwyg/News/photos/20240920-ball-1.jpg

Jim and Schatzi Ball are the 2024 Missouri Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. In addition to managing their oak and walnut plantations for future wood products, they have planted native flowers for pollinator habitat and installed many other water-quality and wildlife-friendly practices on their farm.