Ronald A Rathfon

Forestry and Natural Resources

Regional Extension Forester SIPAC

Phone

812.678.5049

Fax

812.678.5049

Address

11367 E. Purdue Farm Road
Dubois, IN 47527

Email

ronr@purdue.edu

Areas of Specialization - Forest Biology

Facilities/Properties - Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center (SIPAC)

Purdue Extension - FNR Extension

Mr. Ron Rathfon serves as Purdue University’s extension forester in southwest Indiana. His office is located at the Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center (SIPAC) in Dubois County. His time is split between conducting applied forestry research and forestry outreach (extension) activities directed to private landowners, professional foresters and other natural resource professionals, youth groups, educators, and the public. In addition, he manages over 600 acres of departmental forest at SIPAC where much of his research is conducted.

He has a Master of Science (MS 1990) in Forestry from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, a Bachelor of Science (BS 1987) in Forest Management from University of Idaho, and an Associate of Science (AS 1984) in Forest Technology from The Pennsylvania State University. He has served as a Purdue extension forester since 1992.

Awards & Honors

(2012) 2011 President's Award. Southern Indiana Cooperative Weed Management Area.

(2012) Fellow. Society of American Foresters.

(2011) 26th Annual Eastern Region Honor Awards. USDA Forest Service.

Selected Publications

Groninger, J., Jacobs, D. F., Burger, J. A., Angel, P. N., & Zipper, C. E. (2018). Tree and shrub species selection for mine reclamation in the Midwest region of USA. Journal of Environmental Solutions for Oil, Gas, and Mining, 4(1), 31-52. doi:10.3992/2377-3545-4.1.31

RATHFON, R. (2018). Invasive species watch – mile-a-minute vine. Woodland Steward Intsitute, 27(1), 4-5.

Frank, G. S., Rathfon, R., & Saunders, M. R. (2018). Ten-year responses of underplanted northern red oak to silvicultural treatments, herbivore exclusion, and fertilization. Forests, 2018(9), 15. doi:10.3390/f9090571

Jacobs, D., & Farlee, L. (2009). Planting Forest Trees and Shrubs in Indiana. (FNR-IDNR-36), 20. Retrieved from http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-IDNR-36.pdf

Saunders, M., & Stump, D. (2009). Forest Improvement Handbook. (FNR-IDNR-414), 28. Retrieved from http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-IDNR-414.pdf

Rathfon, R., Lichti, N., & Swihart, R. (2008). Disking and Mid- and Understory Removal Following an Above-Average Acorn Crop in Three Mature Oak Forests in Southern Indiana. Proceedings of the 16th Central Hardwood Forest Conference, 59-69.

Jacobs, D., Rathfon, R., Davis, A., & Carlson, D. (2005). Stocktype and Harvest Gap Size Influence Northern Red Oak Regeneration Success.

Rathfon, R. (2005). Asian bush honeysuckles: their history, biology, ecology, and control. 177. Retrieved from http://www.ncwss.org/

Rathfon, R., Fillmore, S., & Groninger, J. (2005). STATUS OF REFORESTED MINE SITES IN SOUTHWESTERN INDIANA RECLAIMED FROM 1988 TO 1995. 945-962.