Whitefish Creek Enterprises Named 2025 Minnesota Logger of the Year
SIC
Whitefish Creek Enterprises Named 2025 Minnesota Logger of the Year
Whitefish Creek Enterprises, Inc. of Baudette has been named the 2025 Minnesota Logger of the Year by the Minnesota Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) Implementation Committee (MN SIC).
The award was presented to Brady Hasbargen at the Minnesota Logger Education Program (MLEP) conference held in Bemidji in April.
The Logger of the Year Award recognizes outstanding independent logging contractor performance with the purpose of honoring Minnesota’s competent professional independent logging contractors. The formal nomination clearly demonstrates that Whitefish Creek Enterprises is recognized by peers for professionalism, commitment to sustainable forestry, using best business management practices, trade organization involvement, fostering excellent landowner and forester relationships, and for their exceptional community outreach activities.
“Whitefish Creek is a shining example of outstanding forest management practices in our state,” said MN SIC program coordinator Rick Horton. “The company constantly demonstrates excellence in timber harvesting, and is also actively engaged in their local community, through the Minnesota Timber Producers Association and their efforts in raising money for Log A Load for Kids. I’m proud to have Whitefish Creek represent our state as our Logger of the Year.”
Whitefish Creek is owned by Margaret Hasbargen and her five sons, Scott, Keith, Charlie, Mark, and Doug. Brady Hasbargen represents the next generation and has been active in the Minnesota Logger Education Program, serving a term as board chair. Brady also serves on the TPA Executive Committee as 1st Vice President.
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® is a forest sustainability certification organization operating in the U.S. and Canada that works across four pillars: standards, conservation, community, and education. With third-party forest certification, an independent organization like SFI develops standards of good forest management, and independent auditors ensure that forest operations comply with those standards. SFI has certified more than 370 million acres to its standard in the United States and Canada. Minnesota has the second highest certified forest land base in North America.
Whitefish Creek will now be entered into the competition for the Forest Resources Association Regional Outstanding Logger of the Year, and if successful will also compete for the national award. Many past winners have earned both of these distinctions, proving that Minnesota loggers are known nationwide for their professionalism and dedication to sustainable forestry.
The Minnesota SIC includes representatives from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Sappi, PotlatchDeltic, West Fraser, UPM-Blandin, Packaging Corporation of America, Louisiana Pacific Corporation, The Conservation Fund, Molpus Woodlands Group, SFI-certified county land departments, the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Logger Education Program, Minnesota Tree Farm Program, Society of American Foresters, and the Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society.
Brady Hasbargen accepts the Minnesota Logger of the Year award on behalf of Whitefish Creek Enterprises from SFI Minnesota SIC Coordinator Rick Horton.