Mid America Council of the Boy Scouts of America was one of the largest land holders in the area with 1784 acres. Average size of acquisitions through June of 1996 was 150 acres and they ranged from 3 to 1037 acres. The area was characterized by a slowing economy with declining school enrollment and loss of services. A hope for benefit of the state forest was a revitalization of surrounding communities. Early on, there was indication that this was indeed happening.
Land is acquired only from willing sellers.
An average of 800 acres has been purchased each year from 1987 through 1998. In September 1989, the city of Pisgah donated a 3 acre lot to be used as the site of the forest headquarters. A visitors center was completed in October 1998. The Loess Hills of western Iowa were formed from 20,000 to 10,000 years ago of finely ground windblown silt from the glacial deposits. As the Pleistocene glaciers melted, the Missouri Valley became a major channel for tremendous amounts of water.