ATFS Announces 2013 Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year

WASHINGTON (May 21, 2013)—The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation, has announced the 2013 Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year, an annual sustainable forestry honor sponsored by STIHL, Inc.

The 2013 Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year, are:

• Joe Arington of Wisconsin, North Central Regional Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year;
• Bill and Joan Arsenault of Oregon; Western Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year;
• John William Bembry of Georgia, Southern Regional Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year;
• Allen R. Yale, Jr. of Vermont, North East Regional Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year.

Every year, ATFS inspecting foresters and state committees nominate certified Tree Farmers whose conservation efforts, outreach efforts to their community, and advocacy for sustainable forest management exceed expectations.

The regional awardees were chosen after Tree Farm site visits by Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year inspecting forester judges. The National Tree Farmer of the Year, announced at July’s National Tree Farmer Convention in Minneapolis, is chosen from among these regional honorees, who will all attend this year’s convention and participate in a panel discussion about their sustainable forestry work.

The Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year awards are generously sponsored by STIHL, Inc., manufacturer of the number one selling brand of handheld outdoor power equipment in America. STIHL is proud to support the accomplishments of hard-working Tree Farmers from across the country. The four regional awardees will each receive a $500 Gift Certificate from STIHL and travel assistance to the National Tree Farmer Convention.

Contact: Amanda Cooke, Media & Marketing Manager, acooke@forestfoundation.org or
202-463-2731.

The American Tree Farm System® is a network of 82,000 family forest owners sustainably managing 24 million acres of forestland. It is the largest and oldest sustainable woodland system in the United States, internationally recognized, meeting strict third-party certification standards. The American Tree Farm System® is a program of the American Forest Foundation. Learn more at www.treefarmsystem.org/awards-recognition.

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