About
Recognition
Every enrolled Tree Farmer is recognized for their commitment to forest stewardship with the Certified Family Forest or Certified Tree Farm sign. In addition, state Tree Farm programs give awards to honor landowners and conservation professionals. These usually include Tree Farmer or Forest Landowner of the Year but certain states also give awards like Logger of the Year and Conservation Educator of the Year. State programs are eligible to nominate landowners and volunteers for a national awards program offered annually by ATFS.
Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year
State Outstanding Tree Farmers may be nominated by their state program committees to be considered as finalists for the Regional Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year award. Two nominees are selected from four regions - West, Midwest-North Central, Northeast, and Southeast - to be evaluated by an independent sub-committee made up of Tree Farm leaders and past finalists. Regional awardees are typically announced in the fall, at which point they are automatically considered for the National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year (NOTFY) award. All awardees are recognized at AFF's National Leadership Conference the following year, with expenses paid for the NOTFY to attend in-person to receive their award.
Want to nominate a Tree Farmer for state recognition? Contact your state Tree Farm program!
Outstanding Inspector
Foresters and conservation professionals who are trained to enroll landowners in the Tree Farm program and demonstrate exemplary commitments to service, education, and advocacy for family forest owners, are recognized annually by state programs. Similar to the Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year program, state winners may go on to be considered for Regional and National recognition. All Regional finalists attend the American Forest Foundation's National Leadership Conference, where each is celebrated and the National Outstanding Inspector is announced.
Want to nominate an inspector for state recognition? Contact your state Tree Farm program!
National Leadership Award
Management of the American Tree Farm System is a shared responsibility of many volunteers and partners. The National Leadership Award (NLA) is designed to recognize exemplary service to the smooth operation of the Tree Farm system, leadership in adapting the program to better serve the needs of its participants, and consistently representing the values of shared learning and peer-to-peer support. Candidates for the NLA may be nominated by state programs or any volunteer in the Tree Farm program who sees service worthy of national recognition.
Know someone who should be considered for a national leadership award? Contact your state Tree Farm program.
