Dr. John Bembry: Southeast Regional Tree Farmer of the Year
Near Hawkinsville, Georgia, from the banks of the Ocmulgee River and up Limestone Creek, is Bembry’s Mill, a family Tree Farm that its owner, veterinarian Dr. John Bembry, describes as “a family heirloom.” It is the place where Bembry grew up and learned to love the land and the place where several generations of Bembrys have lived since it was purchased in 1807 by his ancestor, who was a veteran of the Revolutionary War. The responsibility of caring for land with such a history is not lost on Bembry.
The 2,100 acres of Bembry’s Mill have been certified by ATFS since 1985. Bembry got engaged in the Tree Farm program through the Georgia Forestry Commission in the early 1980s. “I knew I couldn’t manage the farm in agriculture and practice veterinary medicine, so I started exploring the possibility of forestry,” he says. “I hired a forester to do an inventory and learned about the ATFS from him. The four tenets of the ATFS— water, wildlife, wood, and recreation—were what I believed in. It all came together very naturally.”
Today, Bembry manages much of his woodland for the longleaf pine that once covered most of the southeastern coastal plain. “We’ve been working hard to re-establish longleaf on the farm, and it’s been very gratifying to see it come back,” Bembry says. The farm also is home to abundant wildlife, including a large population of wild turkey, white-tailed deer, bobwhite quail, gopher tortoise and other species.
His sister, with whom he shares ownership of 1,500 acres, and his two sons, both of whom live in Atlanta, “ are very much engaged with the farm,” says Dr. Bembry, who has placed the two main sections of Bembry’s Mill in family limited partnerships for them and future generations.
I OWN AND INSURANCE AGENCY IN NEARBY McRAE GA AND I HAVE BEEN
LOOKING AT THIS BEAUTIFUL LAKE NEART THE HIGHWAY JUST OUT OF HAWKINSVILLE GA
TOWARDS EASTMAN GA FOR SEVERL YEARS THE SIGN SAYS PUBL;IC INVITED I WOULD LKE VERY MUCH TO ,GO FISHING IN THIS
BEAUTIFUL LAKE I WOULD NOT GO WITHOLUT PERMISSION AND WOULD ONLY TAKE ONE FRIEND WITH ME AND WOULD TAKE VERY GOOD OF THE LAND AND
BANKS ANE WOULD \NOT CATCH MORE FISH THAN I COUL;D EAT IF POSSIBLLE TO GO FISHING IN THIS LAKE ANID WOULD NOT DIVERSE THE INFORMATION TO ANYONE ELSE
THANKS FOR THE CONSIDERATION
EMBRY HARRELL 229 212 0885 emery4925@yahoo.com
PS I HAD SOME DISTANT RELATIVES THAT HAD A DRUG STORE IN HAWKINSVILLE GA YEAES AGO. HARRIS AND BETTY JEAN HARBIN FROM RHINE GA
I would love to fish the property location at the bridge on Hwy 341. I saw the location this past weekend traveling on 341. I recently moved to Eastman Ga and am looking for a fishing spot. I would only fishing near the bridge area near the srearway. Solo fisherman and clean up after myself. Wouldn't want to fish on someone's private property without permission. Thanks David Wilson 404-207-8165
Hello I seen the pond on 341 and would like to take my two daughters to catch brim if possible. I would respect the area and rules.I would help with work on the land if needed. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Michael Bussell
478-636-8011
Stationed at Robins AFB and was looking for somewhere for me and my son to go fishing. Only catch and release and of course would clean up after ourselves. Thank you for your consideration.
Jeff Hall
591-743-2620