Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year

David and Darlina (Dar) New are third-generation owners of the Nourse Tree Farm, located just outside of Arlington, Washington. The land had been in Dar’s family for 76 years. After an uncle passed away, the family legacy was put up for sale. Fortunately, Dave and Dar purchased the farm and protected it from development. Ever since, they've been working tirelessly to ensure that the health of the forest continues to improve.

When you think of Forestry in Ohio, it’s hard not to think of Randy and Koral Clum.  While they are professional Foresters by love and profession, they are generous educators at heart.  You can hardly get into a conversation with them without learning something wonderful about our forests.  The countless hours they spend donating their time to help teach others about our forests is remarkable.

Five Springs is a story of family, generational knowledge and good management. In an area of growing urbanization and poor soils, Five Springs Tree Farm has excelled at providing Wood-Water-Wildlife-and Recreation as a model Tree Farm. A 97 acre multiple use Tree Farm the story of the Kingsbury family management is inspirational to all Tree Farmers are continually improving as they grow timber, protect cool clean water, provide a home for wildlife and live on and enjoy their forest land. 

Russell’s personal and lifelong involvement in all aspects of ownership and management of his property is what makes him an outstanding Tree Farmer.  Russell has worked on this woodlot since he was 10 years old peeling Fir logs for the mills. He and his family do most of the work themselves and are interested and involved in it all.

While living five hours from their Tree Farms, Jon and Carol Gould raised a family and purchased four tracts of forestland, beginning in 1994.  They have dedicated themselves to actively managing these tracts for timber and wildlife habitat objectives. Jon has continued his career as a professional geotechnical engineer and just retired after 47 years.

Glenn and Scarlett Riley’s Tree Farm story is one of remembering the past and looking forward to future generations. While their management objectives include wood, water, wildlife, and recreation, their primary intent is sharing. Sharing their knowledge and resources of their Tree Farm with their family and community. Everyone from elementary students to forestry professionals has benefited from their generosity. The Riley’s have a hands on approach to management, taking on tasks such as prescribed burns and building roads. They are proud to practice sustainable forestry, benefiting both wood production and wildlife habitat. The Riley’s timber management includes uneven aged loblolly, longleaf, and bottom land hardwood. Regular prescribed burning and thinning are utilized to maintain a healthy forests. In addition to managing for game species with wildlife openings, the Riley’s also manage their property fo rnon-game species. A great example of their commitment to this includes marking all gopher tortoise burrows on the property and leaving areas open for habitat.

The Chrisman Family Forest is a remarkable Tree Farm in the North Fork of the Flathead River Valley in Montana, just west of Glacier National Park and five miles south of the Canadian Border. The 310 acre property was purchased by Baird and Esther Chrisman in 1958 from the estate of Bart Monahan, the original homesteader who filed on the property in the 1920s. Baird and Esther’s son Allen and their daughter Kari (Chrisman) Wiley, grew up playing in the streams, forests and meadows of their family forest. It was purchased as a family get-away to the mountains, far away from the corn and soybean fields and flatlands of their native Illinois. The time spent growing up on the North Fork led Allen to pursue a career in Forestry, and both he and Kari chose to attend the University of Montana in order to be closer to the North Fork. Active forest management began with lodgepole pine salvage harvest in the late 1970s during a mountain pine beetle epidemic followed by commercial thinning, hazardous fuels projects, and extensive pre-commercial thinning. With a management plan written by Allen, the Chrisman property was accepted into the American Tree Farm System in 1997. 

Passionate is a word that can be used to describe Jim Ball’s attitude and commitment to managing his Tree Farm. What began with the purchase of 80 acres in 1971 has grown to an 850 acre property (nearly 400 acres of which is planted hardwood trees and natural woods). Although Jim is an absentee landowner, he still spends roughly 250 days per year working at the property, completing most of the management work himself, with occasional assistance from others. Jim is meticulous about the care of the nearly 240 acres of planted hardwood species and prunes up to 11,000 trees each year. He has also utilized some of the mature timber on the property in unique ways, including the construction of a 73 foot long covered bridge that spans the main creek on the property, as well as a wine cellar and accompanying furnishings (wineracks, serving table).

Ned and Jean Therrien have done an exemplary job over the last 36 years managing their forestland for the multiple use concepts that the Tree Farm program promotes. Since the 119 acre property was purchased back in 1980, the Ames Road Forest has been managed carefully and thoughtfully. Ned maintains meticulous records showing management activities, financial return, and dollars spent on improvements. They have spent well over 13,000 hours improving the Ames Road Forest. The Therriens actively manage their forest. Ned has a forestry degree and developed his own stewardship plan which he updates on a yearly basis. The silviculture and tree regeneration hereis impressive. Ned inventories the property every 10 years utilizing 58 permanent plots that areestablished throughout. The Therriens are devoted to Tree Farm’s values of multiple use forestry. Numerous species of birds have been identified including 27 nesting species. Since 1980, Ned and Jean have raised 252 ducklings (Wood Ducks, Hooded Mergansers) in duck boxes. Vernal pools are identified and protected. Hiking trails throughout the property are actively maintained and open to the public. The property is also utilized on a regular basis for outdoor educational opportunities for a variety of organizations.

The Defrees Ranch is a landmark in Baker County and Lyle Defrees is known for his knowledge, leadership, and generosity in his community. The Ranch is sustainably managed for all the values found in the American Tree Farm System plus all the social benefits found with people are interested in the best interests of their friends, neighbors and community. The family volunteers their time to help others and participates in volunteer organizations that benefit family forest owners, the ranching community, plus they serve on local and state governmental committees. They are well known and respected in their community and set an example for others to follow. 

Gerald (Jug) and Charlotte Kann’s Tree Farm is outstanding and unique due to the land stewardship values of the landowners and their work ethic, desire and ability to follow each piece of natural resource professional advice and written management plan with attention to the details. The original 80 acres of Kann’s Tree Farm was purchased by Jug over 40 years ago in 1973. As soon as Jug purchased his property he contacted natural resource professionals requesting advice and assistance with managing the land. The first management plan of record was Soil Conservation Plan prepared in 1975.

I feel that Mr. Watkins is an outstanding tree farmer because he manages his timber, wildlife, and the habitat in which they live to better the quality of the environment in which we live. During Mr. Watkins career at BASF he was the first person to introduce and apply Arsenal in the south. He also introduced and patented the QVM (Quality Vegetation Management) practice while working for BASF. He has implemented this practice throughout his pine plantations with great results. Mr. Watkins is very adamant about improving the habitat for a variety of wildlife through spraying, burning, thinning, disking, and planting. 

The Eve-Cowles family have been outstanding stewards of their family woodlands for more than 40 years encompassing 3 generations. They have turned a cut over woodland into a productive forest and have improved the wood roads and trails substantially in the process. They have also improved and diversified wildlife habitat, controlled invasive species, and protected the historic foundations of a 350 year old homestead in Conway. Besides being excellent stewards of their property, they have also been outstanding ambassadors for forestry and sustainable land management, encouraging use of the property by outdoor groups, Scouts, UMass forestry students, birders, bikers, hikers and snow mobilers.

The Derrees Ranch is a landmark in Baker County and Lyle Defrees is known for his knowledge, leadership, and generosity in his community. The Ranch is sustainably managed for all the values found in the American Tree Farm System plus all the social benefits found with people are interested in the best interests of their friends, neighbors and community. The family volunteers their time to help others and participates in volunteer organizations that benefit family forest owners, the ranching community, plus they serve on local and state governmental committees. They are well known and respected in their community and set an example for others to follow. 

On October 20, 2015, the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), awarded the National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year award, sponsored in part by Plum Creek, to Raul Chiesa and Janet Sredy of Elizabeth, Pennsylvania (PA). Chiesa and Sredy, managers of Becket Run Woodlands, have demonstrated exceptional forest stewardship in improving wildlife habitat on their 110-acre property and more broadly in the community, in a state known for its deer, bird and other wildlife populations.

“Where you can’t tell work from play.”   That is the motto of the Hoiland Family Tree Farm, just a few miles south of the Canadian border in the North Fork of the Flathead River Valley. While the property has been in the family since 1945, Duke and Naomi have been the stewards of this unique and spectacular Montana Tree Farm since 1967. Their passion for Tree Farm is also being passed on to the next generations. When you see the grown children and grandchildren of the Hoiland’s getting their hands dirty thinning trees or piling brush you can’t help but wonder now was that work or play?

The Becker Woodland goes back four generations in the family.  The land has changed over the last century, but one thing that has not changed is the hard work and sweat equity the Beckers have poured into their land.  Hard work teamed with stewardship programs and professional forestry advice has made this property a forest management showcase. All of this makes them outstanding Tree Farmers with the dedication of time, energy, focus and hard work that Merlin and Georgie have applied to create a beautiful woodland that is not only enjoyed by their families but is shared with many others.

Beckets Run Woodlands is an outstanding certified ecosystem-based sustainable forestry enterprise focused on restoring and protecting the biodiversity of a severely damaged forest in the urban-wildland interface of the fourth largest city in the Northeast, a model for others to follow. With exceptional entrepreneurial spirit Raul Chiesa and Janet Sredy have intertwined ATFS Certification into the enterprise using it to differentiate themselves, provide credibility and as part of their business image.

John Boutwell is everyman’s Tree Farmer.  Unlike many landowners with over 1,000 contiguous acres, he or his family perform most of the sweat equity on the Tree Farm themselves.  He is an astute student of the environment.  He seeks out experts, studies on his own, and is always ready to try something new.  Even in times of adversity, such as a severe pine beetle infestation and Hurricane Ivan, John used beetle killed timber to build a beautiful cabin and turned hurricane wind- damaged timber into healthy, young forests. John, his wife Ann and sister Peggy Boutwell Autrey are nominated for this award.

Judy and Dwight Batts of Wilson County, North Carolina, have been named 2014 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year by the American Tree Farm System® (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation (AFF). The couple are the fifth generation to manage their family-owned Tree Farm, Batts Tree Farm. 

Judy and Dwight Batts of Wilson County, North Carolina, have been named 2014 Regional Tree Farmers of the Year for the Southern region. They are the fifth generation to manage their family-owned Tree Farm, Batts Tree Farm . The regional award was conferred by the American Tree Farm System® (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation.

Audrey and Rick Barnes of Roseburg, Oregon, have been named 2014 Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year for the Western region for their work to transform 700 acres of a former nickel mine to a thriving, sustainable Tree Farm, Nickel Mountain LLC. The regional award was conferred by the American Tree Farm System®(ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation

Kim and Dennis Schoeneck of Pelican Lake, Wisconsin, have been named 2014 Regional Tree Farmers of the Year for the North Central region. They were recognized for sustainable management  of their 280-acre Schoeneck Tree Farm, which includes the family homestead where Dennis spent his childhood.

Bambi Jones & David (“Tracy”) Moskovitz of Whitefield, Maine, have been named 2014 Regional Tree Farmers of the Year for the Northeast region. They were honored for their exemplary and sustainable stewardship of 1,746 woodland acres that the pair have been managing since they acquired the first of 15 parcels in 1978.

The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation, has named Joe Arington of Wisconsin the 2013 National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year, an annual sustainable forestry honor sponsored by STIHL, Inc.

The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation, has named Allen R. Yale, Jr. of Vermont the 2013 North East Region Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year, an annual sustainable forestry honor sponsored by STIHL, Inc.

The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation, has named Bill and Joan Arsenault of Oregon the 2013 Western Region Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year, an annual sustainable forestry honor sponsored by STIHL, Inc.

The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation, has named John William Bembry of Georgia the 2013 Southern Region Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year, an annual sustainable forestry honor sponsored by STIHL, Inc.

The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation, has named Joe Arington of Wisconsin the 2013 North Central Region Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year, an annual sustainable forestry honor sponsored by STIHL, Inc.

The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) has named Walt and Barbara McPhail of Mauldin, South Carolina, National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. Walt and Barbara’s 1,600-acre McPhail Tree Farm includes woodlands that have been in his family since 1850.

The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) has named Charlie Williams of Munfordville, KY, as Central Regional Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year.  STIHL is the presenting sponsor of the Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year awards, which annually recognizes outstanding sustainable forest management on privately owned woodlands.

The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) has named Mike and Vivien Fritz of Marshfield, Vermont, as Northeast Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year.  STIHL is the presenting sponsor of the Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year awards, which annually recognizes outstanding sustainable forest management on privately owned woodlands.

The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) has named Bryon and Donna Loucks of Centralia, Washington, as Western Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year.  STIHL is the presenting sponsor of the Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year awards, which annually recognizes outstanding sustainable forest management on privately owned woodlands.

Thirty-seven years ago began the journey of sustainable forest management for Joseph "Steve" and Janet Funk of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The Funks were named the 2011 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year by the American Tree Farm System (ATFS) at their National Tree Farmer Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) has named Putnam “Put” Blodgett as the 2011 Northeast Regional Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year. Blodgett has been a Tree Farmer for more than 50 years, managing 670 acres of woodlands in Vermont.

The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) has named Russ and Barbara Ford as Southern Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year sponsored by Stihl, Inc. The couple’s Ford’s River Farms boasts 1,101 acres of Certified Tree Farm near Columbia, Mississippi.

The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) has named Walt and Donna Lange as North Central Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year which is sponsored by Stihl, Inc. The Langes are true ambassadors of ATFS, having hosted as many as 750 guests at a time on their 56 acre woodland in Ohio.

Dr. Salem, Dianne, and Patrick Saloom of Saloom Properties, LLC, a family-owned Tree Farm in Brewton, Alabama. Saloom is a member of numerous forestry organizations has also done a lot to promote Tree Farming.

Robert and Ingrid Sonnenberg, 2010 North Central Region Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year presented by STIHL, Inc. The Sonnenberg's own a 214-acre Tree Farm in New York Mills, Minnesota.

Jim Cota and Scott and Robbie Melcher jointly own Fun Forest in Sweet Home, Oregon. The Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year awards are sponsored by Stihl, Inc. the world's leading chain saw manufacturer and a variety of handheld outdoor power equipment.

After acquiring the land from the timber company, the Barrs spent countless hours, endless energy, and ample resources to transform the industrially managed land into an esteemed, family-managed tree farm.

Robert Woodling along with his wife, Linnea Good, own a 100-acre Tree Farm in Monroe County, Indiana. Woodling and Good have been named the 2009 Midwest Region Tree Farmers of the Year. 

Ken and Lois acquired their property in 1976. The land belonged to Lois’s father, W.W. West who purchased the original 180-acre parcel in 1954 as a place for the family to camp, fish, and hunt. 

Thomas F. Bullock, forestry chair of the Lenape Farms, Inc. of New Jersey has been named the 2009 Northeast Regional Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year. 

Bob and Jean Cooper own Meadowbrook Farm in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Coopers are passionate about their land and committed to standing up for the rights of all forest landowners.