South Nominee: Thomas Terry from Virginia

What makes them outstanding?

Thomas R. Terry is a second generation Tree Farmer (1989) who was taught forest management by his father (1987). His love for the family farm and the realization that good management provides good income sparked the urge to acquire land that used to be in his family. He follows sound professional advice and has developed a well-managed Tree Farm throughout the years. He is in the Forest Stewardship Program and is currently in the process of acquiring a conservation easement with the Virginia Department of Forestry. He is also managing the property for wildlife, and protecting historic structures on the property.

Tree Farmer story

Richard Booker established this Tree Farm in 1812 and the remains of his plantation house still exist. A farmer by profession, Brooker did what farmers normally did at that time, raising pigs, wheat, corn, and sheep. He began cutting mature trees and selling them for mine timber. The Civil War took a toll on the family farm and the family had to sell off various tracts in order to pay taxes and support the family. The farm slowly deteriorated until 1953, when Joe Terry (Tommy's father) began acquiring the land that had been sold off and putting the original farm back into place. He started planting fields under various programs and improving existing stands of high-graded hardwood. He purchased an additional 300 acres and harvested 20 acres from this area, paying for the land from the timber sale. The plantings were done by the family. Tommy remembers as a little boy using a planting bar with this Dad, brother, and a tenant farmer. He remembers an article that quoted his Dad saying, "These trees were holding up the sky in that part of the world". Lee Spadlin assisted the Terry's farm under the Westvaco Landowner Assistance Program starting in 1981. The Terrys knew already that sustainability was important and their love for the land encouraged them to pursue Tree Farming. A 68 acre watershed lake was established in 1964. Sue Tennant (Prince Edward Forester with Virginia Department of Forestry) certified Joe Terry Sr. in 1987 under the Tree Farm program and Tommy was certified in 1989 as a Tree Farmer. Tommy has continued acquiring land belonging to the original farm. His love for history has encouraged him to do this. He has followed professional advice and is currently managing the farm. He was awarded the Piedmont Forestry Farmer award in 1999. He has enrolled and will soon have his property in a conservation easement program with the Virginia Department of Forestry. Tommy owns another 57 acre parcel in Prince Edward County, which is under the easement program, and owns another 61 acres in Appomattox County call the Forest Chapel Tract. The Forest Chapel Tract is also a certified Tree Farm. His brother, Joe, is pursuing a 188 acre easement in Appomattox County, referred to as "Uncle Willie's Place". Tommy says, "I am a custodian of the land, not an owner. This is why I want to continue the legacy of the farm.' 

For the following areas describe how the landowner's management addresses it

Wood:  Landowner has 659 acres of woodland on his property, as well as another 57 acre parcel in Prince Edward County and a 61 acre Tree Farm in Appomattox County. He has recently thinned 112 acres in Prince Edward County on his two tracts. In Appomattox County, he has planted 8 acres in Shortleaf Pine, and 30 acres within the past 10 years.

Water:  There is a 68 acre watershed lake that was established on the property in the 1960's. Tommy has maintained buffers along this lake and practiced excellent water quality measures along other existing waterways on the property.

Wildlife including threatened and endangered species:  Tommy has preserved open areas and a 21 acre cut-over for wildlife habitat. No threatened or endangered species have been found on the property.

Recreation and Aesthetics including special sites:  There are several historic structures on the property that were built prior to the Civil War, along with the remains of a 1812 plantation house. Also, there is a cemetery on the property.