Family Forest Blog
September 9, 2021
Announcing the 2021 Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year
The American Forest Foundation and the American Tree Farm System are excited to announce the 2021 Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year.
July 6, 2021
ATFS Recognizes Outstanding National Volunteers
Each year the American Tree Farm System recognizes a number of individuals for their invaluable contributions of time and energy to their communities.
April 1, 2021
Encouraging Lifelong Learnings
Al Robertson was introduced to the Dauerwald concept of forestry during his U.S. Army days in Germany. The concept dovetails with the American Tree Farm System's Standards of Sustainability in helping landowners become good stewards of their forestland.
April 1, 2021
Exploring Family-Owned Forests in New Hampshire
In celebration of 80 years of recognizing good forest stewardship, AFF looks at the goals and progress of three American Tree Farm System state affiliates have made. The forestland may be vastly different, but the Tree Farmers' commitment to stewardship remains the same.
April 1, 2021
Exploring Family-Owned Forests in Tennessee
In celebration of 80 years of recognizing good forest stewardship, AFF looks at the goals and progress made by American Tree Farm System state affiliates. Get to know more about family-owned forests in Tennessee and the Tenneessee Forestry Association. One thing is certain, the forestland may be vastly different, but the Tree Farmers' commitment to stewardship remains the same.
April 1, 2021
Exploring Family-Owned Forests in Kansas
In celebration of 80 years of recognizing good forest stewardship, AFF looks at the goals and progress made by American Tree Farm System state affiliates. Get to know more about family-owned forests in Kansas and the Kansas Forestry Association. One thing is certain, the forestland may be vastly different, but the Tree Farmers' commitment to stewardship remains the same.
March 25, 2021
Growing Forest Conservation, Together: The 2019 National Leadership Conference
Each year, AFF welcomes more than 250 Tree Farmers, inspectors, state committee leaders, policy supporters and partners to the three-day 2019 National Leadership Conference (NLC). With topics ranging from the ATFS database to learning how to engage a more diverse audience to an emerging leaders workshop focused on the next generation of sustainable forestry, the conference provided plenty of opportunities for participants to learn more about the Tree Farm system and its community.
March 9, 2021
American Tree Farm System Announces 2021 National Outstanding Inspector of the Year
The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS) is pleased to recognize Mike Kay, of Frederick, Maryland as the 2021 National Outstanding Inspector of the Year. Kay was selected from among more than 2,500 inspectors nationwide for his exceptional on-the-ground work with family forest owners and commitment to the American Tree Farm System.
March 9, 2021
Mississippi Forester Awarded for Leadership and Contributions to Forestry Community
The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS) is pleased to award Garron Hicks of Tupelo, Mississippi with its 2021 National Leadership Award. The award recognizes the efforts of extraordinary volunteers for their efforts to catalyze on-the-ground conservation impact, provide educational opportunities to landowners, and support work towards his or her state committee’s forest goals.
December 15, 2020
Overcoming the Capacity Challenge in the Western U.S.
To meet the need for more professional foresters to assist landowners in western states, AFF has partnered with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to build forester capacity across priority landscapes, with several successes and lessons in the program’s first year.
October 27, 2020
Mary LaHood and Bob Burns, 2020 National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Finalist
Meet Mary LaHood and Bob Burns, finalists for the 2020 National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year from South Dakota.
October 7, 2020
Bruce Townsend and Heidi Bundy, 2020 National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Finalist
Bruce Townsend and his daughter Heidi Bundy own and operate Tomapo Farm in Lebanon, New Hampshire, on land that has been in their family for 250 years. Each generation has found ways to improve the property and enhance its productivity, while also supporting wildlife and enhancing recreation opportunities for their community.
October 7, 2020
Dwayne Wilson, 2020 National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Finalist
Dr. Dwayne Wilson personally manages Slippery Hills Farm, in Wildersville, Tennessee, with the knowledge of a forester and the harvesting skills of a logger. The farm, totaling 405 acres (170 are ATFS certified), has been in his family since 1849, when Uriah Leonard bought the land from the state.
October 7, 2020
Allene and Foots Parnell, 2020 National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Finalist
Allene and Leighton “Foots” Parnell are passionate stewards of their 648-acre Foothills Farm, which has been in the Parnell family for more than 175 years. That long history drives home the importance of protecting and improving our natural resources for future generations. Foothills Farm is a perfect example of how to achieve that.
October 7, 2020
Don Newell, 2020 National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Finalist
Don and Patricia Newell acquired their 250-acre property in Thorndike, Maine, in 1978, selling the lots with prime soils to farmers and keeping the forestland for their family. As a real estate broker and a descendent of Maine farmers and loggers, Don understands his obligation to leave the land better than he found it for future generations.