The A.J. and Nona Trigg Hodges Foundation Wins 2024 Southern Region Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Award
Hodges family standing with their Tree Farm sign
The A.J. and Nona Trigg Hodges Foundation, recognized as the 2024 Southern Region Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year, exemplifies sustainable forestry, wildlife conservation, and dedication to land stewardship. Spanning over 4,600 acres in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, the Tree Farm has been managed by the Hodges family for more than six decades, building upon the visionary efforts of its founders.
The property’s history dates back to the late 1930s, when A.J. Hodges Sr. began acquiring thousands of acres of cutover land. In an era when much of the South’s forestland had been cleared for timber, AJ and his wife Nona took a forward-thinking approach, focusing on reforestation and long-term sustainability. He planted countless pine seedlings to rejuvenate the land, setting the stage for future generations. With their commitment to being a family farm and to sustainable forestry, they became a certified Tree Farm in 1983. It has been a cornerstone of the Hodges family’s conservation legacy ever since.
Forest is prescribed burned on Hodges farm
More than 2,000 acres have been thinned, 1,000 acres are prescribed burned annually, and 500 acres have been planted with longleaf pine. These efforts contribute to maintaining a healthy, diverse forest. Working with partners like the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Hodges Foundation has enhanced habitats for quail, wild turkey, whitetail deer, and a variety of other species. They actively manage invasive species and create a diverse landscape that supports both game and non-game wildlife, contributing to biodiversity and overall ecosystem health.
Today, the volunteer Board of Directors of the Foundation consists of A.J. and Nona’s grandchildren, great grandchildren and business associates. In 2008, the Foundation established the Louisiana Ecological & Forestry (LEAF) Center as the operating mechanism for the property to be managed as an ecological setting with wildlife habitat management and a more diverse forest through longleaf pine as the tree of choice. LEAF’s vision statement guides all management decisions for the land,
“be nationally recognized for a diverse ecosystem dominated by longleaf pine and a source for ecological forestry knowledge.”
Outreach and education are central to the Foundation’s mission. The LEAF Center serves as an outdoor learning hub, hosting annual prescribed burn certification workshops, trapping workshops, and providing educational opportunities for university students. The Hodges family also welcomes the public to participate in benefit hunts for veterans and individuals with disabilities, further demonstrating their commitment to community engagement.
The Leaf Center hosts a workshop
Through their exemplary forest and wildlife management, and their dedication to education and outreach, the A.J. and Nona Trigg Hodges Foundation has built a lasting legacy. Their work ensures that the land continues to thrive as a sustainable forest, providing critical habitat for wildlife and serving as a model for landowners and a haven for forestry knowledge across the nation.