Awards & Recognition
We grow stewardship from the roots.
While we all do our part to conserve our nation’s greatest asset, we are proud to honor individuals who go above and beyond in their commitment to responsible forest management.
National Outstanding Tree Farmers
ATFS recognizes the superior stewardship of its members through the annual Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year recognition program. These landowners are recognized for their remarkable efforts to enhance and sustain their forests and for spreading the practice of sustainable forestry.
The National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year is chosen from the four regional winners at the National Tree Farmer Convention. STIHL, Inc. is the exclusive sponsor for this award and the sole lightweight outdoor power equipment provider for ATFS.
2011 - Joseph "Steve" and Janet Funk, Idaho [video]
2010 - Salem, Dianne, and Patrick Saloom, Alabama
2009 - Earl and Wanda Barrs, Georgia
2008 - Bob and Jean Cooper, North Carolina
Past National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year, 1976-2010 [pdf]
Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers
Every year, inspecting foresters nominate Tree Farmers whose conservation efforts, outreach efforts in the community, and advocacy for sustainable forest management exceed expectations. ATFS State Committees select a state honoree to compete on the regional level. Regional judges select four regional winners who attend the annual National Tree Farmer Convention where they detail their sustainable forestry work during a panel discussion. The Regional Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year is sponsored by STIHL, Inc.
2011
Putnam "Put" Blodgett, Vermont
Russ and Barbara Ford, Mississippi
Walt and Donna Lange, Ohio
2010
Trevor Evans, Derby, Vermont
Robert and Ingrid Sonnenberg, Minnesota
Jim Cota, Robbie and Scott Melcher, Oregon
2009
Robert Woodling and Linnea Good, Indiana
Ken and Lois Carpenter, Colorado
Thomas F. Bullock, New Jersey
National Outstanding Inspector of the Year - Wesley R. Meier
The Outstanding Inspector of the Year award honors an ATFS Volunteer Inspector. These individuals give their time to ATFS, as well as all of our volunteers, and perform considerable outreach efforts to educate the public and private landowners on the benefits of sustainable forestry. The honored individual is selected from four regional winners.
2011 - Brian Cobble, Florida
2010 - Kirk Weyman, South Carolina
2009 - Wayne Young, New Hampshire
ATFS recognition programs are exclusively sponsored by STIHL, Inc.
