Outstanding Tree Farmers –2003

The American Tree Farm System named Bob and Lynette Falkner, of Raymond, Wash. as the 2003 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. 

Bob, a youth minister, and Lynette, a teacher and homemaker, were selected from a long list of Tree Farmers throughout the nation. Having been actively involved in promoting Tree Farming in their community for years, the Falkner’s Tree Farming history is saturated with activities, organizations, and projects dedicated to advancing the good name of Tree Farming.

The Falkners own Custer Creek Tree Farm, 700 acres of land that has been in their family since 1888 and home to 5 generations of their family.  Since 1978, the Falkners have had the land under a management plan to ensure that their Tree Farm would succeed over the long term.  With their dedication to good stewardship over the years, Custer Creek Tree Farm has very much endured and prospered.

Their passion for Tree Farming led the Falkners to create a management plan that included five goals:  to maintain and protect the biodiversity of plant and animal life; to provide periodic income of harvested timber; to insure full stocking and rapid tree growth in forested acres; to outreach through education; and to continue the Tree Farm’s heritage.  These ongoing goals still exist on a daily basis for the Falkners.

Custer Creek Tree Farm has provided the four Falkner Children, ranging in ages from 22 to 12, a true appreciation of their parents’ good stewardship as well as a love for the land.  The four of them grew up with the Tree Farm and each carries with them special memories of their Tree Farm life.

In fact, children have been an integral part of Custer Creek Tree Farm.  Education and outreach are such important elements of the Falkner’s forest management plan that they built a Project Learning Tree trail for visiting classes to follow. 

The Falkners have kept up good stewardship practices, have vocalized their passion and support of Tree Farming and timber products, and have touched the next generation with their love for the land.  It is for these reasons and so many more, that the Falkners received their award surrounded by a standing ovation.