Michigan Tree Farmers Bob & Sheri Poel Named 2003 North Central Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the YearWashington, D.C. — The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation, named Bob and Sheri Poel, of Linden, Mich., as the 2003 North Central Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. The Poels received their award during the National Tree Farmer Convention held in Columbus, Ohio, Hardwood Country, The Heart of it All. This annual ATFS award recognizes outstanding sustainable forest management on privately owned forestland. Bob, a retired engineering manager, and Sheri, an office manager, were selected from a long list of Tree Farmers throughout the North Central region. Having been actively involved in promoting Tree Farming in their community for years, the Poel's Tree Farming history is saturated with activities, organizations, and projects dedicated to advancing the good name of Tree Farming. The Poels own King Creek Tree Farm, 118 acres in Luce County, Michigan. For the last 12 years it's been under a written management plan that helps the Poels maintain the Tree Farm using good stewardship practices. Certified Tree Farmers own at least 10 acres of forestland and actively follow a forest management plan developed in partnership with an ATFS volunteer forester. The plan addresses forest sustainability, wildlife habitat, recreation, and water and soil conservation. "Active management is essential for sustainability," said Bob Simpson, Director of the American Tree Farm System. "Family forest owners, like Bob and Sheri, actively manage their forests because they want to be examples of superior stewardship. By passing on the love of their land to their children they are improving America's forest resources for generations to come." The Poels created a management plan in 1992 with the goal of making their Tree Farm a main source of income in 2003. Remaining faithful to that plan, Bob retired in 2002 from General Motors and now manages King Creek Tree Farm full time. Also included in their management plan was a sawmill business with products including cabin logs, siding, and rough sawn lumber. The Poels are right on schedule with these plans and have also been personally putting to use these timber products. Bob has built several log homes and cedar sided houses, including their own home, as well as several other buildings along the way. For more information please contact Amanda Rudy, Communications Coordinator, 202.463.2442, Email arudy@forestfoundation.org or visit ATFS at www.treefarmsystem.org.
The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS) is a national program that promotes the sustainable management of forests through education and outreach to private forest landowners. Founded in 1941, ATFS consists of 26 million acres of privately owned forestland and has 61,000 family forest owners who are committed to excellence in forest stewardship. Tree Farmers manage their forestlands for wood, water, wildlife, and recreation with assistance from 6,000 volunteer foresters. ATFS is a program of the American Forest Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works for healthy forests, quality environmental education, and informed decision-making about our communities and our world.
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