2010 Regional Outstanding Tree Famers of the Year

For Immediate Release
Contact Amanda Cooke
202.463.2731 
ACooke@forestfoundation.org

2010 Regional Tree Farmers of the Year

Washington, D.C. - The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation, has named Trevor Evans (Derby, Vermont); Robert and Ingrid Sonnenberg (New York Mills, Minnesota); Salem, Dianne, and Patrick Saloom (Brewton, Alabama); and partners Jim Cota, Robbie and Scott Melcher (Sweet Home, Oregon) as its 2010 Regional Tree Farmers of the Year. This program is sponsored by Stihl, Inc.

This annual award recognizes outstanding sustainable forest management on family-owned woodlands. Every year the four regional winners are in contention to win the National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Award, which is given at the National Tree Farmer Convention. The National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the year will be announced at the 2010 convention on July 15, 2010 in Burlington, Vermont.

Trevor Evans

Evan’s Tree Farm fittingly called, "The Tree Farm," has within the last 15 years planted 6,000 trees and developed areas for wildlife habitat with a goal of returning areas of the land to what is called a 4-stage forest, where a natural progression of open space, shrubs, young trees, and mature trees exist together.

Evans has shown that he is dedicated to making his land stand as a working example of the best forest management that can be practiced, a working model that integrates wildlife habitat work with silviculture, and recreational trails that provide aesthetically pleasing walks.

Fun Forest

In 1999, after nearly 20 years of working together and building a successful and productive forestry contracting company, there came and opportunity to purchase a 320 acre parcel of timberland. Although this was a large and expensively challenging purchase, they decided to take the risk. It was from this purchase that the now 1,281 acre Tree Farm known as Fun Forest began.

Cota and the Merchers have purchased 12 parcels of poorly stocked forestland and marginal farm land to convert them into highly productive forestland using their effective forestry knowledge and capabilities. They are leaders in developing techniques to do low impact logging and to utilize biomass material and outstanding contributors to the Sweet Home Community.

Saloom Properties

Saloom Properties, which is the Southern region winner, is owned by Salem, Dianne, and Patrick Saloom of Brewton, Alabama. Salem, his wife Dianne, and Patrick all run Saloom Properties together. Salem started Saloom Properties in 1983 when he bought 158 acres of forest property in Conecuh County. His goal was to improve the land’s timber as well as wildlife, while creating a family refuge. For the next 27 years, the Salooms would buy surrounding parcels of forestland which today totals 1,762 acres of Saloom Properties.

Today, Saloom Properties has many different practices. Field trips are common to the woodlands Farm to explore the forest. The Salooms host many family and community gatherings. Fishing, hunting, camping, horseback riding hiking, etc., are activities that can occur daily in the Salooms forest. For the past five years, the Salooms have been involved in the Forest in the Classroom/Classroom in the Forest Program in which they visit fifth grade classes and speak to students about forestry and other environmental topics.

Robert and Ingrid Sonnenberg

the North Central region winners, own a 214-acre Tree Farm located in New York Mills, Minnesota. Robert grew up on the Tree Farm he now currently owns and has managed for the past 50 years. In 1996, Sonnenberg sought professional forestry help to manage the less productive forestlands. A Forest Stewardship plan was created and the Sonnenbergs have been managing the land ever since. In 2002, their woodlot was recognized as a certified Tree Farm.

Since 1998, Sonnenberg has planted more than 80,000 trees on 100 acres of his woodlot. Sonnenberg is currently working with the University of Minnesota on hybrid aspen clones. He has restored a 45-acre wetland and with that given the numerous geese, ducks and pheasants a new nesting ground. Along with other wildlife efforts the Sonnenbergs oversee all of the work done in their Tree Farm.

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The American Tree Farm System^® (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation, is a network of private woodland owners sustainably managing 26 million acres of forestland. It is the largest and oldest sustainable family woodland system in America, internationally recognized, meeting strict third-party certification standards. For 70 years, ATFS has enhanced the quality of America’s woodlands by giving forest owners the tools they need to keep their forests healthy and productive.

STIHL Inc. is the exclusive presenting sponsor of the ATFS Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Regional and National Awards, as well as the sole, handheld outdoor power equipment provider for the ATFS.

STIHL Inc. manufactures the world’s largest selling brand of chain saws and produces a full line of powerful, lightweight, and versatile handheld outdoor power equipment for homeowners and professional users. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast— not mass merchants. STIHL products sold through U.S. STIHL dealers are for distribution in the United States only. For more information or for the name of the closest STIHL retailer call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit the STIHL Web site at www.stihlusa.com.