ATFS Announces Finalists for 2013 Regional Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Awards

Awards Sponsored by STIHL, Inc., Honor Superior Forest Stewardship

WASHINGTON—The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation, has announced eight finalists for the Regional Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year awards, an annual sustainable forestry honor sponsored by STIHL, Inc.

The outstanding regional finalists are:

Northeast Region

• Beartown Family Limited Partnership, Pennsylvania
• Allen R. Yale, Jr.,  Vermont

North Central Region

• Joe Arington, Wisconsin
• John and Carolee Wallin, Minnesota

Southern Region

• John William Bembry, DVM, Georgia
• Mark T. and Jean Jones, South Carolina

Western Region

• Bill and Joan Arsenault, Oregon  
• Alan and Ruby Walker, Washington

Every year, ATFS inspecting foresters and state committees nominate certified Tree Farmers whose conservation efforts, outreach efforts to their community, and advocacy for sustainable forest management exceed expectations.

“The American Tree Farm System is thrilled to recognize these families and their work to keep America’s woodlands healthy and productive, reach out to educate their communities, and engage the next generation,” said Bettina Ring, Senior Vice President for Family Forests with the American Forest Foundation.

This spring, one winner in each region will be chosen after Tree Farm site visits by Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year inspecting forester judges. The National Tree Farmer of the Year, announced at July’s National Tree Farmer Convention in Minneapolis, is chosen from among those final four regional winners. Regional winners will attend this year’s convention and participate in a panel discussion about their sustainable forestry work.

The Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year awards are generously sponsored by STIHL Inc., manufacturer of the number one selling brand of handheld outdoor power equipment in America. STIHL is proud to support the accomplishments of hard-working Tree Farmers from across the country. The four regional awardees will receive a$500 Gift Certificate from STIHL and travel assistance to the National Tree Farmer Convention.

 Contact: Amanda Cooke, acooke@forestfoundation.org or 202-463-2731.

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The American Tree Farm System® is a network of 82,000 family forest owners sustainably managing 24 million acres of forestland. It is the largest and oldest sustainable woodland system in the United States, internationally recognized, meeting strict third-party certification standards. The American Tree Farm System® is a program of the American Forest Foundation. Learn more at www.treefarmsystem.org/awards-recognition.