John and Elizabeth Alter from Florida
What makes them outstanding?
Some of us first met John Alter when he was a Public Relations representative in 1997. John was a keynote speaker at a Society of American Foresters (SAF) spring symposium at the U. of FL.; his talk was titled: The Future for the Private Forest Landowner. John aeronautically associated and succinctly described, distinctly all of the influences that were then, are today, and will still be tomorrow's focus for private non-industrial forest landowners in FL. The introduction to the address also describes many other activities that John has been involved with in the past, right up through today. After hearing his opening remarks at the Alter-Bevis Farms OTFY FL. landowner tour, this past October, everyone knows that these same thoughts are on his mind today as he tries to encourage other landowners to accept more engagement activities.
Tree Farmer Story
The current owners assumed custody of their Tree Farm acreage in 1968, but the property came into the Bevis family in the late 1850s. Earlier generations of landowners of their properties (in Mrs. Alter’s family) owned and operated turpentine and saw mills in the area. In 2006, the Alters formed an LLC with their two adult sons to guarantee farm survival for future generations. Mr. Alter regularly uses his skills as a professional communicator/spokesman to supply news/opinion pieces on his timber operations to local and state media. He also supports the Florida Forestry Association (FFA), ATFS & AFF in a similar fashion. He is active on the FFA communications committee and serves on the (AFF/ATFS) National Public Affairs Committee. Mr. Alter has been a Grass tops Leader, for AFF since 2010 and has recruited other Florida landowners to join and take part in the Washington, D.C.Fly-ins. Mr. Alter has participated in more than 10 Legislative visits to State and Federal offices in behalf of forestry. All of the Tallahassee-based staff directors for Senators Nelson and Rubio, and Representative Graham enthusiastically participated in the Outstanding Tree Farm Tour on their farm in October 2015, and he continues to maintain contact with all of them. John and Elizabeth are known across their area as active and accomplished Tree Farmers and are always ready and willing to discuss tree farming with their neighbors. During the FFA’s October 2015 Working Forests Work week, Mr. Alter arranged two 4th grade PLT-type briefings by local foresters at his local Malone school,besides having the OTFY tour on his property, that same week. Next year he plans to add other schools in the county as well as a series of briefings to area service clubs. He also invites fellow forest landowners to local educational/social events held by FFA, and actively recruits members for both FFA and ATFS. As the Governor-appointed member of the Governing Board for the Northwest Florida Water Management District, he advocates BMPs and BMP management plans for the district’s 220,000 acres of woodlands. On their farm, however, they grow Loblolly, Longleaf, and Slash pines and Cypress species.
Wood
What forest management work has been done in the last five years?
- Harvesting (type of cut, volume & products): Most recently, a final harvest on 148 acres in 2013-4. Poles, ply-logs, chip-n-saw, pine pulpwood, and hardwood pulpwood were realized.
- Reforestation (natural, artificial and number of acres): Latest reforestation efforts occurred in early 2015, when the 148 acres were V-blade planted @ 545 trees per acre. This planting had approximately 90+% survival by the fall of 2015.
- Other practices (protection and TSI): Prior to the reforestation above, heavy mechanical site preparation was performed. During the spring following planting a banded herbicidal herbaceous weed control was also performed on the 148 acres. Also prescribed burned 200+ acres; all of these activities were performed with qualified contractors, using a contract and supervised by the landowners and their consultant. Intense woody brush removals, by both mechanical and manual means, are ongoing within planted stands for competition control.
Water
Florida Best Management Practices that promote water quality and improved wildlife management are also practiced and evident on the property
Wildlife
Landowners' forest management activities are the key ingredient to improved wildlife habitat on the tree farm. Also, this property is surrounded by a myriad of agricultural interests that may or may not provide any wildlife habitat.
Recreation
All suitable tree farm properties are leased for recreational hunting. Signs of significant trespass are monitored, but in general with landowner’s permission, most requests for use are considered, outside of hunting season.
