Southern OTFY: Allene and Foots Parnell of Alabama
What makes them outstanding?
The Parnell’s are passionate about good stewardship and leaving their property better than they found it. They realize that we only occupy this land in a temporary basis and we should protect and improve our natural resources. Foothills is a perfect example of what can be done to improve and enhance mother nature’s gift of land. The Parnell’s long ago recognized that they could not do this by themselves. They relied on professional advice and resources to accomplish their goals and objectives. Foothill’s farm has been in this family for six generations, if his ancestors could see this property now, they would be proud of what the Parnell’s have accomplished. They are proud that their property has been able to stay in their family for over 175 years.
Tree Farmer Story
In the early 1800’s, before Alabama was a State, a man named Elijah Parnell settled in the area known as Parnell, a small community between Plantersville and Stanton, in what was then known as Bibb County, Alabama (later Chilton County). Over the next several years, he and his heirs acquired a significant amount of acreage in that general area, including Maplesville, that was used for crop farming, cattle, and timber harvesting. Subsequently, generations sold and sub-divided some of the parcels and, in the year 2000, Allene and Foots Parnell became the owners of Foothills Farm, a 600-acre tract in Stanton, Alabama. They are the sixth generation of Parnell's to own this land, which some say a portion of which, was the site of a Confederateembankment during the 1865 Civil War Battle of Ebenezer Church.
Foots’ given name is Leighton C. Parnell III. His father and grandfather were both nicknamed“Foots” and were, at one time, owners of this property. The topography ranges from hills to valleys, hence the name “Foothills”. It has three year-round running streams through a beautiful forest mix of loblolly and longleaf pine and numerous types of hardwoods. A strategically planned road system intertwines within the property. There are a number of greenfields on the property, connected by walking trails, that are planted with seasonal summer and winter seed mixes. Today, the emphasis at Foothills is on timber growth, wildlife enhancement, and recreation. The property is blessed with various species of wildlife including deer, turkey, gravy and red fox squirrels, an ample supply of rabbits, as well as many varieties of birds and other animals.
The Parnell’s built a small cabin on the property, with a gazebo perched on a hilltop nearby, offering stunning long-range views and beautiful sunsets. It is a place for picnics, relaxing, and kite-flying!
Foots’ first project started in 2004, when he clear cut some acreage and replanted it with loblolly pine along Mulberry Creek. Prior to planting it, he did extensive site work to improve the topography and road system, resulting in a beautiful stand of trees now, which has had one thinking. With some cost-sharing assistance provided by the USDA Natural RecoursesConservation Service, he has been able to improve his timber base effectively. Due to the nature of the soil on his property, he has only planted longleaf pines since his initial project. To date, two 40-acre tracts, one in 2010, and a second in 2013 have been planted. Another 40-acre tract is scheduled to be planted in January 2020 and he has just cleared an additional 40 acres to plant in longleaf in two years. Although these tracts are different in age, their size enables them to be managed effectively and independently. With the exception of hardwood areas, most of the remaining property has undergone two trees thinning’s and he has implemented a systematic prescribed burning rotation since he began managing it. Many areas that experienced erosion in the past have now been stabilized using ditches, turnouts, and riprap with large gravel.
With the assistance of Alex Johnson, of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), his next project will include planting pollinator wildflowers that will promote a valuable ecosystem provided by bees, butterflies, bats, and beetles. Through the CSP, a variety of enhancement management practices are available to the landowner that go beyond the minimum conservation practice standards, helping him to achieve a higher level of conservation.
Foots always has a special project going on at his farm and will be the first to tell you that here lies on professional help to manage it. John Pirtle, with Pirtle Forestry Services, LLC of Billingsley, AL is his forester. “Without John’s advice and guidance, our place would not resemble what it looks like today”, he says. With the help of a plan designed in 2010 by BrianSmith, with the Alabama Forestry Commission, John has done a wonderful job managing our forest. His distant cousins at Parnell, Inc. have assisted him with timber thinning and clearing. David Chandler, who is the head of the West Autauga Water Authority, is the farm’s foreman during his off-hours. Like John Pirtle, David is instrumental in maintaining the property. He is a perfectionist at bush hogging, disking, planting fields, and, basically, anything that needs to be done, allowing Foots’ the opportunity to work on his projects. David is assisted by JJ McLeanand PJ Lee, who are there to help out just about every weekend.
Due in large part to the plan originally prepared by Brian Smith, and with the help of these individuals, Foothills has received several certifications: Treasure Forest, Stewardship Forest, Certified Tree Farm, and Alabama Century and Heritage Farm. The Parnell’s love to entertain guests at their farm. Among other events, in October 2017 Foots and Allene hosted the Chilton County Landowners Tour, and this coming February will be hosting the Central Alabama Boy Scout’s Council Annual Jamboree, where approximately 150 scouts will enjoy a weekend of camping and festivities. In addition, John Pirtle has hosted forestry professionals for continuing education training.The Parnell’s feel blessed to have their farm, Foothills, and to be able to enjoy the beauty of nature that God has created and given them. Their favorite quote was stated by an early 20thCentury frontier novelist, Willa Cather, “We come and go, but the land is always here. And the people who love it, are the people that own it, even if it is just for a little while”.
Describe any outreach on behalf of sustainable forestry that the Tree Farmer has done.
The Parnell’s are passionate to share their knowledge with other forest landowners, students, and other interested groups. The Parnell’s have graciously opened the property for landowner tours, professional forester continuing education classes, one on one knowledge transfer with people, homeschooled students, special needs students, and a districtwide Boy Scout Camporee. In October 2017, the Parnell’s hosted the Chilton County Land Owners Tour whereover 150 landowners from several counties were exposed to various topics related to forestry and wildlife management. Attending foresters were able to receive continuing forestry credits. Several vendors were on-site to interact with the landowners including equipment dealers, forestry, and wildlife-related vendors. The Alabama Forest Owners Association had an event out on the Parnell’s where landowners could learn the importance of using a Forestry Consultant. Ariel drone footage and aerial photographs taken on the property of forest management activities have been used in local landowner seminars. Several kid-type groups have enjoyed the property. During a harvesting operation, a group of special needs kids was toured onsite to observe the harvesting process. The Frontier District of the Tuckabatchee area council of the Boy Scouts of America annual Camporee was recently held out on the Parnell property. Seventy-five scouts learned mapping, how to use a compass, etc. They will earn credits toward their Forestry and several other badges.
For the following areas describe how the landowner's management addresses the core values of ATFS
Wood: Utilizing a comprehensive forest management plan, the Parnell’s have been conducting both thinning operations and clearcutting undesirable stands and reestablishing them with longleaf pine plantations. Utilizing a combination of prescribed burns, herbicide application, and mechanical means, the Parnell’s have aggressively attacked the invasive plant problems encountered on the property.
Water: The forest roads are continuously managed to control the movement of sediment away from the streams. Where necessary the forest roads are graveled, rip raft, and seeded to control any erosion. All streams are protected with Stream Side Management zones during all harvest operations. Culverts are in place to control the water flow and to protect the road system.
Wildlife including threatened and endangered species: The Parnell’s actively manage the property to produce wild turkey and whitetail deer primarily. The hunting recreational activities are utilized by family and friends. The Parnell's have established numerous permanent wildlife plantings and openings. There is significant acreage of mast-producing trees on the property. The Parnell’s enjoy birdwatching. Many wildlife species of birds including songbirds and woodpeckers are prevalent on the property. The Parnell’s have several bluebird houses on the property.
Recreation and Aesthetics including special sites: The Parnell’s enjoy several types of recreation on their property including hiking, birdwatching, hunting, and family and friend activities. There is an extensive walking trail system that connects different land types such as hardwood bottoms, wildlife openings, and streams. A gazebo is located on a hilltop that provides panoramic views stretching for miles in all directions. The Parnell’s enjoy lovely sunsets and picnics.
Describe other forestry programs or organizations in which the Tree Farmer participates
The Parnell’s have utilized numerous natural resource agencies, including the NRCS and AFC. They have utilized programs offered to forest landowners to assist in the property management of their forest such as the EQIP program and the CSP program. Other information sources include private forestry consultants, the Alabama Wildlife Federation, the Alabama Forestry Association, and attending local landowner’s seminars and tours.
