PA Tree Farm: Seeking Nominations for Tree Farmer, Inspector of the Year

By Susan Benedict, PA Tree Farm Committee Chair

As I write this, I am in Vancouver, WA finishing up the American Forest Foundation’s National Leadership Conference. It has been several years since I have attended, and it has been great to see old friends and make new ones from across the country.

As I have chatted with folks and attended sessions, several things have become clear to me. We are all fighting many of the same battles: shortage of funds and hands to do labor, invasive plants and insects, and, of course, climate change. Our approach to these issues may differ across regions of the country, but our basic desire to do the best we can on our land is universal.

Speaking of our desire to do the best on our land, in Pennsylvania we have many outstanding examples of exceptional Tree Farmers doing exceptional work on their land. And, we have exceptional Tree Farm inspectors doing exceptional work advising these landowners. Let’s make sure we give appropriate recognition to these landowners and inspectors. Please send me nominations for Pennsylvania Tree Farmer of the Year and Inspector of the Year. You can email me your nominations at ssb4295@gmail.com, or call me at 814-360-3035.

Thank you to everyone who is working to keep Penn’s Woods healthy and prosperous.

For more information about the PA Tree Farm program, visit their webpage at www.paforestry.org/treefarm.