2018 Alabama Treasure Forest Association President

I recently completed my term as President of the Alabama Treasure Forest Association.  I conducted the business at our final state business meeting for 2018 in Pratville at the Alabama Landowners Conference.  This was such an honor for me to be in a line of great presidents that have guided our organization down through the years.  Our next president, Gary Cole, will be a great president for our organization.  

People usually serve two annual terms in this position but I agreed to serve only one because in November I became the State Chairman for the Alabama Tree Farm Committee.  I had already made this commitment to Tree Farm early and had been serving as vice-chair for the past four years.

These are two great organizations for forest landowners having different objectives but both do great work for those they represent!

Classroom in the Forest 2018

Well, today we completed the 2018 Classroom in the Forest sponsored by the Clay County Forestry Planning Committee/Treasure Forest.  This program is offered to all fifth graders in Clay County.  Part of the counties students went thru the program Wednesday and the other part on Thursday.  We offer our property to educate the students on environmental education.

Visit by Congressman Rogers

We met with Congressman Rogers yesterday to discuss the Farm Bill and its impact on Rural America here in Clay County.  It is so important to all rural people in ways we have not thought of.
We looked and talked about how the bill helps keep our water safe and pure; how it effects jobs in our community; and how wildlife habitat is protected.

Fall Plantings

I worked on fall plantings for wildlife yesterday.  It was good to have my dad, 81, helping me!  I love to hear him talk about where the deer will come from to these fields and stories about deer he has taken on our property through the years.  We have this transmission line across the property and we try to use it to our advantage.

Event in Clay County

The Longleaf Leader Magazine

It was such an honor recently being recognized in The Longleaf Leader Magazine.  We strive to manage our longleaf to be productive and provide the best possible longleaf habitat for wildlife. 

Clear Forest Stream: Great Place to Play

Had a great week last week with our Grandchildren. I had all five one day and we headed to Dewberrylands.  They love being on the property and this day we played in the branch.  They dammed up the stream and piled rocks in front of the wood to make it deeper.  When we left they wanted to know when we would go back!

They all joined in the work: from four year old to eleven.  Some got wetter than others, some thought they may have found gold and some got a little mud on themselves.  

There were no electronics with us, just cool clear forest water.  I wish every child could play in a branch.  There would be no need for children having video games if they had a stream to play in.

We had five little gnomes come out to see us before we left.