By: Rebecca Konopka
Carter County Extension Agent
The American Tree Farm System, sponsored by the American Forest Foundation, recognizes landowners for excellent forestry practices on private forest lands. The Tree Farm System operates as an informal partnership between resource management professionals from all disciplines and segments including forest industries, public agencies, and private forestry consultants.
Members of the American Tree Farm System promote the growing of renewable forest resources on their forest land while protecting environmental benefits and are encouraged to strive to increase public understanding of all benefits of productive forestry.
Lynn Johnson, 2023 Kentucky Tree Farmer of the Year honoree, will allow community members to see a close-up view of a well-managed tree farm on October 5th during the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Kentucky Tree Farmer of the Year Field Day. This free event will provide a property tour showcasing woodland and wildlife management practices.
The idea of the award is not just to celebrate Johnson as the winner, but to inspire others to become good woodland stewards. “We want to show people good examples of what tree farmers look like, and through these tours, give others some examples of ways to improve their own properties,” said Billy Thomas, extension forester with the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. “Tree farms in Kentucky are typically not Christmas tree farms as some might think, although some do grow Christmas trees, rather they are most often well-managed natural woodlands with the goal of growing high-quality timber, supporting healthy wildlife populations, providing recreational opportunities, while also protecting water quality.”
The field day will run from 1:00-6:00 p.m. A dinner will be provided after the tour, so registration is required. To register, contact the Carter County extension office at 606-474-6686 or the UK Forestry extension office at 859-257-7597.
The field day is a partnership between UK Forestry and Natural Resources extension, the Kentucky Tree Farm Committee, Kentucky Division of Forestry, Carter County Cooperative extension office, Kentucky Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee, and the Kentucky Forest Industries Association.
The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Upcoming Events:
- The Grayson Farmer’s Market is open on Saturdays from 9:00 AM until sell out. The market is located in the shed behind the Extension Office. The Olive Hill Farmer’s Market is located in the Save-a-Lot parking lot and is open on Saturdays and Wednesdays at 8:00 AM and Mondays at 3:00 PM until sell out each day.
- Extension District Board – October 10th @ 10:00 AM
- Sheep & Goat Hoof Trimming Clinic – October 12th @ 5:30 PM – Elliott County Extension Office – Call 474-6686 to register.
- East Kentucky Hay Contest Awards – October 24th @ 6:00 PM – Wolfe County Extension Office – Call 474-6686 to register.
- Northeast Area Livestock Association Meeting – October 26th @ 6:00 – Carter County Extension Office – Speaker: Dr. Michelle Arnold, Ruminant Veterinarian – UK Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory