Awards & Recognition
Tree Farmer of the Year:
Every year South Carolina conducts a Tree Farmer of the Year recognition. Inspecting foresters nominate landowners who are doing an exceptional job at managing their forest and who share their enthusiasm for land management with others. The completed nominations are sent to the District Chairman. District Chairs select the top candidate. This property becomes the District Tree farmer of the year. The State Committee considers all District tree farmers of the year properties and selects three candidates for an on site visit. This usually occurs early each summer. The landowners and their properties are visited by representatives of the State Committee who selects the Tree Farmer of the Year.
Tree Farmers of the Year from South Carolina are:
07-08: Eddie Drayton
06-07: Ben Herlong, Saluda, South Carolina
05-06: Bookman Station, LLC, Columbia, South Carolina
03-04: Johney L. Haralson, Denmark, South Carolina
02-03: John M. Mc Phail, Abbeville, South Carolina
01-02: Dyches Family, Savannah, Georgia
00-01: Dr. Walter A. Mc Phail, Mauldin, South Carolina
99-00: Fred Gantt, Columbia, South Carolina
98-99: Deer Hill, Lane, South Carolina
97-98: Randell C. Ewing, Hartsville, South Carolina
96-97: William E. Eutsler, Cheraw, South Carolina
95-96: Gordon E. Gale, Hardeeville, South Carolina
94-95: Dr. A. G. "Skeet" Burris, Beaufort, South Carolina
93-94: W. R. "Roy" Watkins, Cassatt, South Carolina
92-93: Francis A. Snelgrove, Lexington, South Carolina
91-92: Tom Turner, Rock Hill, South Carolina
90-91: Robert Cecil Gentry, Salem, South Carolina
89-90: James W. Hunt, Jr. Eastover, South Carolina
88-89: John Carter, Sharon, South Carolina
87-88: Carroll & Jane Brown, Colleton County, South Carolina
86-87: Charles W. Redfearn, Beaufort, South Carolina
85-86: John W. Kemph, Jr. , Edgefield, South Carolina
84-85: Iverson Brookes Lawton, Allendale, South Carolina
83-84: Rufus B. Lawrimore, Hemingway, South Carolina
82-83: Mary Julia Royall, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
80-81: S. Guerry Stukes, Summerton, South Carolina
Regional Tree Farmer of the Year :
Tree Farmers of the Year awardees for South Carolina are entered into Regional recognition programs. One person is selected from each of four regions in the United States, then those are considered for the National Tree Farmer of the Year award.
Regional Tree Farmers of the Year from South Carolina are:
2007: Johney Haralson, Denmark, South Carolina
2005: Dyches Family, Savannah, Georgia
2004: John & Mary Rebecca Spearman, Lane, South Carolina
2003: Dr. Walter A. McPhail, Mauldin, South Carolina
2000: Dr. A. G. "Skeet" and Gail Burris, Cummings, South Carolina
1996: Dr. A. G. "Skeet" and Gail Burris, Cummings, South Carolina
National Tree Farmer of the Year:
The Regional Tree Farmer of the Year from the four regions in the United States enters into a National Tree Farmer of the Year event.
In 2000, Dr. A. G. "Skeet" and Gail Burris from Cummings, South Carolina, were selected as National Tree Farmers of the Year.
Master Tree Farmer Volunteer of the Year:
The Master Tree Farmer program is an educational program designed to aid landowners to better managing their land. The program does not make landowners into foresters but it prepares landowners to be able to communicate clearly with foresters and to help them to understand forestry recommendations. One of the requirements of graduates of Master Tree Farmer courses is providing volunteer time to promote sustainable forestry. Every year course coordinators have an opportunity to nominate landowners for this award.
George D. Kessler Inspector of the Year:
Every two years the State Committee selects a Tree Farm Inspector who best exemplifies the devotion and contributions made by the professional foresters who help keep the Tree Farm Program strong in South Carolina.
Note: Dr. A. G. "Skeet" Burris, Cummings, South Carolina, was instrumental in establishing the award. Burris named the award after Dr. George D. Kessler in honor of his many years of service to the South Carolina Tree Farm program.
George D. Kessler Inspector of the Year from South Carolina are:
2008: Kirk Weyman, Anderson, South Carolina
2003: Jeffery G. Brown, Elgin, South Carolina