November 2015
70th Annual Meeting delivers exceptional learning and networking opportunities for 300+ participants
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ore than 300 participants took advantage of the networking, learning and recreational opportunities at the 70th Annual Meeting, October 6-8, in Hot Springs at the Arlington Resort Hotel and Spa. This premier event in the state’s forestry community enhances AFA’s role as the Voice of Forestry in Arkansas. Through association, we learn, share and grow stronger on many levels. Connection is the foundation for an effective voice. The following presentations from the meeting are available to view online at www.slideshare.net/arkforests: • Pellet Mill Developments - Brian Reed, Zilkha Biomass Energy • Hunting Lease DOs and DON’Ts - Dr. Becky McPeake • A Look Forward: The Next 70 Years - Andrew Baum, President and CEO, ArborGen, Inc. • Objective Timber Management: The Key to Higher Returns - Barry Shiver, President and CEO, Smarter Forestry • Wood Fiber Delivery - D.K. Knight, Exec. Editor, Hatton-Brown Publishers • U.S. Wood Demand and Timber Supplies - Dr. Brooks Mendell, President, Forisk Consulting • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Endangered Species Act - Jack Arnold U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Federal Forest Resource Coalition Bill Imbergamo, Executive Director
In addition to an excellent program of speakers, the meeting provided golf and skeet outings, a forest management workshop, a Women in Forestry Art Studio Tour, ArborGen Opening Reception, Deltic Bluegrass and BBQ and AFA Awards Breakfast. The award winners are profiled inside. This year’s meeting also featured a social media contest using the hashtag #Arkforests2015. For a chance to win a GoPro, participants had to post on social media and use the event hashtag. Arkansas Forestry Commission Assistant State Forester Doug Akin won the contest. Posts, shares, retweets and likes generated more than 110,000 meeting-related social media impressions on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other platforms.
Larry Nance (left) and George Rheinhardt (right) pose in the selfie frame.
The always-popular silent auction and chances sold on a Yeti cooler and Winchester rifle raised $6,595 for the AFA Education Foundation. With 41 sponsors, 25 exhibitors and more than 300 participants, the 70th Annual Meeting was one of the most successful events in the association’s history. Many thanks to the program committee, AFA leadership and AFA staff for their continued hard work and support. An online picture album from the meeting is available at www.flickr.com/photos/ arkforests. The 71st AFA Annual Meeting will be held October 4-6, at the Chancellor Hotel in Fayetteville.
Exhibitor Johnny Thompson demonstrates a drone.
Shooters had a perfect day for skeet and trap.
AFA honors outstanding achievements in forestry
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n October 8, AFA presented the following honors at an awards breakfast at the Arlington Resort Hotel and Spa. Videos of the honorees are available on the AFA YouTube channel at www.youtube. com/ArkansasForestry.
Logger of the Year Gentry Bros. Logging LLC
Arkansas Forestry Commission (AFC) for 20 years. Coley is also a Tree Farmer. He has gone above and beyond his duties in wildfire suppression and prevention to help educate Arkansans in White County and beyond about tree identification and seedling planting, involvement in wildfire prevention and suppression, and on a personal, local level, the value of forestry and mission of AFC. “Kenny is and has been an outstanding forestry advocate,” said Adriane Barnes, Arkansas Agriculture Department director of communications, who nominated Coley for the award.
Gentry Bros. Logging, LLC—based out of Shirley—logs primarily in Cleburne, Lonoke, Prairie, Stone, Van Buren and White Counties. Their operation is fully mechanized and headed by Jason and Gary Gentry, who have logged for Green Bay Packaging, Inc. since 2004. “Possibly the greatest attribute Gentry Bros. showcases is a willingness to go the extra mile to satisfy any company, landowner or community need,” said Matt Reynders, with Green Bay Packaging, who nominated Gentry Bros. for the award. First-generation loggers, Gary and Jason have been logging since high school. At that time, their equipment consisted of a few chainsaws and a Ford tractor for skidding. Jason, Gary and a few sawhands ran the entire operation. Working small jobs here and there, they could move two to five loads per day. Today, Gentry Bros. moves 15 to 20 loads per day.
Communicator of the Year Kenneth Coley, Arkansas Forestry Commission Kenny Coley is the County Ranger for White County and has been with the
adult volunteers to put on the Hogskin Forestry Contest, a statewide forestry competition. “When it comes to reaching out and getting people involved in forestry, Jaret is the man for the job,” said Jessica Thomas, a Hampton High School student who nominated Rushing. “Jaret personally lives out the meaning of 4-H. He is a wonderful role model for youth and adults,” said Michelle Ivy, a parent of one of Rushing’s forestry team members.
Tree Farmer of the Year Coley Family Tree Farm
He often uses Project Learning Tree lessons in his presentations to children. He works with countless garden clubs, campuses, Master Gardener associations, and other civic groups to distribute seedlings, good planting practices, and general forestry knowledge. Coley is an outstanding individual with great speaking skills, charisma, attitude and a genuine interest in healthy forests.
Outstanding Forestry Educator Jaret Rushing, UA Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, Calhoun County Jaret Rushing is the Calhoun County Cooperative Extension Service agent. He works closely with public and private organizations to promote conservation education and serve as a mentor for youth in the area. Recently, he lead two teams to the National 4-H Forestry Contest, and had two teams win on the state level and three students win the 4-H Forestry O’Rama. Rushing works closely with the agriculture teachers at area schools to conduct forestry activities with students. Also, he brings together public and private funding and
The Coleys’ objectives are to be good stewards of the land and enhance their tracts, which benefits forestry and wildlife. They believe in doing the right things and making the right management decisions. The story starts in 1959 with the acquisition of 80 acres in McRae. Since that time, the property has grown to a total of 750 acres and has been an official Tree Farm since 1988. The majority of the property is in plantation loblolly. Some acreage is in bottomland hardwoods, with new pine and hardwood plantings throughout. The Tree Farm also contains several ponds and water sources. “Over the last 56 years, the Coleys have persevered through tough economic times and never strayed away from their forest management goals,” said consultant Wade Hargrave. “They are true believers in protecting water and soil and sound forest management. This will always be part of the legacy of Coley Farms Trust.”
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Outstanding Log A Load For Kids Volunteers Nancy Loomis, Clearwater Paper Patsy Thornton, Potlatch
Loomis and Thornton have also served on the National Log A Load For Kids Advisory Committee and attended the Children’s Miracle Network Celebration event in Orlando.
Legislator of the Year Rep. Ken Bragg Rep. Ken Bragg is serving his second term in the Arkansas House of Representatives and is the majority leader. He represents District 15, which includes portions of Grant, Hot Spring, and Jefferson Counties. Since 1994, Nancy Loomis and Patsy Thornton have been a consistent, driving force in Bradley County Log A Load For Kids and work hard to bring new energy and ideas to their local committee and the statewide program, which has raised more than $7.5 million for Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) since 1993. “Being involved with Log A Load has enlightened me on how much each of us should count our blessings every day if we have healthy children and grandchildren,” Thornton said. “We do this because we want to help the children of Arkansas.” “I believe that all who are involved with Log A Load are very compassionate people and want to do as much as possible to keep ACH the top-notch facility it is,” Loomis said. “I’m glad to be a small part of that.”
During the 90th General Assembly, Rep. Bragg served on the committee for Public Health, Welfare and Labor and the committee for Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development. He has sponsored, supported and helped pass legislation that promotes a healthy forest products industry. In the last two sessions, his leadership and support were instrumental in passing bills that clarify and set a cap on the amount of an assessment that can be levied on timberland by a Fire Protection District, allow a higher education professor to teach elements of forestry without registering for the practice of forestry and provide a sales tax exemption on harvesting equipment and the fire protection assessment, among other important bills. AFA appreciates Rep. Bragg’s leadership and support in the legislature.
CALENDAR November 17 Arkansas Conservation Partners Congressional Staffer Tour Ouachita National Forest November 26-27 AFA Office Closed in Observance of Thanksgiving December 9 AFA Education Foundation Board of Directors 10 a.m. AFA Office, Little Rock December 9 AFA Executive Committee Noon AFA Office, Little Rock December 10 Program Committee 10 a.m. AFA Office, Little Rock December 16 Tree Farm Committee and Inspector Recognition Golden Corral, North Little Rock December 24-28 AFA Office Closed in Observance of Christmas
Resource corner
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“Southern forests are literally choked by kudzu, oriental bittersweet, and privet,” said Miller. “While most people are aware of these first three invaders, many do not realize the problems that ornamental plants such as periwinkle, burning bush, and English ivy can cause.”
he U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station (SRS) publication A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests provides a comprehensive identification guide to nonnative trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, ferns and forbs currently invading forests and other natural areas of the southeastern United States. The information included in the guide is also available as an application for iPhones, iPods, and iPads called Invasive Plants in Southern Forests. Jim Miller, SRS emeritus scientist and the lead author of the guide, is one of the foremost authorities on invasive plants in the South; co-authors are SRS research technician Erwin Chambliss and Auburn University research fellow and extension specialist Nancy Lowenstein.
Whether introduced accidentally or brought in for livestock forage or ornamental use, nonnative invasive plants have left an environment where they are kept in check by insects or disease, and compete unfairly with the native vegetation.
The guide includes identification information, photos, and images for 56 plant species invading southern forests and natural areas. The appendix contains the most complete list of nonnative invasive plants in the 13 Southern states, providing command and scientific names for 310 species, including aquatic invaders. For more information, email Jim Miller at jameshmiller@fs.fed.us.
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