Photo courtesy of Clark Bothfeld Clark Bothfeld, right, state tree farm chairman, presents a new tree farm sign to Bill Pemberton, left, and Mike Pemberton, center. The American Tree Farm System works with family forestland owners.

In Vermont, this national organization is sponsored by the Vermont Woodland Association.

To be involved in the American Tree Farm System a landowner must have a minimum of ten acres and be committed to the goals of multiple-use and sustainable forestry.

This multiple-use concept is one in which a parcel is managed for wildlife, wood, recreation and water quality. The forest is managed to enhance the health of the forest while protecting the wildlife habitat of the property. At the same time, this concept improves water quality for fisheries, and encourages recreational use of the property. The landowner, under the multipleuse concept, can greatly improve the quality of the timber grown on their property. Another tangible benefit is generations are able to enjoy, and utilize, the property for a variety of outdoor activities.

Local landowners Bill Pemberton and Clark Bothfeld are Certified Tree Farmers. They both have forest management plans written by private consulting forester Rose E. Beatty of Bailey Road in Northfield.

Rose has over twenty years of experience working with forest landowners and is a certified tree farm inspector. The forest management plans of these landowners describe the current conditions of their forest and the long term goals of each landowner. The forest management plan recommends the proper silvilcultural practices in order to achieve these goals. These goals are achieved utilizing sound forest management practices.

Bill and Clark have been certified Tree Farmers for the past twenty years and have implemented the silvilcultural practices described by their forest management plans. The plan recommends timber sales, which directly benefits the landowners by generating income and firewood. By following their forest management plans both have improved the wildlife habitat on their property.

These improvements include planting food plots and selective cutting to improve grouse habitat. The result is both landowners, with their children and grandchildren, can be found on their property, enjoying the benefits of these forest management practices. Both have rustic camps that hold many memories where multiple generations gather, during the various seasons, to enjoy hunting, sugaring, crosscountry skiing, snow shoeing, snowmobiling, as well as the ability to "just get away!"

If you are interested in getting involved with the American Tree Farm Association or have questions regarding forest management, feel free to contact Rose Beatty or Clark Bothfeld for more information.

As the American Tree Farm System likes to say "Our Business is Growing!"