Chair Persons message

It is an exciting time to be involved with the South Carolina Tree Farm Committee and I am honored to serve this year as your chairman. With over 1.1 million acres certified in South Carolina, the Palmetto State’s program is the seventh largest in the American Tree Farm System. However with over 9 million acres of privately owned forest land in the state, we still have dramatic opportunities to grow.

This website has been put together to keep you informed of the many programs, events and benefits of being a Tree Farmer in South Carolina, as well as a member of the American Tree Farm System. I hope you will find the information both timely and useful.

I want to thank Clemson University, the South Carolina Forestry Association, and the South Carolina Forestry Commission for their sponsorship of the Tree Farm System in South Carolina, as well as the many foresters and forest landowners that volunteer their time to the program.

George K. Chastain
Chairman, South Carolina Tree Farm Committee

Sponsors

South Carolina Forestry Commission
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service
South Carolina Forestry Association

Mission Statement

The overall mission of the Tree Farm Program is good forestry practices on more acres to provide a healthy environment with clean air and clean water, recreational opportunities, effective wildlife management, the protection of special places, and a sustainable supply of forest products.                       

Goals and objectives

A primary objective is to assist certified family forest owners to stay abreast of forestry practices and to aid them in managing their lands so they can meet their objectives.

Another objective is to assist landowners who are not certified family forest owners to become aware of the Tree Farm Program and to assist them in the management of their land to meet Tree Farm Certification Standards.

A third objective is to educate the general public about good forestry practices and the role family forests play in maintaining good forestry.

Benefits of the Tree Farm Membership.

• Membership in a network of professionals and landowners who share your commitment to sustainable forestry.
• Free professional advice from a forester. Invitations to seminars, field days and workshops that can help you achieve the goals you have set for your Tree Farm.
• ATFS recognized sign of sustainable forestry and other ATFS promotional items.
• Opportunities, training and tools that will help you in your education efforts about the benefits of sustainable forestry.
• Local, state and national information on legislation and other issues affecting forest land owners.
• An annual convention where you can meet, share experiences and enjoy the fellowship of Tree Farmers from across the country.
• The opportunity to be recognized by fellow landowners and forestry professionals in local, state, regional and national Outstanding Tree Farmer competition.
• An annual SC Tree Farm Tour to view the property of the SC Tree Farmer of the Year.
• Periodic newsletters from the South Carolina Tree farm Committee
• A complimentary issue to Tree Farmer, the Guide to Sustaining America's Family Forests magazine, the bi-monthly forest enhancement publication by Tree Farmers for Free Farmers.

Certified Tree Farmer:

A Tree Farmer is a landowner owning ten or more acres who manages the land for their objectives in a sustainable fashion and meets Tree Farm certification guidelines. The land is managed under a written management plan that accounts for water quality, wildlife habitat, soil conservation as well as forest product production. Tree Farmers protect the land from fire, insects, disease and destructive grazing. A professional forester can assist you, answer questions and help you develop your management plan.

Details on becoming a Tree Farmer can be found at this link.

Pioneer Tree Farmer:

Pioneer Tree Farm status is the beginning level of tree farming. This program establishes communication with non-managing landowners to motivate them to work toward ATFS certification by implementing excellent forestry on their woodlands. Pioneer Tree Farm status is granted to allow interested landowners that are not quite ready for certification to become an ATFS member. Pioneer Tree farmers will work with a forester and have five years to reach Tree Farm status.

Additional information about the Pioneer Tree Farm Program can be found at this link.

Officers & Co-Sponsor Representatives

Chair

George Chastain
Belle Baruch Foundation

Vice Chair & Inspection Chair

Eric Smith
Mead Westvaco

Past Chair

Johney Haralson
Double K Farms

Secretary/Treasurer 

Miles Knight
Forestry Comm. Rep

Co-Sponsor Representatives  

Dr. George D. Kessler,
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Clemson University Co-operation Extension Services

Miles Knight,
Forestry Comm. Rep
SC Forestry Commission

Frances Taylor,
SC Forestry Association

Committees

Inspections Committee
Publicity Committee
Master Tree Farmer Committee
Fund Raising Committee
Tours Committee