COLUMBUS, OH - A husband and wife from Akron were named 2004 Ohio Tree Farmers of the Year by the Ohio Tree Farm Committee, according to the Ohio Department Natural Resources (ODNR).
The ODNR Division of Forestry nominated Scott and Krista Galloway, who own the 210-acre Burnt Ridge Tree Farm in Carroll County, for the award. The Galloways have dedicated their forest to the education of others in regard to proper forest management, improving wildlife habitat, and producing quality timber.
"The Galloways are passionate about practicing proper forest management and sharing that knowledge with the people around them," said John Dorka, chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry. The mission of the Ohio Tree Farm Program is to promote the growth of renewable forest resources on private lands, protect the environmental benefits of forests, and promote public understanding of these benefits.
The award is given annually to an outstanding tree farmer in the state. Jeremy Scherf, an ODNR service forester, also was presented the 2004 Tree Farm Inspector of the Year Award by the Ohio Tree Farm Committee.
A field day is planned for Saturday, October 9, at Burnt Ridge Tree Farm, which is about 13 miles east of New Philadelphia, to celebrate their award and showcase the forest management activities the Galloways practice. The event is free and open to the public.
To learn more about the Tree Farm Program, contact your local forester or visit ohiotreefarm.org. For more information on the Galloway's farm and their fall field day, visit burntridgetreefarm.com, or call Jeremy Scherf at 740-425-1100 extension 114.