Spring 2002 Volume II, Number 1
PROMINENT AREA FARMERS: WAYNE AND BETTY BESSINGER 2001 STATE CHARLES DEAM AWARD WINNERS
DONATES CASH PRIZE TO POTOWATOMI WILDLIFE PARK
The Indiana Forest and Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA) honored Wayne and
Betty Bessinger as the 2001 State Charles Deam Award Winner at their Annual
Meeting this past November. IFWOA annually honors the outstanding Indiana forest
owner who follows Charles Deam's example and demonstrates exceptional
stewardship of their woodlands. As a district winner, nominated by consulting
forester, Bruce Wakeland, the Bessingers competed against four other district
winners for this honor. In honor of being selected, the Bessingers received a
beautiful plaque and sign and a monetary gift, which Wayne graciously donated to
the Potowatomi Wildlife Park. Wayne is in charge of developing the Potowatomi
Wildlife Park in Tippecanoe Township and served as president of the board and is
continuing as the Park's director.
In 1975, the Bessingers purchased their original 80-acre farm in Tippecanoe
Township and started to expand and develop it into the Hillfarm Wildlife Refuge.
Wayne retired from farming in 1994 to pursue his interest and love of the land.
They still have posture for beef cowherds but their farm now consists of 340
acres, with 13 constructed ponds, marshes, and fields of wild flowers, prairie
grass, trees, wildlife shrubs, and six miles of walking trails. There have been
more than 200,000 trees and wildlife shrubs planted on this farm. The wooded
acres, which include tree plantations, have benefited from timber stand
improvement practices over the years. Furthermore, the wooded area includes a
Maple syrup camp, where syrup is made annually and sold in their gift shop. This
property is also home to a large prairie grass planting, where prescribed
burning is done every three years. Wayne's objectives for his woodlands include
wildlife habitat, timber production and recreation. From 1979-80, Wayne and son
Clint built a log home on this farm where the Bessingers presently live and have
run a bed and breakfast for the past 14 years so folks can enjoy the land they
have nurtured. The deck of the log home overlooks a new 9,000 gallon watergarden
which is just one of the spectacular features on this beautiful piece of
property. They have a resident flock of Giant Canada Geese which nest and raise
their young there and many other kinds of animals and waterfowl, such as deer,
ducks, herons, and songbirds. There are trails with scenic overlooks along the
water's edge, through the trees, shrubs and fields of prairie grass and
wildflowers. This is truly a bird-watcher and photographer's delight! They also
participate in the Certified Tree Farm Program and the Classified Forest
Program. The Bessingers are very active when it comes to offering their
woodlands for educational purposes. They work with IDNR and Purdue University on
field planting trials, in 2000 they held a Four-County Field Day, and they give
countless field tours to guests. In fact, the IFWOA will be hosting their
first annual summer field day at Wayne and Betty's Tree Farm in Tippecanoe, IN
on July 20, 2002. Participants at this field day are in for a treat, as this
property offers a variety of natural resource delights!
Wayne has worn many hats in his lifetime besides being a farmer. In the past he
served as a Sunday school superintendent, Sunday school teacher, youth director,
trustee, and chairman of the administrative Board of the Albright United
Methodist. Presently, he is a member of the First United Methodist Church of
Bourbon and serves on the pastor-parish committee. He is a past director and
post president of the Indiana Forest and Woodland Owner's Association and is now
an honorary board member. He served on the Marshall County Plan Commission for
22 years, and has been a past president of the board. He still serves on the
commission. Wayne is also a member of Ducks Unlimited, Quail Unlimited,
president of the Bourbon Lions Club and a director of the Marshall County
Foundation where he serves on the grants committee. Wayne has received numerous
awards for farming and conservation efforts. 'These include Outstanding
Conservation Achievement Award by the County Soil and Water Conservation in 1970
and being named Marshall County's Outstanding Conservation Farmer in 1976. He
was also named, Area I Soil Conservation Farmer of the Year by Indiana Farm
Bureau in 1980- Master Farmer Conservationist in Indiana at Purdue in 1992;
Conservationist of the Year by Ducks Unlimited; Indiana's Conservationist of the
Year by Indiana Department of Natural Resources for devotion and dedication of
our natural resources.
IFWOA's goal is to bring these excellent standards to the attention of other woodland owners and the general public through the Deam Award. Congratulations, Wayne and Betty, for helping IFWOA perpetuate this ideal. You are truly stewards of the woodlands!