Indiana Tree Farm is proud to announce it has a regional winner! Robert Woodling, a Tree Farm member since 1992 has been chosen as the Regional Tree Farmer of the Year by ATFS (American Tree Farm System).

Indiana is part of the 10-state North Central region. Representing Indiana, he was chosen above the other two finalists from Wisconsin and Kentucky. Robert and Linnea now face the other finalists for National Tree Farmer of the Year from the other three regions in the United States: Northeast (New Jersey), South (Georgia), and West (Colorado).

This is quite an accomplishment for the owners of a 100-acre tract in northeast Monroe County. Robert and Linnea have worked feverishly for many years improving and developing the attributes now found within their Tree Farm. The steep, difficult terrain has required Robert to develop an advanced forest road system, purchase specialized harvest equipment (used to sustain his wood processing facility), and take necessary steps to prevent run-off into the fragile watershed that feeds Lake Lemon.Some of the features that impressed the regional ATFS judges included:

• The overall management planning of the Tree Farm.

• Robert’s willingness to broaden his understanding of resource management by employing the use of multiple professionals.

• His commitment to take on leadership roles at various natural resource organizations.

• Robert’s attained knowledge of the resource and ability to clearly articulate forest management principals.

• The outreach provided via field days and tours, especially those geared toward educating local elementary students.

• A bio-diesel manufacturing facility he built where the  diesel produced fuels his operation. Linnea’s green houses that propagate many native plants sold locally.

• The efficient sawmill/kiln/wood processing facility he  built on site.

All regional winners will be introduced this September at the National Tree Farm Convention in Washington DC. During the awards banquet the national winner will be announced. After being nominated by Consulting Forester John Stambaugh, Robert was selected as the 2007 Indiana State Tree Farmer of the Year and this award was presented at the IHLA (Indiana Hardwood Lumberman’s Association) annual meeting. IHLA is the primary sponsor of Indiana’s Tree Farm program.

All of us who practice natural resource management in Indiana should be proud of what they have accomplished. Robert has said many times that he considers the forestry community part of his family and once you meet him and Linnea you quickly find out how true a statement that is.