Tree Farm Field Day!

You could not have asked for a better October day than we had in Wayne County Illinois today for Gary and Debbie Stratton's Tree Farm Field Day.  Gary and Debbie were the Tree Farmers of the year in 2017 for Illinois, and today they hosted a party at their Tree Farm for all who are interested in growing trees.  Activities included a portable sawmill, invasive species identification and control, prescribed burning benefits, timber marketing, a fishing derby for kids, chainsaw maintenance, chainsaw use in falling trees, campfire, coffee, and free donuts!

                Gary and Debbie Stratton with Jay Hayek, University of Illinois Extension Forester.

                             
                                    Tree Farmers who have been active in forestry for 25 years.

                                          Susan won a Smokey Bear poster as a door prize!

                     Believe it or not, the chainsaw instructor won the raffle for a Stihl chainsaw!

The Fairfield Forestry District has always been a busy place, with very low turnover in foresters.  Mel Gerardo opened the office during the 1950's.  Mel was a Marine vet, and was one of the Chosin Frozens.  He ran the Anna-Jonesboro nursery when he left the Fairfield office.  Rick Moore was the next District Forester; he was a Vietnam vet.  Gary Stratton followed Rick, and I was the D.F. from 1988 to 2017.  Jenny Lesko has been there for a year now, and she is really getting into the job.  I hope she is there for many years. The Fairfield district has had several Illinois Tree Farmers of the Year.  Bernard and Mike Podolsky, Jack and Beth Riley, Terry Wheeler, and the Strattons were the award winners during my years at Fairfield.