FELTON, Del. — The 2020 Delaware Forestry Association Annual Meeting and Banquet scheduled for Thursday, March 19 at the Felton Fire Hall in Felton, Delaware is now canceled. More info on the DFA is at: delawareforest.com
For updates on coronavirus in Delaware, go to de.gov/coronavirus
For more information on the cancellation, please contact: Steve Ditmer at 410-896-9283.
FELTON, Del. — The Delaware Forestry Association’s 2019 Annual Meeting and Banquet will be held on Thursday, March 21 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Felton Fire Hall (9 E. Main St., Felton, DE 19943) Highlights will include the Delaware Tree Farm Committee’s presentation of its 2019 “Tree Farmer of the Year” Award and recognition of 25-Year Tree Farmers. The American Tree Farm System was established in 1941 and is one of the oldest forest landowner organizations. Delaware’s first Tree Farm was certified in 1959; today there are more than 200 Tree Farms covering 20,000 acres.
The DFA will also hold its annual business meeting and elect its 2019 Board of Directors. Tickets are $27 each for adults, $13.50 for ages 6 to 12.
To reserve tickets, please download the 2019 Meeting Registration Form and mail to:
Delaware Forestry Association
P.O. Box 344
Bridgeville, Delaware 19933
For more information contact:
Steve Ditmer (phone: 410-896-9283)
Delaware Forestry Association Scholarship
Each year, the Delaware Forestry Association will award a $1,000 scholarship to a full-time student who has chosen forestry or a related major and plans to enroll at a two-year or four-year accredited school program. The application deadline is April 1 and the winner will be notified by May 1. The successful applicant will receive his or her award at the Delaware State Fair on Governor’s Day.
2018 Delaware Forestry Association Scholarship winner Shawn Mitchell (center) received a ceremonial $1,000 check at the Delaware State Fair joined by (from left) his father David Mitchell, DFA director Brian Michalski, his mother Mellissa Mitchell, Agriculture Secretary Michael Scuse, and Gov. John Carney.
Applicants must show financial need and academic merit. All applicants shall be in the top 25% of their class in high school, and maintain an acceptable grade point average in college. The award will be sent directly to the college in which the student is enrolled. All applicants must submit a short essay describing their personal goals and reason they feel they are deserving of this award. Applicants may be requested for a personal interview by the scholarship committee.
View the rules and download the 2019 Delaware Forest Association scholarship application
Applications may be mailed to:
Delaware Forestry Association
c/o Sam Topper
Delaware Forest Service
Redden State Forest
18074 Redden Forest Drive
Georgetown, DE 19947
The Delaware Forestry Association is inviting those interested in forestry to join the DFA or renew their membership for 2019. Members can select from one of the five membership categories and use the membership form to register.
Silent Auction … remains open until 7:45 pm
Fried Oysters, Chicken Salad, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Dumplings, Cole Slaw, Roll, Dessert, and Beverage
Announcement of Silent Auction Winners/Adjourn
HARRINGTON, Del. – Shawn Patrick Mitchell of Greenwood, a recent graduate of Sussex Tech who plans to study wildlife and fisheries at Frostburg State University, received the Delaware Forestry Association’s 2018 scholarship at the Delaware State Fair last week. Agriculture Secretary Michael T. Scuse and Governor John C. Carney were there to present the ceremonial check to Mitchell as his parents David and Melissa looked on. Once he earns his bachelor’s of science degree, Mitchell hopes to be a game warden or park ranger one day.
Mitchell already has a long list of achievements for which to be proud. A National Honor Society member at Sussex Tech, Mitchell achieved honor roll for every marking period—earning a cumulative GPA of 93.8. He has been very active in the 4-H program, serving as Vice-President of the State Teen Council for Delaware 4-H as well as President, Vice-President, and Treasurer of the Sussex County 4-H Junior Council. He has also been actively involved in athletics as a member of the freshman, J.V., and varsity lacrosse teams at Sussex Tech.
“I would like to return to Delaware after I earn my degree. I love being outside and I want to help preserve our parks for future generations to enjoy,” Mitchell said.
According to C. Douglas Crouse, State Program Leader for Delaware 4-H and Youth Development, Shawn has demonstrated the qualities needed to be a leader and a mentor:
“Shawn has shared his leadership skills as a counselor at many 4-H camps, including our State Environmental Camp. As a counselor for several years, Shawn serves in a role to assist younger members in helping to guide them and share knowledge that can be interesting and important to them. He is a people person and has great skills working with younger members. Shawn is an excellent role model and mentor for these younger youth and is well-respected by his peers, ” Crouse said.
BRIDGEVILLE, Del. – Douglas R. Simpson of Bridgeville is Delaware’s 2018 Tree Farmer of the Year for his longtime dedication to forest conservation and landowner education. Presented by the Delaware Tree Farm Committee, the award recognizes landowners who practice exceptional management and promote sustainable forestry. Simpson is a Delaware native who owns tree farms on approximately 700 acres in Sussex County, which were first certified in 1995. The award was given at the annual meeting and banquet of the Delaware Forestry Association at the Bridgeville Fire Hall.
Using comprehensive stewardship plans developed in partnership with the Delaware Forest Service, Simpson manages his forestland for natural beauty, wildlife habitat, water quality, and wood products. In 2009, three of his properties totaling 350 acres were selected in the initial round of conservation easements purchased in Delaware AgLands Foundation’s landmark Forestland Preservation Program; these Tree Farms are now permanently protected from development. In 2017, he exemplified his commitment to forest management education on the Delmarva Peninsula by hosting the 20-state Northeastern Area Association of State Foresters’ Cooperative Forest Management Committee at his state-of-the-art custom sawmill.
The Delaware Tree Farmer of the Year Award was presented by the Delaware Tree Farm Committee at the Delaware Forestry Association’s annual meeting in Bridgeville on March 22, 2018. The American Tree Farm System was established in 1941 and is one of the oldest forest landowner organizations. Delaware’s first Tree Farm was certified in 1959; today there are more than 200 Tree Farms covering over 20,000 acres.
For more information, contact Laura Yowell, 302-856-2893 or laura.yowell@delaware.gov.
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BRIDGEVILLE, Del. – The Delaware Forestry Association (DFA) will present its 2018 “Tree Farmer of the Year” award on Thursday, March 22, at its annual banquet and meeting at the Bridgeville Fire Hall, 311 Market Street, Bridgeville, Delaware 19933, (302) 337-7272. Tickets are $27 for adults, $13.50 for children ages six to 12, and free for children under six. Reservations are kindly requested by March 16.
Registration forms are available online in the current edition of the DFA Winter Newsletter. Checks should be made payable to the “Delaware Forestry Association” and sent to: Delaware Forestry Association, P.O. Box 344, Bridgeville, DE 19933. For more information, contact: Steve Ditmer (phone: 410-896-9283).
The 2018 DFA Meeting Agenda:
Delaware’s Tree Farm Committee is part of the American Tree Farm System, founded more than 75 years ago to recognize landowners who practice proper forest stewardship by developing comprehensive management plans for diverse objectives such as wood products, wildlife habitat, water quality, and recreation.
Highlights from the 2017 DFA Annual Meeting and Tree Farmer of the Year Award
The Delaware Forestry Association is also offering its annual $1000 scholarship to a student who chooses forestry or a related major at a two-year or four-year accredited college or university. Applications are due by April 1 and the winner will be notified by May 1. Students will be eligible for up to 4 years of undergraduate study, upon reapplying, meeting the requirements, and being selected. All applicants must show financial need and academic merit. All applicants shall be in the upper 25% of their class in high school and maintain at least a 2.75 grade point average in college, based on a 4.0 scale. Scholarship money can be applied toward tuition, room and board, or books. The money will be sent directly to the college in which the student is enrolled. All applicants must submit a short essay describing their personal goals and reasons they feel they are deserving of this award. Applicants may be requested for a personal interview by the scholarship committee. The successful applicant will receive his or her award on Governor’s Day at the Delaware State Fair in Harrington.
Application forms can be downloaded at: http://delawareforest.com/scholarship. For more information, contact: Sam Topper at (302) 856-2893 or sam.topper@delaware.gov.
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