Brian Michalski was named the 2014 Delaware Tree Farmer of the Year at the recent annual meeting of the Delaware Forestry Association held in Bridgeville. Michalski owns a 59-acre tree farm near Greenwood in Sussex County that became a certified Delaware Tree Farm in 1997 and was recertified in 2010. An active Tree Farm inspecting forester since 2001, Michalski also chaired the Delaware Tree Farm Program Committee from 2000 to 2003. Currently, he is President of the Delaware Forestry Association, a post he has held for about four years.

As a procurement forester for Hardwood Mills – based in Millington, Maryland – Michalski has actively managed his 59-acre tree farm largely through his own efforts. The property, which consists of 30 acres of mixed upland/wetland hardwoods and 29 acres of native pine trees, is operated under an active Forest Stewardship Plan. Previous management activities include:

•  2013 = TSI (timber stand improvement) on 10 acres of hardwood by himself – girdling & chemical application
• 2011 = 25 acres of pine aerial sprayed with Arsenal
• 2010 = 25 acres of pine pre-commercial thinned, residues left at site
• 2005 = 5 acres of pine TSI
• 2004 = spot planted Bald cypress and Loblolly pine throughout woodland
• 2002 = spot planted about 2,000 pine trees
• 2001 = pine area intensely managed, 25 acres of pine plantation established, aerial application of Arsenal
• TSI in hardwoods to release oaks, yellow-poplar and gums

Delaware’s program is affiliated with the American Tree Farm System, which was established in 1942. As a program of the American Forest Foundation (AFF), the American Tree Farm System focuses on the long-term sustainability of America’s forests in ecological and economic terms. The vision statement of AFF states, “AFF is committed to creating a future where North American forests are sustained by the public that understand and values the social, economic, and environmental benefits they provide to our communities, our nation, and the world. The network of over 90,000 woodland owners is organized through state committees and governed at the national level. Currently 45 of the 50 states have committees.

For more information about the Delaware Tree Farm Program, contact Dot Abbott at (302) 730-4000. Email: dotad@udel.edu

 The Delaware Forestry Association (DFA) will present its 2014 Tree Farmer of the Year Award at its annual meeting on Thursday, March 27, 2014 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Bridgeville Fire Hall, 311 Market St., Bridgeville, DE 19933,  (302) 337-7272.

Tickets are $27 for adults and $12.50 for children ages 6 to 12. (Checks should be payable to “Delaware Forestry Association” – Mailing address: P.O. Box 344, Bridgeville, Delaware 19933). For more information contact: Steve Ditmer (phone: 410-896-9283). Please register by March 24.

DFA is a nonprofit organization established in 1982 to promote the sustainable practice of forestry and related industries on the Delmarva Peninsula. The association is a proud supporter of the Delaware Tree Farm Committee, part of the American Tree Farm System. For more information on the Delaware Tree Farm Committee, contact Dorothy Abbott at dotad@udel.edu or (302) 730-4000.

In addition to its annual meeting in March, DFA holds a number of educational events throughout the year and also supports scholarships and grants to encourage young people to pursue careers and further educational opportunities in forestry and natural resources.

Forestry Scholarship Deadline: April 1
Once again this year, the Delaware Forestry Association will award a $1000 scholarship to a full-time student who must choose forestry as their studies major and be accepted or enrolled in a two-year or four-year accredited school program. Complete instructions and application forms  are available at delawareforest.com and must be received by April 1. 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 Fairgrounds.

Applications can be mailed to Delaware Forestry Association, c/o John Herbert, 20587 Milton-Ellendale Hwy., Ellendale, DE  19941.

Delaware Forestry Association Annual Meeting Agenda

• 5:30 p.m. – Registration & Social Hour
  – Silent Auction … remains open till 7:45 pm
• 7:00 p.m. – Buffet-style Dinner
  Oven Fried Oysters, Crab Cakes, Roast Beef, Mash Potatoes, Dumplings, Cole Slaw, Green Bean Casserole, Rolls & Butter, Dessert, Beverage
• 8:00 p.m. – Welcome
  – DFA Business Meeting
  – Election of 2014-2015 DFA Board Directors
  – Delaware Tree Farmer-of-the-Year Awards
  – Delaware Forest Service – Forestry Administrator’s Update
• 9:00 p.m.  – Wrap-up; Announcement of Silent Auction Winners and Adjourn

Those who wish to donate items to the silent auction are asked to please bring them.

Invading Your Forest – Woodland Management Workshop
at Delaware Ag. Week on Jan. 17 at Delaware State Fairgrounds

“Invading Your Forest,” a workshop on managing invasive species in Delaware woodlands, will be held on Friday, January 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the ACE building-Delaware State Fairgrounds, Harrington. The program is designed for forest landowners, forest businesses, community ‘open-space’ managers, and anyone interested in learning more about Mile-A-Minute Weed, Kudzu, Porcelainberry, Japanese Hop, Wisteria, Asian Longhorned Beetle, Emerald Ash Borer and other non-native invaders encroaching into Delaware forestland.

Attendees will learn techniques for identifying and eradicating invasive plants and pests from members of the Delaware Invasive Species Council, University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Delaware Department of Agriculture, USDA-Natural Resources Service, USDA-Agriculture Research Service, Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control and ‘experienced’ landowners.

This workshop is sponsored by the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, Delaware Forestry Association and Delaware Tree Farm Program as part of the 2014 Delaware Agricultural Week, which begins January 13. The annual event provides numerous educational opportunities for those interested in agriculture production: from bees to livestock, irrigation to pasture management, and fruit to vegetables. All educational events will be hosted at the Delaware State Fairgrounds, in Harrington. For more information on all activities surrounding Delaware AG Week, visit the website: http://sites.udel.edu/delawareagweek/

Preregistration for the woodland management workshop is required by either calling the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension-Kent County office @ 302-730-4000 or emailing Dot Abbott @ dotad@udel.edu  

Media Contact: Dot Abbott (302) 730-4000
Email: dotad@udel.edu
University of Delaware Cooperative Extension
69 Transportation Circle, Dover, Delaware 19901