Delaware forestry banquet is March 21 in Felton; College scholarship offered

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.

Student $ 5.00
Harvester $ 50.00
Individual $15.00
Corporation $200.00
Family $25.00

2019 Delaware Forestry Association Annual Meeting Agenda

6:00 p.m. — Registration & Social Hour

Silent Auction … remains open until 7:45 pm

7:00 p.m. — Buffet-Style Dinner

Fried Oysters, Chicken Salad, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Dumplings, Cole Slaw, Roll, Dessert, and Beverage

8:00 p.m. — Welcome

DFA Annual Business Meeting
Election of 2018-2019 DFA Board of 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/Adjourn

If you can DONATE items to the Silent Auction, please bring them or contact a DFA Board Director
We will receive 2019 DFA Membership dues at the door, or pre-send them with meeting registration

Sussex Tech’s Mitchell earns DFA forestry scholarship

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.

Delaware Forestry Association annual meeting is March 22 in Bridgeville; Scholarship applications due by April 1.

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:

5:30 p.m. Registration & Social Hour
– Silent Auction … remains open until 7:45 pm ***
6:30 p.m. Buffet-Style Dinner
– Crab Cakes, Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Dumplings, Cole Slaw, Green Bean Casserole, Rolls & Butter, Dessert, Beverage
7:30 p.m. Welcome
– DFA Business Meeting
– Election of 2018-2019 DFA Board Directors
– Delaware Tree Farmer-of-the-Year Award
– Delaware Forest Service – Forestry Administrator’s Update
8:30 p.m. Wrap-up/Announcement of Silent Auction Winners/Adjourn

*** If you can DONATE items to the Silent Auction, please bring them or contact a DFA Board Director

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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Delaware Forestry Association holds annual meeting on March 23 in Bridgeville; offers $1,000 forestry scholarship

Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the Delaware Forestry Association (DFA) will present its 2017 “Tree Farmer of the Year” award on Thursday, March 23 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 and free for children under 12. Reservations are kindly requested by March 17. Registration forms are available 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.

Highlights from the 2016 DFA Annual Meeting and Tree Farmer of the Year Award

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.

Agenda:

5:30 p.m. – Registration & Social Hour (Silent Auction remains open until 7:45 p.m.)
7:00 p.m. – Country-Style Dinner: Crab Cakes, Oven-fried Chicken, Roast Beef Au Jus, Beef Dumplings, Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Cole Slaw, Rolls & Butter, Dessert, Beverages (Coffee, Ice or Hot Tea, Water)

DFA Business Meeting

8:00 p.m. – Welcome
- Election of 2017-2018 DFA Board Directors
- Delaware Tree Farmer-of-the-Year Award
- Delaware 25th Anniversary Tree Farmer Recognition
- Delaware Forest Service – Forestry Administrator’s Update
9:00 p.m. Wrap-up – Announcement of Silent Auction Winners – Adjourn

Attendees who are able to donate items to the Silent Auction are asked to please bring them or contact a DFA Board Director. To expedite the evening’s activities, DFA members are asked to pre-send 2017 DFA Membership dues with their reservation forms.

Delaware Tree Farmer of the Year named on March 27

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.