Upcoming Meeting: April 19, 2022
Forest Land Valuation, by Ryan Parker. 7 pm, at Veterans Memorial Museum
Report on March 15, 2022 Meeting
If you missed the presentation by Kelly Verd and Kenna Fosnacht's What's happening in the Lewis County Conservation District, it can be viewed on YouTube.
Report on Meeting of February 15, 2022
The first indoor educational meeting of the Lewis County Farm Forestry Association in almost 2 years was held at the Veterans Memorial Museum. Following the election of officers, members of the O'Neill family, owners of Hemphill O'Neil Company, were presented with a cedar sign and recognized as Lewis County Tree Farmers of the Year for 2022. The presentation that was given about their property can be viewed here.
Jenny Knoth, member of the Ag/Forestry Leadership Program Class 41 gave a presentation about their international trip to Cambodia and Vietnam in early 2020. It can be viewed here.
Upcoming Meetings
Educational programs are planned for March and April, in person at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis.
- March 15: Kelly Verd - Lewis County Conservation District projects. They are actively seeking tree planting sites along streams.
- April 19: Ryan Parker - Forest land valuation
Three twilight tours have been scheduled for the summer.
- June 21: B&D Tree Farm, Bryon & Donna Loucks, featuring a recently installed fence for protection of cedar from deer
- July 19: Tour of Reggie Hamilton's property and picnic
- August 16: Tour of Hemphill O'Neill parcel
Cultural Resources protected by Spogens
LCFFA member Lorie Spogen was featured in a recent article in The Chronicle for the preservation of an old cemetery on forest land that she and her husband Mark purchased. We think of "cultural resources" as Native American artifacts, but the graves and headstones of early pioneer settlers are also cultural sites that should be preserved. Read the full article here.
In Memoriam
Dennis Hadaller, LCFFA member and former Lewis County Commissioner, passed away December 28, 2021. He was involved in the logging industry for his whole life and once served as president of the Washington Contract Loggers Association. Read his obituary here.
In Memoriam
Boyd Wilson, LCFFA member, former WFFA State President, retired DNR forester, and Lewis County Tree Farmer of the Year in 2014 passed away August 9, 2021. Read his full obituary here. A memorial service will be held at noon, September 11, 2021, in the Burfoot Park, Olympia. Further details can be obtained from his daughter Cindy Wilson, 4541 86th Ave NE, Olympia, WA 98516. Bookwoman99@hotmail.com 360 561-0524
In Memoriam
Audrey Oxley passed away July 10, 2021. She and her husband Derald were active members in Lewis County Farm Forestry Association for over 50 years. Derald first served as President in 1959 and again in 1974, and served as treasurer for many more years. They lived on their Fir Acres Tree Farm, which was recognized as Lewis County Tree Farmer of the Year in 1998.
Report on August Tour at Chuck and Nan Higgins Tree Farm
Over 80 members and guests attended a brief presentation by Washington Tree Farm Program's Bob Obideski to Chuck and Nan Higgins in front of the large Washington State Tree Farmer of the Year sign that had been delivered to them earlier. Then Chuck led a tour of the property and described many of the difficulties he has had establishing a vigorous forest in areas that were poorly stocked and overgrown.
Report on July Tour and Picnic at the Cowlitz Ridge Tree Farm
The 75 attendees were divided into 3 groups who took different routes around the Cowlitz Ridge parcel. Ann Stinson and Lou Jean Clark led walking tours, while Doug Stinson narrated the group that rode in trailers. Following the tour, participants enjoyed getting together for the first time in many months around a potluck dinner.