In 1986, Jan and Dick Vollmer purchased 20 acres with a partially completed house at the very end of a long one-lane gravel road near Deming in Whatcom County. They finished the house and moved in. Over the years they added two more 20-acre parcels for a total of 60 acres. They hired a forester to write their first management plan, to give them Designated Forest Land status for tax purposes. They became ATFS certified in 2005. Their goals were to live in the woods, have a small silva-pasture for horses, and sustainably manage the woods with the occasional commercial harvest. Their son Fred grew up on the tree farm and says that is the best thing that ever happened to him. Jan and Dick became active in the Whatcom Chapter of Washington Farm Forestry Association. For the past 10 years, Jan has headed the chapter’s effort to have a 5th grade forestry tour at the DNR seed orchard in Whatcom County. She just ended a 3-year term as chapter president. Since Dick’s passing 3 years ago, Jan continues to live on
the tree farm with her horse Buddy, who follows her around during the day as she works maintaining the tree farm. Though Fred and his wife Annie live in Ohion on a tree farm of their own, he comes out on a regular basis to help his mom. Their long-term goal is to return and live in the place where he grew up.
Hollowarrow Tree Farm was nominated for 2026 Washington State Tree Farmer of the Year. The video that was produced for that nomination can be viewed here.