In 1987 John Henrikson convinced his brothers Richard, Robert, and Jack to join him in purchasing a 140-acre rundown bankrupt dairy farm near Oakville in Grays Harbor County, so he could have a place to live. Their intent was to build a retreat center. They had their work cut out for them with all the blackberries and broken-down buildings. Winter storms caused trees to break. John set about reconditioning the buildings, getting a forest management plan for the 100-acre wooded portion, becoming certified with ATFS in 2001. Jack moved to the farm shortly thereafter.
John started a custom hardwood milling and sales operation. At the urging of Sherry Fox, he became active in the administration of the Washington Tree Farm Program. He now serves on the DNR Small Forest Landowner Office Advisory Committee and the National ATFS Standards Committee. After nearly 40 years of hard work, Wild Thyme Farm has been tamed and is now a beautifully well-managed tree farm. The retreat center is still in the works but is closer to reality.
The Lewis County Farm Forestry Association named John as the 2025 Lewis County Tree Farmer of the Year and toured the Wild Thyme Farm in July 2025. A handout was prepared for that tour and an article was published about the farm in The Chronicle.
At the WFFA Annual Meeting in May 2026, John was recognized as the 2026 Washington State Tree Farmer of the Year and presented with a large cedar sign.
A video about the property that was prepared by the Washington Tree Farm Program can be viewed here.
Read the article about the Washington State Tree Farmer of the Year award was published in The Daily World, June 22, 2026 and the article published in The Chronicle, August 15, 2026, after a tour on the property to celebrate their recognition as Washington State Tree Farmer of the Year.
