Looking for MFA’s Next Logger of the Year

nominations needed by September 3, 2010

Since it began in 1987, the LOY award program seeks to recognize excellence in forestry and is open to all independent wood fiber harvesting or logging contractors. Preference will be given to those actively participating in the MD/DE Master Logger Program.

Who can submit a nomination? Anyone! Forest Landowners, foresters, forest products companies and fellow loggers are all encouraged to submit a letter of nomination for any logger they feel exemplifies the best in logging contractors. You do not need to be an MFA member to nominate someone for this award.

Judging: The nominations will be judge by members of the MD/DE Master Logger Steering Committee on behalf of the MFA Board of Governors. Finalists judged by on-the-ground inspection visit by a 2 or 3 member team appointed by the Board.

Prizes: Laser engraved wooden plaque, complimentary registration and guest package for finalist (and spouse) at the MFA Annual Conference in November. The recipient will be nominated to the Forest Resources Association's (FRA's) Outstanding Logger Award Program.

Deadline: Nomination must be received by the MFA Office in Grantsville by September 3, 2010.

MFA Logger of the Year ~ Past Recipients
2009 - Furman Forest Services, LLC, Frostburg, MD
2008-Norm Nicol, Tree Family Logging, LLC , Frostburg, MD
2007 - R&S Logging, Millington, MD
2006 - Sines Logging, Friendsville, MD
2005 - Cessna Brothers Logging, Clearville, PA **
2004 - Curtis E. Clark & Sons Logging, Everett, PA
2003 - Paul Egolf, Low Country Timber Company, Stockton, MD
2002 - Beckman Lumber, Mt. Lake Park, MD
2001 - Steve Brown, Longridge, LLC , Fruitland, MD
2000 - Clyde "Stevie" Stevenson, Ota Stevenson, Inc., Salisbury, MD**
1999 - Calvin Dolan, Jr., Dolan Logging, Oldtown, MD
1998 - Phil MacDonald, Timber Harvest, Inc., Cordova, MD
1997 - David Earl Opel, Double D Logging, Frostburg, MD
1996 - Payne's Logging, Inc., Delmar, MD
1995 - Arthur Egolf, Egolf Forest Harvesting, Delmar, DE
1994 - Jim Lynch, L&W Harvesting, Inc., Mardella Springs, MD
1993 - Fred Glasglow, Glasglow Logging, Salisbury, MD
1992 - Richard R. Brown, Salisbury, MD
1991 - Greg VanMeter, VanMeter pulpwood Company, Bushwood, MD
1990 - Eddie Moore, Willards, MD
1989 - D&J Timber, Swanton, MD
1988 - C.W. Matthews & Sons, Laurel, DE
1987 - Wallace Johnson, Mechanicsville, MD**

** These loggers received FRA's Regional Outstanding Logger Award Wallace Johnson for the Appalachian Technical Division in 1988
"Stevie" Stevenson for the Southeastern Technical Division in 2001
Cessna Brothers Logging for the Appalachian Technical Division in 2006.

Francis "Champ" Zumbrun received Lifetime of Service Award

for steadfast commitment to promoting the guiding principals of forest conservation and stewardship to be presented to Francis "Champ" Zumbrun of LaVale, Maryland

Francis "Champ" Zumbrun retired after 31 years of service with the MD DNR Forest service. He began his career at the Allegany County Forest Project and then moved to Green Ridge State Forest in 1981, and became Forest Manager there in 1988. He has been a tireless promoter of scientific forest management, and has used the 46,000-acre mixed oak forests of Green Ridge to demonstrate ecologically sensitive management techniques. Aware of the opportunity that forest recreation offers in regard to helping citizens better understand the benefits that forests provide, Champ worked to get the Great Eastern Trail routed through Green Ridge State Forest, which no runs from the Potomac River to the Pennsylvania state line.
He is probably best known to his fellow MFA members as Maryland's own forest historian, complete with authentic 1930's era field uniform (pictured at right), his extensive research on the creation of Maryland state forest and park resource and its first state forester, Fred Besley, and his singing of the Smokey the Bear song.

Due to family needs, Champ was unable to attend the banquet,
so his award will be presented to him at a later time

Furman Forest Services, LLC has been named as the Maryland Forests Association Logger of the Yea

Furman Forest Services, LLC has been named as the Maryland Forests Association Logger of the Year for 2009. The family-run business has thirty years of experience in the wood products industry, and has operated in its current form since 2001. The Furmans are well known for their high standards in customer relations, their drive for innovation, and their dedication to getting the job done right.

Mark, Randy, and Matt leave every customer satisfied, and use practices that leave the job site at its highest potential to grow the next stand of timber. When heavy rain threatens to damage the soil if logging operations continue, the Furmans sacrifice productivity and shut down for the day. They often take extra time to leave the site just as the landowner requests, whether it be with a firewood pile or an additional circle drive, and always retire a site with adequate mulch and seed. On the rare occasion that a landowner has an issue or dispute after the job is closed out, the Furmans act quickly and professionally to right the wrong.

The Furmans keep a close watch on current market conditions as well as emerging trends. In order to operate in tight quarters with high efficiency, the Furmans recently purchased a John Deere 120 tracked feller/buncher. Only 8 feet wide, this machine helps them to complete thinning jobs quickly and with minimal damage to the residual stand. Products are sorted on the landing for as many as nine different markets from tops and branches to veneer. Their experience in harvesting and hauling tops and branches puts them ahead of the curve when the biomass market expands.

Mark and Randy have both been active Master Loggers since 2004, and also participate in New Page's Controlled Forest Management Certified Wood Program. These programs help set them apart from the competition, and ensure their clients that they are choosing loggers with up-to-date training and a history of good practices.

Furman Forest Services is located in Frostburg, Maryland (Allegany County). They were nominated by foresters Dan Hedderick of the MD DNR Forest Service and Juls Wood of Reynwood Forest Management Inc.

Who Will be MFA's Next Logger of the Year?

Nominations needed by July 1st.

Eligibility: The award program is open to all independent wood fiber harvesting or logging contractors. Preference will be given to those actively participating in the MD/DE Master Logger Program. (do not need to be a "Master Logger", but need to at least be actively working towards it.)

Judging: The nominations will be judge by members of the MD/DE Master Logger Steering Committee on behalf of the MFA Board of Governors. Finalists judged by on-the-ground inspection visit by a 2 or 3 member team appointed by the Board.

Prizes: Lase engraved wooden plaque, complimentary registration and guest package for finalist (and spouse) at the MFA Annual Meeting, and other awards donated by MFA sponsors. The finalist will also be nominated to either the Forest Resources Association's (FRA's) Appalachian Technical Division or Southeastern Technical Division Outstanding Logger Award Program.

Who can submit a nomination? Anyone! Forest Landowners, foresters, forest products companies and fellow loggers are all encouraged to submit a letter of nomination for any logger they feel exemplifies the best in logging contractors. You do not need to be an MFA member to nominate someone for this award.

Deadline:
Letters of nomination must be received by the MFA Office in Grantsville by July 1, 2009.

Past Recipients:
2008 Norm Nicol ~ Tree Family Logging, Frostburg, MD

• 2007 R&S Logging, Millington, MD 2006 Sines Logging, Friendsville, MD
• 2005 Cessna Brothers Logging, Clearville, PA **
• 2004 Curtis E. Clark & Sons Logging, Everett, PA
• 2003 Paul Egolf, Low Country Timber Company, Stockton, MD
• 2002 Beckman Lumber, Mt. Lake Park, MD
• 2001 Steve Brown, Lonngridge, LLC , Fruitland, MD
• 2000 Clyde "Stevie" Stevenson, Ota Stevenson, Inc., Salisbury, MD**
• 1999 Calvin Dolan, Jr., Dolan Logging, Oldtown, MD
• 1998 Phil MacDonald, Timber Harvest, Inc., Cordova, MD
• 1997 David Earl Opel, Double D Logging, Frostburg, MD
• 1996 Payne's Logging, Inc., Delmar, MD
• 1995 Arthur Egolf, Egolf Forest Harvesting, Delmar, DE
• 1994 Jim Lynch, L&W Harvesting, Inc., Mardella Springs, MD
• 1993 Fred Glasglow, Glasglow Logging, Salisbury, MD
• 1992 Richard R. Brown, Salisbury, MD
• 1991 Greg VanMeter, VanMeter pulpwood Company, Bushwood, MD
• 1990 Eddie Moore, Willards, MD
• 1989 D&J Timber, Swanton, MD
• 1988 C.W. Matthews & Sons, Laurel, DE
• 1987 Wallace Johnson, Mechanicsville, MD**

**These loggers have gone on to win the Forest Resources Association's
Regional Outstanding Logger of the Year Awards.
Wallace Johnson for the Appalachian Technical Division in 1988
"Stevie" Stevenson for the Southeastern Technical Division in 2001
Cessna Brothers Logging for the Appalachian Technical Division in 2006

Nominations sought for 2008 MFA Awards Program

Through its awards program, the Maryland Forests Association seeks to recognize significant achievement during 2007-2008 in seven major categories. Help us recognize pro-forestry efforts!

To be eligible for one of these awards, or to make a nomination, the person or organization need not be a member of the Maryland Forests Association. A person or organization can nominate themselves or their organization or it may be done by an outside party. The nominee must either reside in or conduct business in Maryland.

Send a brief note or e-mail description of why you think the nominee should be given the award in the appropriate category. Along with the description send the name of two individuals who will support the nomination. Send your nominations to:

Awards Committee
Maryland Forests Association
P.O. Box 599
Grantsville, MD 21536
Nominations may also be e-mailed to mdforests@hereintown.net

Deadline is September 14, 2008

AWARDS CATEGORIES

MFA LOGGER OF THE YEAR
The nominee must own or manage a logging operation. The operation should be an example of safety and show the quality of results commensurate with excellent forestry practices (Special deadline of July 1 applies).

OUTSTANDING FORESTRY ACTIVIST
This award will recognize the person or organization with significant accomplishments in promoting public education and acceptance of forest management and the forest products industry. The accomplishments should be in the form of campaigns, events, projects or activities aimed at audiences outside the forest products industry.

OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE FOREST COMMUNITY
This category is designed to recognize a person who has made exemplary contributions to the forest community from a technical, managerial or public relations point of view. The person's accomplishments need not be limited to those three broad areas.

OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP IN FORESTRY
The nominee should be a person who is in a position to give guidance and direction regarding forestry related issues through efficient operation of his/her own endeavor and through a role in forestry associations, task forces, committees, etc.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO FOREST CONSERVATION EDUCATION
The contributions to education can be technical, vocational, professional or aimed at the public-at-large. The nominee need not be an educator as long as the end result of his/her efforts are increased knowledge and understanding of forests, forestry, and the forest products industry.

OUTSTANDING MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES
The nominee may be either a forest landowner or someone responsible for a resource management program. The program can be on private or industrial land.

OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO MFA
This category is designed to recognize a person who has made exemplary contributions of his/her time and talents to the Maryland Forests Association and the advancement of MFA's mission.

Further details about the award and archive of past recipients is online at http://mdforests.org/awards.htm