COLUMBUS, OH - Carroll County residents Scott and Krista Galloway will open their 210-acre family-owned forest for public tour on Saturday, October 9. Earlier this year, the Galloways were recognized as the 2004 Ohio Tree Farmer of the Year, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
The Galloways, who were nominated for the annual award by the ODNR Division of Forestry, have dedicated their stewardship efforts to the education of others in proper forest management, improving wildlife habitat, and producing quality timber. The event is free and will be held at the Galloway’s Burnt Ridge Tree Farm from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The tour will highlight various forest management activities on the award-winning farm, including several different types of timber harvests, wildlife management, and pond management. There will be activities for kids and a chainsaw cutting competition for adults. The East Central Ohio Forestry Association will be demonstrating split rail fence making by hand.
The mission of the Ohio Tree Farm System, which oversees the annual award program, is to promote the growing of renewable forest resources on private lands while protecting the environment, and increasing public understanding of all benefits of productive forestry.
To register for the tour, visit burntridgetreefarm.com or call the Carroll County Soil and Water Conservation District office at 330-627-9852. Pre-registration is encouraged. Those who register are entered into a drawing for a special Stihl product to be held at noon the day of the tour. For more information on the Tree Farm Program, contact your local forester, or visit ohiotreefarm.org