Draft Minutes WV Tree Farm Committee Meeting - July 9

The financial report was presented. See attached. Barb McWhorter noted that this report only covers the period through April 2014. She further noted that she only reports income and payments that are indicated on the "Find Reports," which had been provided by WVFA in the past. Barb stated that she is currently working with Frank Stewart to secure the May and June find reports. Mona Griswold asked whether we give inspectors financial awards. VA Tree Farm committee gives cash awards to non-VDOF personnel and, in the past, has awarded timber tokens to VDOF personnel in lieu of cash. They redeem the tokens for gift items. The timber token system is currently under review by VDOF. Rick Persinger made a motion to accept the financial report as presented.  Todd Carnell seconded the motion. The motion carried by voice vote. 

Inspection Summary – Required Sample – two of the 21 required inspections have been completed. Rick Persinger turned in two more today. That will leave 17 to complete. Jim Mitchell also reported that five re-inspections and one new inspection had been completed.  Jim urged all in attendance to help get the remaining required inspections done as early as possible. A discussion regarding what management plans were lacking during last year’s assessment ensued. Barb McWhorter noted that a $100 quarterly incentive payment from AFF should be received at the WVFA office soon.

Old Business

Tree Farmer of the Year – Rick Persinger will be at the Saturday luncheon at the WVFA Annual Meeting to introduce and present a plaque to Tree Farmer of the Year Steve Antoline. It was noted that Stihl no longer provides chainsaws to Tree Farmers of the Year. Cinda Francis asked about protective gear. Frank Stewart said that protective gear had not been provided. Juergen discussed the regional nomination that had been done for Bill Slagle. He will provide a copy to Rick Persinger. There was discussion about doing tour on the Antoline property. Rick Persinger and Dave McGill will discuss the possibility of a "Walk in the Woods" tour on the Antoline Tree Farm. Rick will do regional nomination for Steve Antoline. Rick Persinger will also give brief description of the WV Tree Farm Program when he introduces Steve Antoline at the WVFA Annual Meeting.

 

Inspector Training – Inspector training was provided in October 2013 in conjunction with a WV Forest Stewardship Training session. This training was required by the Tree Farm grant. Another training session will likely be needed after new standards come out.

Grant – As part of required action after the 2013 assessment, WV Tree Farm Committee received a $10,000 grant. The committee needs to show a $5,000 match. As part of the grant, postcards (in three separate batches) were to be sent to all WV Tree Farmers. These would be used to determine who was still interested in participating in the Tree Farm Program. Originally, Hope Goff, former WVFA secretary, was sending these postcards out from the WVFA office. With her resignation, it is unclear as to how many postcards have been sent out and/or returned. There also appears to be an issue between the use of an Excel and Lotus spreadsheet to record the results. Former Chairman, Charles McNeel, had made a verbal contract with Hope to complete this work after her resignation. Rick Persinger stated he would like to honor the verbal contract. Cinda Francis stated would be glad to go work with Elizabeth in the WVFA office on this issue. Jerry Waybright made a motion that Rick Persinger, Cinda Francis, Hope Goff and Frank Stewart will work as a committee to complete the items necessary for the grant. Rudy Williams seconded the motion. Work to complete the grant will begin after the WVFA Annual Meeting as there is a deadline to complete it by the end of the year.  

Scholarship – Two applications were received this year. Emily Hathaway was selected. Frank Stewart was unclear whether Emily would attend the awards luncheon at the annual meeting. Frank Stewart indicated that he had certificates for Jim Mitchell to sign. Barb McWhorter noted that in the past WVFA had made the $500 check for each semester payable to the school and not the person. She also stated that WVFA had required a proof of enrollment/GPA to make the second semester check available to the school. Barb noted that a check to Emily’s school would probably be needed in late July or August. 

Silent Auction – Frank Stewart reported that Becky Metz will handle the Silent Auction at the annual meeting. He was taking the few items they had received to date with him to the meeting.

Leadership Webinar – Cinda Francis attended 6/19 leadership webinar – 2014 Assessment – other states using the management plan addendum, but missing things such as high value conservation. Some database nonconformity was also revealed. There will be training on the database on July 23. Elizabeth and Frank Stewart were encouraged to participate. It was also noted that we need to find out who has access to WV database and what the status of Hope’s access is and will be, as a contractor. They would like to know if there is landowner interest in the prospect category for Tree Farmers. They would also like state to start promoting that status. The new standards are in a public response period, now, with board approval expected in November. WV will have to make a "States Voice-States Choice" decision. A strategic planning session is also required by end of 2015. This would most likely be a two-day event lead by AFF staff. Members of WVU could lead a shorter session locally. Dave McGill will contact Mike Burns in the national office and ask if the strategic planning has to be led by TF leadership or can it be provided by someone else, whether the whole committee has to be involved, and if a template is available. Dave Halley is another possibility for contact regarding this. They are working to make the national database more user-friendly. It may have a way to check for bad addresses. The TF Leadership Conference will be 2/2-5/15 in Saint Louis. The year 2016 will be gold/diamond TF anniversary – they are asking that states consider special activities. The next leadership webinar will be September 11, 2014.

Newsletter – The last issue was mailed in May 2014. There should be four editions per year.  Everyone should send items for inclusion. Items from the annual meeting could be included in an August newsletter.

 

Other – There is growing frustration due to the lack of new volunteers and that certified wood hasn’t helped landowners in WV. Terry Jones would like to consider other alternatives to recognition. Managed timberland may be a possible tie-in.

New Business

WVDOF Participation –  See letter attached – Rudy Williams reported financial cuts have caused the need for WVDOF to step back from TF inspections, after the end of the year. WVDOF will complete the required inspections for this year. There is no commitment for next year. It was noted how much the WVDOF participation in the past has been appreciated. It was also noted that WVDOF should be contacted before a property they had previously inspected was reassigned. It was asked if WVDOF will still be able to write management plans for landowners who are interested in the Tree Farm program. Terry Jones made a motion that Juergen Wildman be the WVDOF representative on the WV Tree Farm Committee and remain as the Area Chair until a replacement can be found. Jerry Waybright seconded the motion. The motion carried by voice vote.

Russ Richardson added that perhaps a traditional education element be added to the committee – WVU, Glenville State College, professors etc. Valerie Grant added that there may be opportunities for SAF or Forestry Clubs to participate in some sort of Tree Farm related activities if one were organized. 

Committee Positions – Jim Mitchell is the Vice-Chairman and currently acting as the Chairman. He is not interested in being Chairman, but he will remain as the Vice-Chair and help in anyway. The possibility of Co-Chairs was discussed.  A replacement for Barb McWhorter as Secretary/Treasurer is also needed. She had reported her need to step down at the April 2014 meeting. Glen Juergens and Cinda Francis were suggested as possibilities for leadership positions. Terry Jones, Cinda Francis and Rick Persinger will oversee the selection process. 

The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, October 22, 2014, at the Waffle Hut, Flatwoods, at 10:00 a.m.

Rick Persinger made a motion to adjourn. Jerry Waybright seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 12:40 p.m.

Those in attendance had lunch courtesy of the WV Tree Farm Committee. 

Submitted by:

Barb McWhorter 

Acting as the Secretary/Treasurer