By Jeffrey Bracken, Inspecting Forester, Verso

Allen M. Glasgow is a tree farmer who takes a passionate and proactive approach in caring for his forestland. Through many years of failures and successes he has learned a few things on how to grow hardwood trees. Allen is so knowledgeable, and willing to share his experiences, that a friend of mine described him as "a guru in planting and growing hardwood seedlings!" That description is very accurate, since one definition of a guru is "a trusted counselor and adviser, a mentor." If a landowner wants to be counseled, advised or mentored on how to plant and grow hardwood trees...then Allen M. Glasgow is the person to listen to.

Dr. Glasgow began his tree farming experience in 1983 when he and his wife, Mary, purchased their first piece of land in Hampshire County, West Virginia. As a retired physician Allen wanted a property that he and his family could go to for fun and recreation. Over the years, he and Mary purchased a few more adjoining parcels to create Turkey Run Tree Farm, a 241-acre property on the Cacapon River in the northeastern corner of Hampshire County. It didn’t take long for Allen to begin planting trees in the open fields between the farm house and Cacapon River to benefit the wildlife and to create future crop trees.

CALDWELL, WV --- Michael Dale Dowdy, 36, of Caldwell, WV, passed away Friday, January 30, 2015, following injuries sustained in a logging accident. Born August 5, 1978, at Fairlea, WV, he was the son of Lewis and Dorothy Boggs Dowdy of Glace, WV. Mike was a 1997 graduate of James Monroe High School. He played football and baseball all his life. He was a kindhearted man who would do anything for anyone who needed him. He was always very happy and always made time for his wife and kids. Mike was a great father and loved playing with his kids. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, and working on his home. He was a logger and loved being in the woods. He really enjoyed being involved with his kid’s sports such as football, baseball, and cheerleading.

Walker Caterpillar is the first of our "Champions of Forestry!" Walker Cat has chosen to host the breakfast at this year's A.B. Brooks Symposium, on Wednesday. Be sure and thank their representatives as you see and greet them at the event and on the job. The Champions of Forestry is a new avenue we are exploring to finance our public communications campaign and to give recognition to those who support our industry, our jobs and our families with the work they do as our partners in the forest products industry.

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