October 16, 2008
Charles Dismukes, of Kilmichael, received the Meritorious Service to Forestry Award given by Mississippi Forestry Association (MFA) on October 16, at their Annual Meeting in Choctaw. The Meritorious Service to Forestry Award is the most prestigious award presented by MFA and recognizes Dismukes for his dedication to forestry during his entire career. Dismukes was chosen by a distinguished panel of his peers who have previously been so honored by MFA.
Dismukes received a B.S. in forestry from MSU in 1961. He is a registered forester in Mississippi and Alabama, an active member of the MSU Forestry Alumni Association, a member of the MFA Board of Directors, has served as a County Forestry Association president, and is a Certified Tree Farmer.
He is a member of the Society of American Foresters and was selected Fellow of SAF by his peers. He has been an MFA member more than 35 years and is now a lifetime member.
He has served on numerous MFA committees, with his most recent serving as chairman of the MSU Forestry Liaison Committee. He had a leadership role in organizing and implementing a successful Legislative Tour in 2006 to help showcase MSU Forestry Programs to many of our legislators and government officials.
He was born in Kilmichael, MS and was an active 4-H member as a youth. In fact, he won the National 4-H Forestry Scholarship Award in 1957 and used it to attend MSU and get his degree in 1961.
Fellow MFA members said about Dismukes, “Charles is a person that has passion for his profession in forestry, willing to go the second mile to accomplish his goals, working to help his fellowman and to promote forestry in Mississippi. He does not seek recognition nor rewards, but is always helping others.” “We need more people like Charles in Mississippi working in the total forest industry.”
“Charles is not the least bit intimidated nor hesitant to talk to a legislator or the President of MSU in support of forestry, and his service to forestry has always been done without attention being focused on himself. I have admired him for this as long as I have known him.”
Mississippi Forestry Association’s vision is to serve as The Voice of Forestry in Mississippi. In 1938 MFA was formed to guard and grow Mississippi’s forests and that is still the mission today. MFA is the only organization that represents every group in the forestry community. MFA leads the efforts in protecting landowner rights, improving the forest products economy and educating the community about the ecological benefits of healthy, renewable forests and of the forest industry. MFA is a private (non government), nonprofit association. To learn more, visit www.msforestry.net.