October 23, 2008
Mississippi Forestry Association named Bill Kitchings Tree Farm Inspector of the Year. The award was announced at the county forestry association luncheon as part of the Mississippi Forestry Association’s (MFA) Annual Meeting on Thursday, October 16, held in Choctaw.
Kitchings was first selected as South Central District Inspector of the year and was chosen from the five district finalists as the state winner. Kitchings completed all of his required reinspections and certified 14 new tree farms. For his accomplishment he was presented an honorary plaque plus a check that includes the $500 award for being SC District Inspector of the Year and an additional $500 for being the State Inspector of the Year. In addition, he received a monogrammed camouflaged shirt and 15 entries into the $1000 cash prize drawing.
Members of the American Tree Farm System (ATFS/Tree Farm) are often identified by the white and green diamond shape signs they display on their property. Tree Farm is a program sponsored nationally by the American Forest Foundation promoting the sustainable management of forests through education and outreach to private forest landowners. Founded in 1941, ATFS is the oldest and largest forest conservation, certification and advocacy program in the United States.
In Mississippi, the Tree Farm program is administered by the Mississippi Forestry Association (MFA) a non government organization that represents individual landowners and forestry businesses. The Association promotes conservation, sustainable forestry and public outreach programs. MFA’s Tree Farm program includes a statewide team of more than 200 trained inspectors. Since its inception, Mississippi has lead the nation in tree farms with over 3,000 certified tree farms.
“The Tree Farm Program in Mississippi could not function without our volunteer inspectors. We are proud to recognize Mr. Kitchings with this Tree Farm Inspector of the Year award,” said Trey DeLoach, Vice-Chairman, MFA Tree Farm Committee.