16 VIRGINIA FORESTS APPALACHIAN GROWTH LOGGING LLC Alan Gleske, owner of Appalachian Growth Logging, LLC, found his passion for the job while working at West Virginia University’s research forest during his time there as a student. Upon graduating in 2014 with a degree in forestry with a major in Forest Resources Management, Alan fought wildfires for three seasons, May to October, in Happy Camp, Ca. During the off-season, he spent his time working for a small, family-run, but highly mechanized, logging operation learning how to navigate complex harvesting techniques and merchandising constraints. In 2018, Alan set out on his own and launched Appalachian Growth Logging, LLC. As his business grew, he combined the demand for additional forestry services with his educational background and created a forest management business and later merged both efforts under one entity, Appalachian Growth Forestry. His educational background and experience allow Alan to implement sound forestry practices into his timber harvesting. As a wildland firefighter, Alan also integrates prescribed fire into his business as another tool to promote healthy forests. As a small-scale operator, Alan currently has two other workers with him in the woods. He has two rubber-tired grapple skidders, a trailer-mounted log loader with a pullthrough delimber and buck saw, and a five-axle self-loading log truck. Alan offers his customers forest management planning and harvest planning that is geared toward achieving the landowners’ objectives while advocating for the future health of the forest. He harvests both hardwood and pine, and his common harvest methods include commercial selection, shelterwood, small-scale clearcut, and thinning. Alan is a member of the Virginia Logger’s Association and is SHARP Logger certified. He is licensed, certified, and insured in forest pest control through the Virginia Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services and a Certified Prescribed Burn Manager through the Virginia Dept. of Forestry (VDOF). Alan is also a wildland firefighter for VDOF, utilizing his expertise as a feller and dozer operator. Gleske was nominated by VDOF forester Zoë Sumrall who noted, “As markets become more specific, and challenges continue to arise, the forestry community needs people like Alan to help keep our industry moving forward.” W.E. RAGLAND LOGGING Ragland began his logging career as a fulltime logger in 1978. He had a small, three-man crew harvesting cutto-length wood with a big stick loader. He moved approximately three tandem loads a day (250 tons per week). Later, Gene made the switch to cutting stumpage for Westvaco Corporation. In 1984, W.E. Ragland Logging became fully mechanized, adding a skidder and tree shear. Tractor trailers would follow in 1988, and although he still moved pulpwood in cut-up form, he began hauling tree-length to more distant mills. As production increased, the need for maintenance increased as well. They added a shop and office capable of in-house equipment servicing. VFA’s Logger Merit Award recognizes and honors the performance of one or more outstanding logger(s) in the Commonwealth. Winners are chosen based on a written evaluation of the total logging operation. Recipients of the Logger Merit Award represent the “best-of-the-best,” and exemplify the highest professional standards, as they serve as effective positive public role models for the entire logging industry. Two Virginia loggers received this award during the 2024 Virginia Forestry Summit that was held in Charlottesville, Va. Kevin Dawson, water quality specialist with the Virginia Dept. of Forestry presented both awards. LOGGER MERIT AWARD WINNERS Virginia Forestry Summit Award Winners Rebecca Gleske , Alan Gleske, and Kevin Dawson. Dawson presented the Logger Merit award to Appalachian Growth Logging LLC during the annual awards banquet at the 2024 Virginia Forestry Summit.
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