TREE FARM NEWS www.wvfa.org Spring 24 | West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 23 On Monday, January 29, 2024, Senator Karnes of Randolph County presented and read Resolution 17 acknowledging Myles Lumber Company (MLC) as the West Virginia Tree Farmer of the Year. Andy Swecker, Forester for MLC, accepted the Resolution on behalf of June Myles, Owner. MLC has managed almost 10,000 acres of high quality hardwoods since the 1950s. The Tree Farm was one of the earlier ones recognized in West Virginia. George Myles, June’s father, owned a sawmill near Beverly in Randolph County and established the Tree Farm to help provide a sustainable inventory for the mill. Since 1951, MLC has been dedicated to taking care of the land that it has acquired using sound forest management practices. Several reputable foresters have been employed, such as Randy Allen, Dave Mullenax, Dwain Leech, and Andy Swecker, among others. Andy currently oversees forest management operations. After the closing of the sawmill, Ms. Myles continues to manage the land with emphasis on forest management, wildlife habitat improvement, and maintaining water quality. She contracts the logging and employs a staff to oversee timber harvests and to maintain road infrastructure, a log yard, and storage facilities. Ms. Myles, through MLC, has provided many jobs by practicing sound An MLC managed timber stand, one of the 10 tracts representing over 10,000 acres of well-managed forest land. West Virginia Tree Farmer of the Year Award Presentation to Myles Lumber Company at the WV Capitol. From left to right: Leve Denes and Gloria Oporto (WVU); Andy Swecker (Myles Lumber); Senator Karnes (U.S. Senate); Anthony Raines (WVFA); Jeremy Jones and Charles Copeland (WVDOF). TREE FARMER OF THE YEAR 2024 Myles Lumber Company
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