August 2023 Meeting and Field Trip Photos - Johnston's Blackberry Farm and MSU-UTK Research Project on Shortleaf Pine and Mixed Woods on Mined Sites

Maggie and Mark Johnston hosted a field trip on their property in Black Pond.  An on-going research project on shortleaf pine and hardwood regeneration on previously mined site is being conducted by Mississippi State University and University of Tennessee-Knoxville.  Present at the meeting were Dr. Joshua  Grainger, Andrew Shea, Mike Henshaw, Mark Finley, Tyler Fish, Allison Cochran, Mark Johnston, Jason Harrison, Jamie Segroves, Dr. David Buckley, Maggie Johnston, Casey Hammack, and not pictured, Amy Melson, and Jerod Carter.  (photo by Amy Melson)

Discussed at the meeting were the following topics:

• History of Blackberry Farm.
• Balance of the treasury is $5,734.83
• Update on non-profit status.
• Winston FAWN dates and locations are TBD.
• Marion FAWN dates are October 10-11.
• Zack Brannon received the ALFA Excellence in Agriculture Award that includes a new zero turn mower.
• RAC proposals are due by August 31.
• RAC committee will meet in Montgomery to review proposals on September 21.
• Scholarships to the TREASURE forest meeting are available for young and new landowners.
• Jerod Carter announced RC&D grants for $5,000 for trails and recreation projects.
• Natural Bridge Park is in new ownership.
• Trails and Rec Festival will be held in Point Mallard Park in Decatur on September 30.  Admission for adults is $5.00, youth are free.
• National Public Lands Day is September 23.  Wild South will sponsor a litter cleanup on September 23.
• Lowe Mill in Huntsville will sponsor an Art Exhibit featuring Hemlock trees.
• Needle blight disease in loblolly pine.
• Jason gave an update on oak planting research on the Bankhead.
• Tyler gave update on new signage that is being installed at Little Natural Bridge site.
• This is the Year of Alabama Birding Trails, Allison suggested googling "Bird Tails" for more info.
• Overview of open positions and recently filled positions on the Bankhead District.
• Next meeting will be held at the Winston Alabama Forestry Commission Office in Double Springs at 9:00 a.m. on September 21.

Dr. Grainger and Dr. Buckley highlighted research that examines planting various hardwood species with pines on mined sites to determine effects on survivability, growth rate, growth form, and herbivory.  Photos from the August meeting and field trip are here.  

-Submitted by Allison Cochran and Mike Henshaw

Winston County Extension Coordinator Zack Brannon recognized by ALFA

The 2023 Farm and Land Expo Excellence in Agriculture winner is our very own Zack Brannon! Congratulations, Zack!

From ALFA - 

Young Farmers secured wins, prizes and experience advocating for agriculture during contests at the Alabama Farmers Federation Farm & Land Expo Aug. 12 in Mobile. Families from Limestone and Winston counties took home wins for Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) and Excellence in Agriculture competition, respectively, while four Discussion Meet finalists were announced. 

Excellence in Agriculture winner Zack Brannon of Winston County received a zero-turn Grasshopper lawn mower, also sponsored by Corteva Agriscience. This competition allows participants to showcase the role agriculture plays in their lives and present solutions on agricultural issues. 

Winners will compete and represent Alabama during American Farm Bureau Federation national competition in Salt Lake City, Utah, in January 2024. 

Read the press release here.

Bankhead National Forest White Oak Partnership Project recognized by the USDA Southern Research Station Director

 Partnership Recognition - 

National Forests in Alabama employees were recognized by the USDA Southern Research Station Director for their outstanding collaboration to implement a white oak restoration project in the Bankhead National Forest. Recipients for the “Partnership Award” were Callie Schweitzer, Stacy Clark, Ryan Sisk, Pat Curtin, Jason Harris (AL - District Silviculturist), Andy Scott (AL -Bankhead NF District Ranger), Scott Schlarbaum, Alison Mains, John Johnson, Margaret Johnson, Janice Barrett, Jason Rodrigue, Marcus Warwell, and Eugene Brooks (NFs in Alabama Silviculturist). “Experts from the Southern Region, the Bankhead National Forest, the University of Tennessee, and Wild Alabama developed a long-term science-management partnership to implement a white oak restoration project for the first time in Alabama national forest history and delivered research results to key audiences.  We salute Bankhead District Ranger Andy Scott, District Silviculturist Jason Harris and Forest Silviculturist Eugene Brooks, our Alabama NF teammates, and others for this honor and historical moment.  --Tammy

 

White Oak Restoration Research Project - News Article - National Forests in Alabama - News & Events (usda.gov)

 

 

U.S. Forest Service Works to Upgrade a Mountain in the Bankhead National Forest

Release Date: Mar 17, 2023

Public Affairs Specialist: Dawn Suiter
(224)334-5336
dawn.suiter@usda.gov
www.fs.usda.gov/alabama

Forest Service News Release

(Double Springs, AL) March 17, 2023—An interdisciplinary team of foresters, researchers, and cooperators from the USDA Forest Service, Nature Conservancy, and University of Tennessee - Tree Improvement Program (UTTIP) convened on Balls Mountain in the Bankhead National Forest for an historical event. They planted white oak seedlings for the first time in Alabama's national forests. The collaboration promotes "the desired future condition" of oak in the forest.

According to Bankhead National Forest District Ranger Andy Scott, the project involves planting between 500 and 800 white oak seedlings. "The area was planted in loblolly pine, which we determined was at risk of Southern Pine Beetle infestation, so the district developed a project in which we would remove the pine, but before harvesting it, recognized that we did not have enough advanced regeneration in oaks and hickories," said Scott.

To remedy the lack of hardwoods in the area, the district team reached out to others. "The goal was to ensure we had the necessary well-informed science, groups, and partnerships to make the project whole, said Jason Harris, silviculturist for the Bankhead National Forest. “I contacted Callie Schweitzer and Stacy Clark at the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station and local communities through Wild Alabama. With their assistance, and the help of local schools in the county, we collected several thousand acorns to use for the tree planting project.”

The project involves extensive research, planning, and patience to ensure success. "It is challenging to regenerate white oak back on the landscape. One of the ways we think we can get it back is through planting," said Dr. Clark, research forester at the Forest Service Southern Research Station in Knoxville, TN. "White oak is a species that's extremely important for several reasons. It provides staves for barrels and cooperages that help the distillery industry. It is also a great source for wildlife. The acorns are highly palatable by wildlife and provide them with nutrients and carbohydrates."

The team plans to revisit the one and two-year-old seedlings in a year to gather empirical data on factors affecting performance and development, such as seedling size and age after outplanting. White oak is considered to be an outstanding tree among all trees and is widespread across eastern North America.

We appreciate the collaboration of Wild Alabama, the University of Tennessee - Tree Improvement Program (UTTIP), Forest Service Southern Research Station, students, and volunteers with Citizen Science. For more information on the white oak tree planting project, please contact Andy Scott, District Ranger at the Bankhead National Forest.

Forest Service Photo: pictured from left to right is Dr. Callie Schweitzer, John Johnson, and Jason Harris

WCNRC August Meeting - Thursday, 8/17 at 9 AM at Johnston Farm

 The Winston County Natural Resources Council will hold our regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Thursday, August 17 at 9 am. We will meet at Mark and Maggie Johnston's farm south of Double Springs.  A Mississippi State University professor who is conducting shortleaf pine research on the Johnston farm will share a presentation and host a field tour.  Water, sunscreen and walking shoes are required.  Contact Allison at jera.cochran at usda.gov if you need directions to the farm.