J. Henry Duncan was recently honored as the 2008 Kentucky Tree Farmer of the Year at the Kentucky Forest Industries Association (KFIA) 44th Annual Meeting in Lexington. James Morris with the Kentucky Division f Forestry in Madisonville nominated Duncan for the award. In addition to a plaque recognizing his achievement, a gift certificate in the value of $350 was presented to Duncan on behalf of the National Tree Farm Program sponsor Stihl Incorporated.Duncan was selected from a number of nominations submitted from throughout Kentucky to the state Tree Farm Committee.

Mr. Duncan's 175 acres of woodlands are located on the Duncan farm in Logan County, three miles north of Russellville, Kentucky. The woodlands are managed for a wide range of benefits including timber production, wildlife and recreation. The farm has been certified as a tree farm since 1985 and has been improved every year since entering the program. Improvements on the farm include selective timber harvesting, timber stand improvement, tree planting and maintenance of all boundaries and roads. The management of the tree farm has improved wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities on the property.

Mr. Duncan has taken an active role in forest management on his property and has encouraged others to practice good forest management and stewardship. Duncan's farm was used for an educational day in 2006 for Russellville youth, city council leaders, parents and leaders from Russellville. The farm is available for other educational uses. Duncan is a member of the Kentucky Water Watch Program which checks on he quality of water in local streams and is currently Vice President of the Kentucky Woodland Owners Association. He is also a Certified Forest Steward and past Tom Wallace Farm Forestry Award winner.

The Kentucky Tree Farm Committee is sponsored by the Kentucky Forest Industries Association which is the statewide trade association dedicated to serving and promoting the forest products industry of Kentucky. Founded in 1965, it has over 800 members in the areas of primary and secondary wood industry, supplier and service industries, wholesale, loggers and landowners. The Tree Farm Committee oversees the program in Kentucky and is part of the National Tree Farm Program that promotes sound forest management through sustainable forestry. For more information about the association or how you can come a certified tree farmer contact Bob Bauer at 502-695-3979.