The Maryland Tree Farm Program and the MD. Dept. Natural Resources-Forest Service would like to announce that John and Karen Colton of Avenue, Maryland as the 2015 MD. State Tree Farmer of the Year.
Mr. and Mrs. Colton owns 125 acres and have been a certified tree farm for 17 years. The farm has been in the Colton family since 1888, and they are the fourth generation Coltons’ to own and care for the land.
The Coltons’ manage their forest land for the multiple use concept, timber, hunting, recreation and education. All of the work on the tree farm is accomplished by the Coltons’. John has been involved with several different forest associations over the years including the Maryland Forest Association, the Maryland COVERTS project, Rural Legacy Board and a Maryland Farm Board Member.
The American Tree Farm System is a nationwide program to encourage private forest landowners to do an effective job of growing trees as a crop, with the added benefits of improved wildlife habitat, watershed protection, outdoor recreation and aesthetic value. The first Tree Farm was established in 1941 in Washington State.