Page 10 - Tree Line - North Carolina Forestry Association - Fourth Quarter 2020

This year’s recipient is Mike Harris of Canfor Southern Pines. Harris has been a dedicated volunteer for our Forestry and Environmental Camps in the Greensboro area. He has instructed sixth-graders at Kernodle Middle School for many years, but also did not hesitate to teach when we adapted our camp program for high school students. Beyond his camp involvement, Harris has volunteered for NCFA’s Forestry Merit Badge Day and has led tours of
the mill for students. Harris is an active member on the Education Committee, and his voice has been valuable in shaping the NCFA’s forestry education programs.
Beyond K-12 forestry education, Harris has also participated in the ProLogger program and has contributed content to past modules.
ProLogger
OF THE YEAR AWARD –
Jimmy Stockton
BY ROB ELLIOT FROM EVERGREEN PACKAGING
The NCFA ProLogger of the Year Award is presented to an individual who has demon- strated a commitment to safety, environment, and business — the three pillars of the ProLogger program in North Carolina.
This year’s recipient is Jimmy Stockton of Stockton Grading & Logging, Inc. Stockton is known for being a safety leader in the logging community in western North Carolina. When you visit a job or his shop, you will see employees wearing personal protective equipment, safety signage, and safe behavior all around. He is also diligent about best-management- practices compliance and environmental stewardship. Stockton illustrates this commitment through good planning and job implementation as well as post-harvest erosion control maintenance.
One way he demonstrates his commit- ments to forest sustainability and steward- ship is by maintaining Sustainable Forestry Initiative Logger Training status as well as Forest Stewardship Council Certified Logger status. These certifications not only show commitment to sustainability but also help promote his business to mills in the region that have sustainability certification require- ments for their end products.
Stockton has also invested in a variety of equipment that enables him to handle rough mountain logging with track equipment, as well as flatter Piedmont higher-productivity jobs. When the North Carolina Forestry Department announced their need for in-woods chipping operations to accomplish their critical forest and wildlife restoration objectives, Stockton was
ProLogger of the Year – Jimmy Stockton
one of the first in western North Carolina to invest in a chipper setup to support those operations, which benefit the public at large.
In short, Stockton promotes safety, environmental stewardship, forest sustainability, and sound business practices that reflect positively on the entire North Carolina forest products industry.
Company
OF THE YEAR AWARD –
Jordan Lumber & Supply Company
The NCFA Company of the Year Award
is presented to an organization that has demonstrated a commitment to serving not only its local community but also the entire forestry community in North Carolina.
This year’s recipient is Jordan Lumber & Supply Company. Founded as a small mill in 1939, Jordan has grown to become the largest privately operated mill in the country. This family-owned company
has been a member of the NCFA since 1990. Leadership and staff alike are involved in all facets of the association. Jordan team members have served on the NCFA Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and have been actively involved in committee work. Jordan Lumber has opened its doors to teachers during the Sustainable Forestry Teachers Experience, volunteered at Forestry and Environmental Camps, hosted ProLogger module courses, advocated on behalf of forestry during Forestry Day in the Legislature, sponsored the annual meeting, and has served as a source of resources and information to countless landowners in the Piedmont.
The Jordan family also encourages
its staff to be active in the community.
Staff members are involved in local and state government positions, civic groups, community services, and public outreach.
Communicator of the Year – Ewell Smith
Communicator
OF THE YEAR AWARD –
Ewell Smith
The NCFA recognizes an individual with a significant record of promoting a positive image of forestry and the forest products industry with the Communicator of the Year Award.
This year’s recipient, Ewell Smith, is the Executive Director of the Carolina Loggers Association. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Smith has been advocating for the health, safety, and wellbeing of the logging community. He has been on the frontline of communicating with decision makers and ensuring that essential workers gain access to federal funding opportunities and economic relief. Smith has given interviews to local and national media, highlighting our industry and lifting the voices of loggers in the state of North Carolina.
Ewell Smith speaks to loggers.
8 ncforestry.org / FOURTH QUARTER 2020