Page 14 - Tree Line - North Carolina Forestry Association - Fourth Quarter 2022

industry, and the “why’s” of what we do. Q:What sustainability measures Q:How does your organization
does your organization take?
A:What could be more sustainable than producing 50 million +/-
seedlings in the state for reforestation? We pride ourselves on the sustainable aspect of what our business harvests on an annual basis. Producing seedlings
for reforestation provides jobs, income, and security for landowners and every company in the North Carolina forestry supply chain, from start to finish. We manage our nurseries in a manner that allows us to produce this amount of product year after year on the same footprint. We use packaging supplies for our seedlings that can be recycled, take measures at our facilities to reduce our carbon footprint, and work with local vendors who do the same.
IFCO Seedlings supplies approximately 300 million seedlings for reforestation
to about one third of the market. It’s a tremendous responsibility and one we do not take lightly.
Q: What lessons have you learned along the way? Is there anything
you would do differently?
A:I’m a firm believer that there is a greater plan for us all other than the
one we wake up with in our mind every morning and that every decision, action, or outcome has a purpose. I don’t think that I would do a whole lot differently besides learn earlier from my own mistakes. The lessons I’ve learned along the way encourage me to promote those
in and outside our industry, both young and old, to commit to building strong relationships whether your viewpoints and business align 100% or not. We (the forest industry) are a large, diverse group, but also a tightknit, intertwined community. We have to work together.
support the local community?
A:From the ground up, IFCO Seedlings drives education and the
understanding of our role in the supply chain of forest management and the benefits that this brings to future timber stands. We support our client base statewide in giving back during awareness campaigns, where we donate seedlings to help promote education and industry. We provide time and opportunity for Project Learning Tree (PLT) in our local school system and donate seedlings and materials to clients who participate in PLT, as well as other student programs that highlight trees and forestry. We also host nursery tours for groups willing to travel to our nursery in Washington, NC. We support local communities, provide jobs, sponsor youth sports, and engage with local and state forestry associations like the NCFA.
Harris Kelly explains the complex bareroot seedling process to the NCFA staff.
THE PERFECT HYBRID
OF NATURE AND MACHINE.
12 ncforestry.org / FIRST QUARTER 2022