The Patrick County Soil and Water District and the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) presented Marcus Vinroot with the 2010 Forestry and Wildlife BMP award at their regular District Board meeting
CAPTION: Pictured is Marcus Vinroot receiving The Patrick County Soil and Water Conservation District’s 2010 Forestry and Wildlife BMP award at the Patrick SWCD’s Board meeting. Pictured left to right: Joseph Sparks, Patrick SWCD Director; Marcus Vinroot and Kevin Keith with the Virginia Department of Forestry. (Photo by Sandra Heath)
VINROOT PRESENTED FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE BMP AWARD
Submitted by: Patrick Soil and Water Conservation District
The Patrick County Soil and Water District and the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) presented Marcus Vinroot with the 2010 Forestry and Wildlife BMP award at their regular District Board meeting. This award was established to provide special recognition to landowners who demonstrated a commitment to improving the natural resources on their property through tree planting, wildlife habitat improvement, evasive species control, and practicing sustainable forestry.
Marcus purchased the 120 acre farm in 2008 which includes a mix of open fields, an old apple orchard, and timberland. To improve the wildlife habitat on his farm, he has planted several wildlife food plots in a mix of soybean, millet, clover, and rye. Since his farm is mostly open, Marcus decided during the winter of 2010 that he wanted to plant some of the fields in trees and get rid of some of the dead apple trees. Before moving forward, Marcus contacted the local VDOF forester, Kevin Keith, to get some advice on the health of his timberland, what species to plant in the fields, and the types of cost share programs that might be available to help with the tree establishment costs. Within a month, Marcus has received cost share funding through the Virginia Department of Forestry, the Patrick Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service to help with the tree planting and site preparation costs.
In March, Marcus used a dozer to clear 10 acres of the dead and unproductive apple trees. In April, this area along with some other fields was machine planted in loblolly pine. Also last spring, Marcus along with some hired help, planted 5 acres of hardwoods consisting of white oak, northern red oak, persimmon, and apple. In May, Marcus had 11 acres of mature Virginia pine harvested that will be replanted this spring.
Through these various activities, Marcus has made his farm more desirable to wildlife and has improved the overall value of this property. Congratulations to Marcus on a being a good steward of the land.
