After several years gathering interest from local woodland owners, the Bertie County Forestry Association was officially formed on March 27. The goals of the Assn. are to promote best management practices of forest and timber management among woodland owners of all size and to promote the forest industry in Bertie and surrounding Counties. Officers for the Association were elected on the 27th as follows:
President Mike Hoggard
Vice President Raggs Rascoe
Secretary Jeanne Brinkley
Treasurer Norma Gurkin
With approximately 315,000 acres of privately owned timberland, Bertie County ranks among the top 5 counties in timber sales in North Carolina annually. In many years Bertie is in the top 2 counties. With this type resource it is only natural for interested parties to gather together with the common goal of promotion and education. Most timberland owners will only sell timber once or twice in their life, so having a good understanding of how and where to market their crop and then how to replant and cultivate the seedlings is important.
While income is a driver for some people others may desire to promote wildlife and conservation on their property. The Association is able to address this as well as estate planning through their educational sessions.
Anyone with an interest in timber and timber production and over the age of 18 can join the Association. Annual dues are $10 per person and payable at the Bertie Cooperative Extension Office.
