5-20 FB Tree Farmer of the Year

 Steve and Janet Funk received the 2010 Idaho Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Award from the American Tree Farm Association. They farm several hundred acres of trees in the Wolf Lodge area just east of Coeur d’Alene Idaho. Steve says he farms timber trees including: “ typical of North Idaho, Douglas Fir, Red Fir, Grand Cedar, Ponderosa. ”

The American Tree Farm System, founded in 1941 promotes sustainable management of forests on 26 million acres of privately owned forest land comprised of 80,000 forest owners. This is a voluntary program and the Intermountain Forestry Association sponsors this program.

Steve and Janet Funk manage their tree operation in accordance with the standards set by the American Forest Foundation. And were delighted with the award: “We were honored.” In addition, they have done a lot of educational activities on their farm to help other forest owners learn sustainable management practices. It is their hard work and dedication to managing their own farm and educating others in sustainable forest practices that has landed them this prestigious award.