Ashley Farms Recognized as 2020’s Jon Gould Florida Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year
Southern Forestry Consultants (SFC) is excited to announce that Ashley Farms, owned by Don Ashley and Theo Meadows, has been recognized as the 2020 Jon Gould Florida Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year. This award is presented annually by the Florida Tree Farm Program, a non-profit organization, and the state affiliate of the American Tree Farm System (ATFS). Our SFC team in Monticello, Florida assists Ashley Farms with forest and wildlife management, a relationship maintained for over 25 years.
SFC Vice-President, Dave Lewis, began working with Mr. Ashley’s and Mrs. Meadows’ parents in the early nineties and attributes a great deal of the success at Ashley Farms to the family’s willingness to adapt. From local shifts in weather patterns to global influences on forest product markets and anything in between, the determination to “make the best of things” is unwavering.
Dave characterizes the resolve and adaptive approach of Ashley Farms in his comments that, “Regardless of the next management challenge, Don and Theo are always ready to tackle any obstacle with a solution-focused mindset.”
Ashley Farms has experienced quite the transition over the last four decades from a shade tobacco farm to a diverse property focused on striking a balance between timber production, wildlife habitat, and row crop production. These efforts also led to Ashley Farm’s recognition as the Florida State Forest Stewardship Landowner of the Year in 2007. While recognition as the Florida Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year may be the culmination of efforts focused on maintaining this sustainable, multi-use farm, Ashley Farms is excited to continue and improve for years to come.
SFC and WEA are fortunate to work with outstanding landowners who are committed to sustainable management. As a result, Ashley Farms is our fifth client since 2010 selected as the Florida Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year.
For more information on Ashley Farms and their award, please visit the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences announcement.