John L. McClellan, of New Edinburg has been named the Outstanding Tee Farmer of the year by the Arkansas Forestry Association. He manages a 752 acre tree farm and considers it a labor of love and a family tradition. His grandparents started the tradition and the 1960's Mr. McClellan and his wife Sue took 67 acres of family land and began to buy more.
McClellan credits professional advice from state and federal forestry professionals for the way the timberland looks and has lasted. The McClellan land is managed primarily in pine ranging in age from 4 to 5 year old plantation to 80 year old stands. The hardwoods are mostly in streamside management zones to protect water quality.
Over the past 20 years John and his son Doug have developed more than 40 miles of roads and fire lanes. The entire family has built a cabin on the property using lumber cut and milled on site.
Mer. McClellan said, "we do value our timberland for the production it provides, aesthetics and wildlife value, but of course our family values of faith , family, friends and country come first."