Spring 2003 Volume 12, Number 1
Senator Dick Lugar Is Indiana
Tree Farmer Of The Year
U.S. Senator Dick Lugar and a longtime member of the Walnut Council was
named Indiana's 2002 Tree Farmer of the Year at
the 105th Annual Convention of the Indiana Hardwood
Lumbermen's Association.
Lugar farms 604 acres of corn, soybeans and walnut and other hardwood trees near Indianapolis, Indiana. While unable to attend the breakfast due to his senatorial duties, he made remarks to the group via video.
Lugar, who personally prunes hundreds of tress on his farm
each year, recently received the 2002 Black Walnut
Achievement Award from the Walnut Council. Additionally, in1999, he
played host to the Walnut Council Annual meeting on
his tree farm, which is within sight of the
Statehouse.
'I have been interested in walnut trees as a form commodity
for many years," said Lugar. "I have continued a strong relationship with
individuals and groups, in Indiana and elsewhere, that
seek to support the healthy cultivation of walnut and other hardwood trees which
will support many important industries in our state.'
Lugar also advocated establishing the Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center at Purdue University. The Center will house both Purdue and U.S. Forest Service researchers working on the improvement and regeneration of hardwood tress in the Central Hardwood Region of the United States.
The Indiana forest products industry employs over 59,000 people earning over $1.6 billion annually. It is the fifth largest manufacturing industry in the state. Timber harvested in Indiana ranges in value from $100 to $ 140 million dollars annually.
This timber, together with hardwood timber imported from
surrounding states and processed in Indiana,
brings the total value of forest product shipments to
approximately $4 billion annually.
Each year, the Indiana Tree Farm Committee takes
nominations and makes a presentation to a Hoosier Tree
Farmer. Applicants for
Tree Farmer of the Year are judged on the type and
quality of forest management practices, efforts to encourage
other woodland owners to manage their forest lands, and cooperation with
resource management professionals.
This year's Tree Former of the Year likely has more foreign
relations experience than any previous nominee. Lugar is chairman of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He personally
hosted a group of European foresters from England, France,
Germany, Belgium and Romania in August of 2002. He is
believed to be the only winner to have been a candidate for
President of the United States.
Lugar was also made an honorary member of the Society of
American Foresters and has played a prominent role in the development and
passage of countless pieces of pro-forestry
legislation, including the most recent Farm Bill. He is called the nation's
leading spokesman for a farm policy that
balances the need for agricultural commodities with
the need for conservation practices.
Congratulations to Senator Dick Lugar.