The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) and the Patrick County Soil and Water Conservation District (Patrick SWCD) recently awarded Erica Hession & David Wegener with the 2024 Patrick SWCD Forestry Award. During the past year, Erica & David have been intensively managing their farm for both timber production and wildlife habitat.
In 2023, DOF Area Forester, Kevin Keith, wrote a Forest Stewardship Plan for Erica & David that made recommendations on how to properly manage their timberland and open fields. During the past year, multiple forest management projects have been completed that will help improve the overall health of the forest and improve the water quality in Patrick County.
Some of the projects that they have completed include participation in the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practice (BMP) Cost-Share Program with emphasis on the Afforestation of Crop, Hay and Pasture Land practice. This program partially funded the planting of nine acres of old fields in loblolly pine. They also completed six acres of hardwood timber stand improvement that was funded by the DOF Hardwood Initiative Cost Share Program. Lastly, DOF burned six acres of old fields to improve wildlife habitat.
For more information or to schedule a field visit, please contact Patrick SWCD District office at 276-694-2911 or the Virginia Department of Forestry at 276-634-8046.
Pictured (l to r) are David Wegener And Erica Hession recipients of the 2024 Patrick County Forestry Award along with Kevin Keith, VDOF. (By Sandra W. Heath)
