TFOY - Tree Farmer of the Year

Tree Farmer of the Year (TFOY)

Each year, the Marion-Polk Chapter Board of Directors selects a Tree Farmer of the Year to recognize landowners who excel in sustainable forest stewardship. This honor highlights the many diverse ways woodland owners care for their properties, emphasizing best practices over competition. Successful nominees often go on to receive state and regional recognition through the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), reflecting the high standards upheld by our chapter.

Nomination and Evaluation Process

A dedicated working group within the Board of Directors maintains a steady pipeline of candidates and works closely with each nominee to complete the application process. This includes visiting their tree farms to assess management practices, ecological stewardship, and community engagement. We welcome nominations from the public, including self-nominations, and encourage anyone familiar with outstanding woodland stewardship to participate.

Selection Criteria

Nominees are typically evaluated on their:

Forest Management: Sustainable, long-term strategies that ensure a healthy, productive forest.
Environmental Protection: Commitment to preserving water quality, wildlife habitats, and biodiversity.
Community Engagement: Active involvement in educational programs, workshops, and local conservation efforts.
Innovation: Adoption of new methods or tools that enhance overall forest stewardship.

Significance of the Award

Being named Tree Farmer of the Year acknowledges a landowner’s leadership in sustainable forestry, their role in supporting local economies through responsible timber production, and their dedication to preserving natural resources for future generations. By celebrating these achievements, we inspire other woodland owners to implement similar practices and foster a community committed to the long-term health and resilience of our forests.

For more information on how to nominate yourself or someone else, please contact Jock Dalton.

Jock and Pam Dalton are centered in this photo. They were selected as the 2024 Oregon Tree Farmers of the Year, and are flanked by Steve and Wylda Cafferata, the past chairs of he Oregon Tree Farm System.

2024 Tree Farmers of the Year: Jock and Pamela Dalton, Shady Place, LLC

The Marion-Polk Chapter named Jock and Pamela Dalton its 2024 Tree Farmers of the Year in recognition of their commitment to sustainable forest management and long-term stewardship. Their property, Shady Place, LLC, has been in the family since 1917, when Gustav and Anna Jahn—immigrants from Germany and Austria—established a 40-acre farm near Monmouth, Oregon. Over the decades, the family steadily expanded their holdings, adding parcels in 1929 and 1946, eventually growing the operation to include nearly 1,000 acres. In addition to tree farming, the Jahns introduced cherry orchards and other ventures, always adapting their management strategies to the times.

This rich legacy of responsible forestry and thoughtful land use continued through several generations, including Gustav and Anna’s son Robert, a WWII Navy veteran who oversaw substantial growth and diversification. After Robert’s passing, his children continued the family tradition, and today Pamela—Gustav and Anna’s granddaughter—and her husband Jock have consolidated approximately 700 acres under Shady Place, LLC. They have invested in infrastructure improvements such as roads, bridges, and ponds, and worked closely with state agencies like the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Natural Resource Conservation Service to develop comprehensive, forward-looking management plans.

These efforts drew statewide attention, and in addition to being honored by our local chapter, Shady Place, LLC was named the 2024 Oregon Tree Farmer of the Year by the Oregon Tree Farm System. The Dalton family’s thoughtful stewardship across generations exemplifies the core values of our Tree Farmer of the Year program: sustainable management, habitat enhancement, resource protection, and a commitment to passing on a healthy, productive forest to future generations.

Click this link to listen to “Shady Place Legacy”

Celebrating Shady Place, LLC through Music

In addition to traditional recognition and awards, we wanted to honor the Dalton family’s century-long legacy in a more personal and heartfelt way—through music. This original bluegrass tune, “Shady Place Legacy,” captures the family’s stories, traditions, and dedication to their land. Written and performed especially for the Daltons, it reflects the warmth, resilience, and community spirit that have made Shady Place, LLC what it is today.

Click this link to listen to “Shady Place Legacy”

Lyrics:

Verse 1:
Down at Shady Place, where the Douglas firs grow,
A century farm where the roots run low.
Jock and Pam keep the family’s dream,
Through every sign and every stream.

Chorus:
Oh, Shady Place, where the stories are told,
Generations thrive in the green and gold.
From Elderberry Patch to South Pond’s shore,
The heart of the farm beats forevermore.

Verse 2:
Each July, the family gathers near,
The games and laughter fill the summer air.
Horseshoes clanging, holy board’s toss,
Axes flying, no skill’s ever lost.

Chorus:
Oh, Shady Place, where the stories are told,
Generations thrive in the green and gold.
From Orchard Road to the lilac tree,
It’s the love of the land that keeps us free.

Bridge:
Four homes stand where the elders stayed,
Built on dreams that the family laid.
By the campfire’s glow, we sing our song,
In the land where our spirits belong.

Verse 3:
Under the firs, we play baseball games,
Bingo’s numbers called by candle flames.
A week in July, where the past meets today,
Shady Place shines in its timeless way.

Chorus:
Oh, Shady Place, where the stories are told,
Generations thrive in the green and gold.
From Elderberry Patch to South Pond’s shore,
The heart of the farm beats forevermore.

Outro:
Through the trails and trees, the signs remain,
Marking love and pride in Shady Lane.
Jock and Pam’s care, a legacy long,
Shady Place lives on in this song.

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