S.C. Tree Farmer of the Year

S.C. Tree Farmer of the Year

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Denmark, South Carolina man transforms farmland into showplace of good forestry practices

A Bamberg County man has been named South Carolina Tree Farmer of the Year.

John L. Haralson of Denmark received the recognition at the South Carolina Forestry Association Convention this fall. A hands-on tree farmer, Haralson does 95 percent of the work involved with the care of his trees. Whether he is pruning trees, planning and planting for wildlife, on the tractor maintaining woods roads and fire lines, applying herbicides to control brush or doing prescribed burns on his property, Haralson, with a grin on his face and dirt on his hands, enjoys every minute of his farming.

"I feel real fortunate to be able to do something I enjoy so much and love doing. I am fortunate to be able to love doing something for future generations to be able to pick up on and expand on after Im gone," Haralson said. "The land will always be here."

Most of Haralsons working day is spent in the business he started 28 years ago, John L. Haralson Insurance Agency, located on U.S. 78 between Denmark and Bamberg.

In 1988, with assistance from Roy Boyd who was at that time area project forester with the South Carolina Forestry Commission, Haralson purchased his first farm property. Boyd helped him develop a forestry management plan that accommodated his interest in hunting and his aversion to using chemicals. Since then, Haralson has transformed the farmland into a showplace of good forestry practices. It became a certified Tree Farm in 2000.

He now has four properties that he manages for both wildlife and tree farming. Proper, safe and judicious use of forest herbicides as a vegetation management tool is now an important part of Haralsons tree farming operation. Hunting, especially quail hunting, is still high on his priority list. More than 40 acres of food patches and wildlife openings are part of Haralsons tree farms. Thinning and prescribed burns conducted on a regular basis, along with the food plots, provide excellent habitat for wild turkey, white-tailed deer and fox squirrels as well as quail and other birds.

Forestry Best Management Practices applicable to the property are followed.

Growing up in the Neeses area of Orangeburg County, Haralsons family had close ties with the farmers and loggers in the vicinity.

"My dad had a farm, store and two pulpwood crews," Haralson said. "At an early age I became involved and never got that pine tar smell out of my nose."

Along the way to becoming South Carolinas Tree Farmer of the Year, Haralson learned about land and forest management by taking courses and seminars. He has completed Master Tree Farmer I & II , the Certified Prescribed Fire Manager Course, GA/SC Longleaf Conference, Wildlife Food Planting Tours and other forestry-oriented courses.

Membership in various forestry and wildlife associations has also brought learning opportunities to Haralson. A past president as well as a founding member and first president of the Salkehatchie Forestry Association, Haralson is also a Bamberg County Soil & Water Conservation commissioner, a member of the South Forestry Association and the Forest Landowners Association.

Quick to encourage anyone interested in tree farming, Haralson shares his knowledge by showing his tree farm and explaining what hes done that has achieved desired results.

This Tuesday, Dec. 2, Haralson will share his love of tree farming with students from the agriculture education class at the Barnwell County Career Center by giving them a tour of the tree farm and helping them establish a test plot for observation during the coming years.

"I am especially grateful to Johney Haralson because he has been so generous with his time and made his property available to folks who want to see good land stewardship in action," said Bob Franklin, Clemson Area Extension Agent, Forestry and Wildlife. Franklin nominated Haralson for Tree Framer of the Year just as he also nominated in past year winners of the award Brooks Lawton, Carroll Brown, Gordon Gale and Skeet Burris.

Haralsons land stewardship philosophy centers on the future.

"We never own the land. We may have the rights, title and interest in it and the opportunity to pay taxes on the land. However, for our short time on this earth, our goal should be to leave the land for the next generation in better condition than we found it," he said. "Im looking forward to seeing my management activities bear fruit while I share what Im doing with my friends, neighbors and anyone interested in learning about stewardship."

Haralson shares his enthusiasm for wildlife and forestry with his wife, the former Roxie Varn, his two daughters Kacey L. Haralson and Kristen H. Rucker, his son-in-law Reed Rucker and a new grandson.

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