Wallace Wood has been an active member of the McCormick County, SC community for over 38 years. He served as the Executive Director of the Upper Savannah Land Trust for six years and has been on the board of directors several times since the organization began in 2000. In 2011, he was named South Carolina Tree Farmer of the Year. Wallace walks both Tom and Emily through his farm and provides an American history lesson, as well as a personal lesson, on how the property has developed over the years and what it has meant to his family.   Key Takeaways: [4:35] How did Wallace get started in t ..read more

Walt McPhail, Brother Bill, and Dr. George Kessler (from a previous episode!) join Tom and Emily to discuss Walt’s farm. Walt and his ancestors have managed to keep the property within the family tree for a long, long time. He shares how he always knew he wanted to be a forester, why he’s been “retired” for nearly his entire career, and so much more, in this week’s episode!   Key Takeaways: [1:35] Before we hear from Walt, we first hear from Brother Bill on what he’s learned from Walt. [3:45] If you ever get a chance to work with Walt, do it. [4:45] Walt did the master tree farm course in ..read more

Dr. George Kessler is a Certified Tree Farmer and a Registered Forester. Dr. George is a recognized treasure in South Carolina for his extensive work in the tree farm community. He has dedicated his most of his career to extension forestry and has created millions of acres of healthy forests. Find out about Dr. George and his journey into forestry, his impact on the South Carolina community, and so much more!    Key Takeaways: [4:10] A little bit about Dr. George and his family. [8:25] Dr. George knew he wanted to be a forester in highschool. [11:35] How did Dr. George get started in ..read more

Skeet and Gayle Burris are proud owners of Cypress Bay Plantation, a 2500+ acre farm and is nationally recognized for exceptional forestry, wildlife management and conservation. Skeet and Gayle share what it was like working on the farm in the very early days when it was an undeveloped 95-acre property. Lean in as Skeet and Gayle talk about how their vision back in 1986 has come true, and how they plan to keep the family legacy alive.    Key Takeaways: [2:00] How did Skeet get his start in tree farming?  [6:00] Gayle shares her version of the story on how the family got involved ..read more

John Spearman is a retired Colonel for the US Army and the President of Deer Hill, an award winning tree farming operation. John has been part of this farm since 1977 and shares a little bit about its rich history, the family legacy he is building with his farm, and just his love for being outdoors. John and his family have been able to create alternative income sources on his property that go beyond timber and trees!    Key Takeaways: [2:10] Colonel John introduces his son, Von, who is a forester!  [5:50] Both Colonel John and Von describe their land and some of it’s important ..read more

Annie Ruth Jones is a three-generation landowner and has successfully used her land to plant and sell trees. Her grandparents bought the land she is currently standing on in 1935 and she is very proud that she has kept the family legacy alive all these years later. She also credits the Center of Heirs Property for helping guide her to find the right resources to make a living out of her land. Find out more about Annie and her property in this week’s episode!   Key Takeaways: [2:15] Annie shares a little bit about her land and her family. [4:25] Annie shares her family tree and how she cam ..read more

Randell Ewing is a tree farmer with deep roots in Darlington County, South Carolina. He got into tree farming by accident when he purchased a small piece of land in his early 20s for hunting purposes. Since then, he’s grown his property by thousands of acres and it’s now turned into a family business with him and his son. Listen in as you hear Randell’s stories about his tree farm and the amount of pride he has for growing trees.   Key Takeaways: [1:40] Where did the name for Randell’s farm, Indian Summer, come from? [2:40] How did Randell get started in tree farming? [5:50] Randell got h ..read more

Eddie and Linda Drayton are the owners of Cat Tail Tree Farm. Eddie is a retired forester and spends his retirement days as a tree farmer. As a man in his 80s, Eddie wakes up everyday excited for a new adventure on his farm and shares a little bit about his love for forestry as well as provides a bit of a background on how the surrounding area was discovered. Join Tom and Emily on this adventure as they talk with Eddie and Linda about the work they put into their beautiful property.    Key Takeaways: [1:40] Tom shares a little bit about Eddie and Linda’s farm.  [2:15] As a profe ..read more

Tom and Emily meet with legacy tree farmer Pat Dorn, based in South Carolina, to learn more about his beautiful property and how he got into the business of planting trees! You’ll hear some background noise as Tom and Emily march through the wilderness with Pat as they uncover what makes Pat’s property so special.   Key Takeaways: [1:35] You find Tom and Emily with legacy tree farm owner Pat as he does a tour of his property in South Carolina. [2:40] How did Pat get into the tree farming business? [4:50] Pat remembers fondly planting trees with his pa and how they were able to turn it int ..read more

Tom is on the road and interviewing Mike Meetze from South Carolina! Mike shares his heritage property with Tom and explains how the property has evolved over the years. Everything from growing Soybeans to cattle to now timber. Mike has been on the tractor since he was eight years old, but he is actually an engineer by trade. Take a journey with Mike as he walks you through his property on this week’s episode!   Key Takeaways: [1:40] Tom is recording from the road. Come join him on an adventure in South Carolina! [2:10] How did Mike first acquire his farm? [3:30] Mike’s property used to g ..read more