Delaware Tree Farmer of the Year to be named  March 27

The Delaware Forestry Association will present its 2014 Tree Farmer of the Year Award at its annual meeting from 5:30 to 9 p.m., Thursday, March 27, at the Bridgeville Fire Hall, 311 Market St., Bridgeville.

Tickets are $27 for adults and $12.50 for children ages 6 to 12. Checks should be payable to Delaware Forestry Association and mailed to PO Box 344, Bridgeville, DE 19933. For more information, contact Steve Ditmer, 410-896-9283. Register by Monday, March 24. Find more information at delawareforest.com.

DFA is a nonprofit organization established in 1982 to promote the sustainable practice of forestry and related industries on the Delmarva Peninsula. The association is a proud supporter of the Delaware Tree Farm Committee, part of the American Tree Farm System. For more information on the Delaware Tree Farm Committee, contact Dorothy Abbott at dotad@udel.edu or 302-730-4000.

In addition to its annual meeting in March, DFA holds a number of educational events throughout the year and also supports scholarships and grants to encourage young people to pursue careers and further educational opportunities in forestry and natural resources.

Once again this year, the Delaware Forestry Association will award a $1,000 scholarship to a full-time student who must choose forestry as his or her studies major and be accepted or enrolled in a two-year or four-year accredited school program. Complete instructions and application forms are available at delawareforest.com and must be received by Tuesday, April 1. The winner will be notified by May 1. Students will be eligible for up to four years of undergraduate study, upon reapplying, meeting the requirements, and being selected. All applicants must show financial need and academic merit. All applicants shall be in the upper 25 percent of their class in high school and maintain at least a 2.75 grade point average in college, based on a 4.0 scale.

Scholarship money can be applied toward tuition, room and board, or books. The money will be sent directly to the college in which the student is enrolled. All applicants must submit a short essay describing their personal goals and reasons they feel they are deserving of this award. Applicants may be requested for a personal interview by the scholarship committee. The successful applicant will receive his or her award on Governor’s Day at the Delaware State Fairgrounds.

Applications can be mailed to Delaware Forestry Association, c/o John Herbert, 20587 Milton-Ellendale Highway, Ellendale, DE 19941.