RANDY LAWFFER (right) and wife Linda (left) were named Tree Farmers of the Year at the Clark County Farm Forestry Association’s annual meeting March 6 at the Battle Ground Community Center.
Randy Lawffer estimates that he has planted close to 70,000 trees since he became the fourth generation of his family to manage their tree farm in Chelatchie Prairie.
Lawffer and wife Linda were named Tree Farmers of the Year at the Clark County Farm Forestry Association’s annual meeting March 6 at the Battle Ground Community Center.
“I’m the fourth generation on the place,’’ said Randy, referring to his 325-acre tree farm in Chelatchie Prairie near the foot of Tumtum Mountain. “And, we have two more generations below me on the place, too.’’
Lawffer’s son Noel Lawffer, and his family, also live on the farm, as does daughter Tonya Howell and her family. Randy estimates that he manages about 300 of the acres and his son Noel has about 25 acres. Soon, Noel plans to tear down the old homestead and build a new house on the property.
The 63-year-old Lawffer says his great-grandfather Jacob Lawffer homesteaded some property near Chelatchie Prairie after the Civil War. Jacob later sold his original land and moved to the Lawffers' current property in the early 1900s according to Randy.
Randy said his father Bill was born on the tree farm in 1920 and later took over management of the property (with wife Bea), which he passed on to Randy in 1978. Linda joined Randy on the farm in 1984.
Randy estimates that about 240 acres of the property is currently covered in timber.
“I usually take a few loads out every year and then I plant them,’’ he said. “Last year, I think we planted about 3,000.’’
Lawffer also has three rental properties on the farm and leases a building out to a bungee jumping business, which he says will soon open a zip line. Randy says the family also “runs some beef’’ on the property as well.
More than 120 of the 260 members of the Clark County Farm Forestry Association and guests attended the annual meeting. Guests introduced included Clark County Councilor Tom Mielke, Debbie Jeters from the Clark County assessor’s office and Susan Rasmussen and Carol Levanen from Clark County Citizens United.
Speakers at the event included member Rick Dunning, who spoke on Clark County’s Comprehensive Plan update, the Growth Management Plan and Clark County Citizens United’s alternative plan. Ray Richards also shared information from the Bonneville Power Administration.
Keynote Speaker was Bob Brink, president of the Clark County Farm Forestry Association. Brink presented a slide show on his trip to Sweden and Norway, offering information on the forestry industries there.
Brink will continue as the association’s president. Dan Brink was elected as vice president and Georgia Goff (secretary), Betty Davenport (treasurer) and Ken Edwards (past president) will all continue in their leadership roles with the association.
Board members are Gene Jones, Dave Mann, Rhidian Morgan, Bill Haeger and Morgan Gillette.
Brink honored association volunteers Lee and Debbie Levanen (member tree sales), Jared Larwick (public tree sale), Lana Massa (membership), Betsy McKee (newsletter), Bob Burns, Dick Easter and Clarence and Renee Goff (TFY), Dale Arola (potluck and picnic) and Morgan Gillette (twilight tours).
To become a member of the Clark County Farm Forestry Association or for more information, go to www.wafarmforestry.com.
The association’s annual fundraiser will be the Public Seedling Sale Sat., March 21 from 8 a.m.-noon at Albertson’s parking lot near NW 20th Ave. and Main Street in Battle Ground.
