Fall Forestry & Wildlife Field Tours

• Tuesday October 20
• Meet at 8:00 AM at: Meadowbrook Community Center, 267 Alleghany Springs Road, Shawsville, VA 24162, 540-268-1623
• Tour begins promptly at 8:30 AM

Home to Virginia Tech, the third largest University in Virginia, Montgomery County is still a predominantly rural area. In fact, almost 90% of the county is either forest (68 %) or farm (21%) land. On this tour we’ll see where trees are grown, how they are made into useful products, and what goes into developing and testing wood products. 

Stop 1: Turman Lumber Company. This family-owned sawmill has been operating for almost 50 years. The family also owns and manages 400,000 acres of local forests.  We’ll watch as trees are sawn into lumber. 

Stop 2: Virginia Tech’s Brooks Forest Products Center. Here we’ll learn about state-of-the-art technology being used to test packaging systems and materials. From improving the durability of pallets, enhancing the sustainability of cold chain packaging systems, to developing new building materials, the Brooks Center is conducting world-class applied research on wood products. 

Lunch: Meadowbrook Community Center. Catered pasta bar from Pumpernickel Pickle. 

Stop 3: Sowder Tree Farm. On this 57-acre Tree Farm we’ll learn about managing for Appalachian hardwoods, Eastern white pine, and all the wildlife that live there. We’ll also learn about research and outreach projects with Virginia Tech. 

Conclude by 4:30 PM

• Wednesday October 21
• Meet at: 8:30 AM at: W.E. Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center, 775 Hermitage Road, Wirtz, VA 24184, 540-721-2759
• Tour begins promptly at 9:00 AM

Known as the moonshine capital of the world for its historic liquor production during prohibition, Franklin County was also the filming location for the 1991 movie What About Bob. Close to 58% of the county is in forestland, and 26% in farmland. 

Stop 1: Tree Planting Harmony. What does it take to turn an open field into a pine plantation? The discussion will cover soil preparation, tree planting, and releasing seedlings from competing vegetation. We’ll see hardwoods and shortleaf pine planted along a waterway where, once established, they will help protect water quality.  Finally, we’ll learn about the cost share programs used to help pay to establish these plantings. 

Stop 2: Intentional Hardwood Management. Virginia’s Hardwood Initiative has money to help you manage your hardwood forests. At this stop we’ll explore three of the management practices that are eligible for cost share. 

Lunch: W.E. Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center.

Stop 3: Montmorenci Property. This privately-owned 600+ acre woodland has been in the Newbill Family since the 1970’s. It is now being actively managed by the second generation. We’ll learn about managing both loblolly pine and hardwoods at this stop. 

Conclude by 3:30 PM

• Thursday October 22
• Meet at: 9:30 AM at: James Madison’s Montpelier, 11350 Constitution Highway, Montpelier Station, VA 22957, 540-672-2728
• Tour begins promptly at 10:00 AM

Orange County is bathed in its own name, russet browns, reds and yellows in autumn. Our time at James Madison’s Montpelier is sure to please the eye and the mind while exploring the intersection of society & forests.  

Stop 1: Working Woods Walk. A trail walk in the Demonstration Forest will pass though part of the remarkable Landmark Forest before showcasing various active forest management practices.

Lunch: The Market at Grelen. Catered by Grelen Casual Cafe.

Stop 2: Grelen Nursery Tour. Established in 1990, the nursery grows and sells large plant material and operates a full landscaping division.

Stop 3:  Majestic Trees of Montpelier. We will return to Montpelier and get off the beaten path to be up-close and personal with Montpelier’s Majestic Trees and have time to explore exhibits and the formal gardens.  

Dinner: James Madison’s Montpelier. Catered by BBQ Exchange.

Stop 4: Mansion Tour. This private tour of James Madison’s home will be led by Montpelier staff. 

Conclude by 7:00 PM

• Friday October 23
• Meet at 9:00 AM at: Flippo Lumber Corporation, 16415 Washington Highway, Doswell, VA 23047, 804-876-3311
• Tour begins promptly at 9:30 AM

Right off of I-95 and home of King’s Dominion, Hanover County is still a predominantly rural land use county, with 64% of the area in forest and 13% in farm. On this tour we’ll visit a local sawmill business and their actively managed forest. 

Stop 1: Flippo Lumber Corporation. This family-owned sawmill has been operating for approximately 93 years. Flippo Lumber is estimated to generate $4.5 million in annual revenues and employs approximately 53 people at this location. On this mill tour, we’ll learn how the trees you grow are processed into long-lasting, carbon-storing wood products. 

Lunch: Doswell Ruritan Club. Catered roast beef meal by Doswell Ruritan Club.

Stop 2: Bullfield Woodlands. There is a lot of active forest management occurring on this family-owned property. Professional foresters will discuss how to create a new, young forest, and the benefits they provide for wildlife. Then we’ll learn what management activities are used in 15 and 29 year old pine plantations. The last stop will be at a hardwood forest along the river.  We’ll learn about the ways that forests protect water quality, support wildlife, and provide recreational opportunities. 

Conclude by 3:30 PM