MARTINSVILLE—Tucked among Virginia’s 16 million acres of forestland are families’ rich stories of stewardship and dedication to the land.
“The Virginia Century Forest Program was established to honor individuals and families whose working forests have been in the same family for 100 years or more,” explained Jennifer Leach, coordinator for the Virginia Department of Forestry program.
“It’s important to recognize families who have made long-term commitments to enhancing the environment and protecting the quality of life for their fellow Virginians through forestry.”
In Henry County, the Hodges family land dates to the American Revolution.
“The land grant was for two parcels—one for 535 acres and another for 300 acres,” said Michael Hodges, who owns Hemlock Haven Farm with his brother, Jim. “They were signed in 1781 by Thomas Jefferson, who was governor then.”
Michael and his wife, Rita, live on the remaining 213 acres, with 100 of those comprising a Century Forest. The forest’s pines and hardwoods have been integral to the family’s livelihood for seven generations. Family homes, barns and fences were built with its timber.
Today, the family maintains a stewardship plan to conserve woodlands—fencing cattle from streams, planting buffers and creating wildlife habitats. Every few decades, timber is sustainably harvested and replanted.
And beyond the family business, the forest is a place for respite.
“We walk the trails and hike the woods,” Rita said.
Michael said it’s their responsibility to keep the family’s 250-year heritage going. “My brother and I each have kids—the eighth generation is in waiting.”
To the east, in Essex County, John and Patricia Haile’s land started as a wedding present in 1844.
“John’s great, great grandfather was getting married, and his father, Capt. Robert Gaines Haile, bought (Elton Farm) for him,” Patricia said.
That marked the beginning of a 180-year farming and forestry legacy on the 304-acre property with over 100 acres of hardwoods and pines.
“There was a sawmill on the property until 1950,” John recalled. “My father cut black walnut trees, milled them into railroad ties and sold them to the railroad.”
The timberland now serves as a sanctuary for livestock—shading them on hot days and providing shelter during calving season. The Hailes work with foresters to thin trees and harvest timber.
“It’s a renewable resource and does a lot for our environment,” Patricia noted.
The Hailes’ Century Forest also symbolizes times of resilience.
“Fifty acres of the property had an improved stand of pines that was first planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps,” John said. To recover from the Great Depression and weather hard economic times, then-President Franklin Roosevelt established a program that hired millions of unemployed young men for conservation work. “And planting trees was one of their jobs.”
Read more in January’s issue of Virginia Farm Bureau News magazine at vafb.com.
-Virginia Farm Bureau
