Arens Family Receives Stewardship Forest Award

The Gary and Joselyn Arens family was recently honored with a Stewardship Forest Award for the tree planting efforts on their farm northwest of Crofton. Close to 30 acres of trees have been planted in the last ten years. Initial plantings included windbreaks around the farm headquarters for winter protection. More recent activities include field windbreaks, a black walnut planting, and a riparian planting of mixed evergreens, broadleaf trees and shrubs. The latest project includes over 30 different species of plants. Gary uses his own tree planter and conservation fabric mulch machine so all the establishment work from the start is done by him and his family. He has worked closely with the Knox County Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Services Agency; Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District and the Nebraska Forest Service on design recommendations and cost-share assistance.