The Jefferson Davis County Forestry Association held its annual meeting July 22 at Bethany Baptist Church in Prentiss.

Speaker for the event was Tedrick Ratcliff. Ratcliff is the executive vice-president of the Mississippi Forestry Association.

He spoke to the members about current events in Mississippi forestry.

At the conclusion of the meeting, awards were presented to the tree farmer and logger of the year.

The 2019 tree farmer of the year is Billy Parish. Parish is a life-long resident of Jefferson Davis County. He lives on his cattle and tree farm in the Clem community.

He became a landowner in 1970 when he purchased his grandfather’s cattle and timber farm.

In the late ‘90s, he converted most of his pasture acreage to trees. He has been an ardent supporter of the Jefferson Davis Forestry Association and the business of forestry in this area during his many years at Regions Bank in Prentiss.

The 2019 logger of the year is Pear River Logging..

Pearl River Logging is a Lawrence County operation that started 15 years ago in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The Pearl River crew has distinguished themselves over the years not only with quality logging, but with quality BMP work after the logging is complete.

Crew members for Pear River Logging are Anthony Neal, Mike Trott, Miles Hill and Bryson Nations.

It is owned by Aubrey Hill and Debbie Hill Berry.

Pearl River Logging cuts almost exclusively on tracts bought by Monticello Forest Products.