Skeet and Gayle Burris are proud owners of Cypress Bay Plantation, a 2500+ acre farm and is nationally recognized for exceptional forestry, wildlife management and conservation. Skeet and Gayle share what it was like working on the farm in the very early days when it was an undeveloped 95-acre property. Lean in as Skeet and Gayle talk about how their vision back in 1986 has come true, and how they plan to keep the family legacy alive.
Key Takeaways:
[2:00] How did Skeet get his start in tree farming?
[6:00] Gayle shares her version of the story on how the family got involved in tree farming.
[7:25] Feeding four boys during the very early days was not easy, but Gayle believed in Skeet.
[10:50] Skeet shares how he came up with his big picture vision for the farm.
[16:25] Skeet was fortunate that he purchased abandoned and exhausted land and, over time, built it into something.
[17:40] How did Skeet get tree farm certified?
[19:40] What does tree farming mean to Skeet?
[22:15] Skeet’s vision came true. What’s his vision going forward in 2021 and beyond?
[24:35] Skeet and his family have made an active effort to support conservation efforts on their farm and it’s paid off!
[26:45] Gayle realized in the early days that the boys had a negative association with the farm because it meant ‘hard work’. So she worked on creating long-lasting traditions and positive memories with the whole family and friends in the community. Now, whenever her boys come, they’re proud to show their children what they’ve built.
[31:25] As Skeet was building up the farm, Gayle realized she also needed a niche and decided to get into photography.
[34:15] How did the name Cypress Bay come about?
[35:40] Skeet talks a little bit about his love for South Carolina.
[43:00] What words of wisdom and tips does Skeet and Gayle have for fellow tree farmers?
Mentioned in This Episode:
John Spearman is a retired Colonel for the US Army and the President of Deer Hill, an award winning tree farming operation. John has been part of this farm since 1977 and shares a little bit about its rich history, the family legacy he is building with his farm, and just his love for being outdoors. John and his family have been able to create alternative income sources on his property that go beyond timber and trees!
Key Takeaways:
[2:10] Colonel John introduces his son, Von, who is a forester!
[5:50] Both Colonel John and Von describe their land and some of it’s important historical landmarks.
[11:00] How did Colonel John find his property and purchase it?
[14:10] Colonel John proposed the idea to his father-in-law to plant pine trees on the property.
[15:45] Colonel John was working two jobs, one for the military and one on his farm. He was a younger man back then and could do that kind of work.
[20:00] When Colonel John’s father in law passed away, his father took on the role of managing the farm in Colonel John’s absence.
[21:25] When Colonel John received the district tree farm award, he wondered why they didn’t receive the state tree farm award.
[22:15] How do you properly market the timber on a tree farm? Colonel John got creative.
[25:25] By preparing Colonel John’s thesis, it gave him a long-term plan and it deeply rooted himself in his business.
[26:45] Do quail and turkey flourish in a pine plantation?
[29:10] What research projects is Colonel John currently involved in and what has he learned thus far?
[30:35] Von explains what ‘trashy farming’ looks like.
[32:45] Von shares what kind of things he’s planted on the farm thus far.
[35:05] Colonel John provides a bit of backstory to the watershed and it’s importance to making this whole ecosystem work.
[36:00] Von shares how they make money off of their tree farm, and it’s not just from the trees!
[37:30] Colonel John shares his plans for the future and what he hopes to achieve with the farm.
[40:10] It’s Colonel John’s duty to leave the land in a better condition than when he started.
[40:40] How does Colonel John plan to pass on the tree farming business to his children?
Mentioned in This Episode:
Annie Ruth Jones is a three-generation landowner and has successfully used her land to plant and sell trees. Her grandparents bought the land she is currently standing on in 1935 and she is very proud that she has kept the family legacy alive all these years later. She also credits the Center of Heirs Property for helping guide her to find the right resources to make a living out of her land. Find out more about Annie and her property in this week’s episode!
Key Takeaways:
[2:15] Annie shares a little bit about her land and her family.
[4:25] Annie shares her family tree and how she came to inherit her property.
[9:25] Annie’s father stressed the importance that everyone in his family finish high school.
[11:00] Annie talks about her father and what kind of man he is.
[12:00] Hold on to the land because they’re not making any more of it.
[13:40] A quick introduction to Kenneth Dunn and what he does for the Center of Heirs Property.
[17:45] Annie cannot stand the tree frogs!
[24:00] Annie does a tour of her property and talks about why she loves a particular tree.
[27:45] As a black family, trying to hold onto property is very expensive. This is why Annie loves resources provided by Kenneth Dunn and others.
[31:05] Annie made a promise to herself that she would not sell her land.
[32:55] Annie feels so blessed to have been able to keep the property in her family name thus far.
[34:15] It’s up to the younger generation now to see if they want to keep up tree farming.
[34:40] Kenneth explains some of the challenges African-American landowners have when it comes to keeping their land.
[38:20] Without Heirs Property help, landowners really can get taken advantage of.
[41:25] Annie shares how the family makes a decision together when it comes to their property.
[42:50] What do you need to do to become a certified tree farmer?
Mentioned in This Episode:
Randell Ewing is a tree farmer with deep roots in Darlington County, South Carolina. He got into tree farming by accident when he purchased a small piece of land in his early 20s for hunting purposes. Since then, he’s grown his property by thousands of acres and it’s now turned into a family business with him and his son. Listen in as you hear Randell’s stories about his tree farm and the amount of pride he has for growing trees.
Key Takeaways:
[1:40] Where did the name for Randell’s farm, Indian Summer, come from?
[2:40] How did Randell get started in tree farming?
[5:50] Randell got his start on 15 acres and originally wanted to use it for hunting. However, he never actually hunted on it, instead, he used it for conservation.
[7:25] Randell shares a little bit about his wife, who has since passed on.
[10:35] Randell shows Tom and Emily some of the coolest things he owns in his barn/storage.
[15:45] Randell dives into how he found out about tree farming.
[17:40] How did Randell and his son start working together?
[19:30] Randell was worried at first that the business would struggle if he brought his son in, but it has been a blessing.
[22:35] We hear a little bit from Randell’s son, Randell Jr.!
[26:35] Why is Randell so passionate about tree farming?
[29:25] It’s just common sense to plant trees. You’re helping the environment.
[30:10] A walk through the forest is almost like going to church.
[31:05] Randell Jr. shares a fond memory he had on his dad’s farm.
[37:00] If you can’t look after your business, better hire someone to help you.
[41:05] Everything Randell has learned today has come from the tree farm program. There are a lot of programs and resources out there for you!
[41:45] It’s important to be an advocate for trees, the environment, and more because the politicians in big cities aren’t aware of their importance. You have to let them know.
[45:15] What is Randell thankful for?
Mentioned in This Episode: