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The Ohio Department of Natural Resources named the owners of Deseret Tree Farm, Benita and Wayne Lashbrook as Ohio's 2012 Outstanding Tree Farmers along with their daughter Rita and son-in-law Brad Franchi. 

 

The group owns and manages the 158 acres of forest between Chillicothe and Jackson. 

 

Wayne Lashbrook is a retired forester and says he has always wanted to be a tree farmer. 

 

"We did purchase some property and became tree farmers and so that was kind of a dream come true for me because I like the out of doors and working with forest ecosystems. It's been a process that's been very rewarding," said Lashbrook.

 

The award is given to family tree farms that use sustainable forestry practices to protect natural resources, promote wildlife, and provide educational recreation for their visitors. 

 

Lashbrook says it's an honor to be selected.

 

Deseret Tree Farm will host an open field day September 29 to showcase their land as part of the award.