Charles Deam Forest Stewardship Award

The Charles Deam Forest Stewardship award recognizes Indiana woodland owners who have demonstrated exceptional management of their woodlands. Anyone can nominate a landowner for this award (except self-nomination). It is sponsored by IFWOA.
Submit a nominee via this online form

Award Rules

Any private landowner possessing 10 acres or more of woodland property within the state of Indiana and who has owned said property for no less than one full year is eligible. The owner must have a written forest management plan that has been approved by a professional forester. Current board members of IFWOA and IFEF or state winners in the last 5 years are not eligible. A finalist is selected from each of the five IFWOA areas (Area Map) and a judging team visits the finalists properties to determine the state winner. Area finalists, the state winner, and their foresters will be recognized at the IFWOA annual meeting banquet.

Deam Information and Rules (PDF)

Nominations

Nominations can be made by any person or organization. Multiple persons may be nominated by the same nominator. The nominator should contact the landowner for permission before making the nomination and provide basic contact information for the landowner. A landowner may not nominate himself for the award.

Submit a nominee via this online form
Download the nomination form and submit via email or mail to: Claude Diehl, c/o IFWOA, 1007 North 725 West, West Lafayette, IN 47906-9431

Past Deam Award Winners

• 2022: David & Mary Ray
• 2021: Springboro Tree Farms, Rich & Jean Hines
• 2020: Dr. Richard Jones
• 2019: Dave & Carol Niehaus Family
• 2018: The Stark Family
• 2017: John, Donna, and Dan Frank
• 2016: Leonard Gehlhausen Heirs
• 2015: Steve & Peggy Creech
• 2014: Ray Acres Family Farm
• 2013: Our Oak Grove Farm, Warren Baird & Family, Everett & Phyllis Ballentine (co-winners)
• 2012: Mark Hildebrand
• 2011: Dean Baker, Baker Forest Company
• 2010: Carl & Barbara Diehl
• 2009: Alan & Rosemary Bolenbaugh
• 2008: Mark Dunn
• 2007: Gary & Judith Dillon
• 2006: William & June Irwin
• 2005: Robert & Betty Miller
• 2004: Lenna Sheets Ransburg
• 2003: Al & Ida Meyer
• 2002: Art Bowman, Woody & Ann Barton (co-winners)
• 2001: Wayne & Betty Bessinger
• 2000: Lowell and Kim Miller, Don Etienne & Family (co-winners)
• 1999: Cornelius & Sandra Collignon
• 1998: Aloysius & Aggie Uebelhor
• 1997: Dr. & Mrs. Douglas Wier
• 1996: Dr. Allen Butler
• 1995: Dr. George & Dorothy Parker
• 1994: Hubert & Ester Raver
• 1993: Archie & Blance Burnett
• 1992: Robert Kern