Benjamin D. Cole, ACF of Cole Timberland Management LLC in Appomattox, has achieved Full Member status in the Association of Consulting Foresters of America, Inc. (ACF). ACF members are independent professionals who manage forests and market forest products for private woodland owners.

Full membership status in ACF requires an individual to have at least five years of forestry experience and to have completed the association’s Practice of Consulting Forestry course.

Full members must hold a bachelors or higher forestry or natural resources degree and agree to abide by ACF’s constitution, bylaws, policy, and code of ethics ensuring no conflict of interest exists in serving the public.

“Ben’s dedication to the profession and forest landowners has been evidenced by client references and endorsement by his peers,” said Justin M. Miller, ACF, Green Timber Consulting Forestry, Inc., and president of ACF. “We are pleased to welcome him to the ranks of full membership.”

Cole is active in the Virginia Chapter of ACF and is a member of the Virginia Forestry Association. He has served in various leadership roles for the Society of American Foresters, and currently serves as Treasurer of the local Robert E. Lee Chapter.

“Working for myself as a consulting forester in my hometown is a dream come true,” Cole said. “The mission and core values of ACF walk lock-step with my beliefs. I’m humbled at the status of Full Member and will actively participate in ACF working to promote our organization’s principles and our members’ best interests.”

In addition to his volunteer service within the forestry profession, Cole is a member of Liberty Baptist Church, enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids, and operates a row crop farming operation.

“I’m delighted to work with Ben as an ACF Full Member,” said Shannon McCabe, CAE, Executive Director, ACF. “His participation will help to further the association’s mission and this status acknowledges his commitment and dedication.”

ACF members help landowners enhance property values, increase the value of timber, produce a more sustainable timber harvest, enhance wildlife habitat, and establish and protect a family’s forest legacy. Because of their vital role in the forest products supply chain, ACF members were deemed essential workers during COVID-19.

As a condition of membership, every consulting forester must have minimum education and experience levels, complete the Practice of Consulting Forestry course, and most importantly, agree to adhere to the organization’s stringent Code of Ethics.

For more information about ACF, log onto www.acf-foresters.org. 

If you want more content like this, support local journalism by purchasing the Times Virginian newspaper at a local newsstand or subscribing at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to receive the print edition and/or e-edition version.