Hosting the Alabama Treasure Forest Association’s 2010 Conference and Tour is a great opportunity and a huge honor for the Pike County TREASURE Forest Association.

“This is the first time for the ATFA Conference and Tour to be held in Troy and we are very excited to have the conference and tour here in Pike County,” said Claire Murphy, event publicity co-chair. “The theme for the conference is ‘The Year for Family and Friends.’ Forest owners from all across the state will attend. Having the conference and tour in Pike County will also make it convenient for people from our area to attend this very informative conference.”

The 2010 ATFA Conference and Tour will be held at Cattleman Park on Friday and Saturday Sept. 17 and 18. The early bird registration fee until Aug. 19 is $85 and includes the Friday luncheon, learning sessions, banquet and the Saturday TREASURE Farm tour.

Friday’s agenda features a performance by the Troy University rodeo team.The learning sessions include “Land Management,” “Ferrell Hog Management” and “Self-Reliance and Stability on Your Land.”

“Another learning session, ‘The Role Birds of Prey Play,’ includes the Callaway Farm Birds of Prey demonstration,” Murphy said. “The ATFA banquet Friday night will be most entertaining and will include a live auction with some really great items up for sale.”

On Saturday, participants in the conference will tour the Gene Renfroe family TREASURE Forest.

“The Renfroe Farm right here in Pike County is one of most beautiful farms you’ll ever see,” Murphy said. “The farm is called ‘Joyes’ and it provides an educational opportunity to see and learn about wildlife, timber and recreation management. The tour will include viewings of pine and hardwood forests, pecan orchards and wetlands. The tour group will also enjoy the experience of walking across a duck pond.”

Murphy said the Pike County TREASURE Forest Association has welcomed several sponsors aboard and a large number of vendors have registered for booths. Vendor booths are still available and sponsorships are encouraged.

“We are a non-profit organization and an educational arm of the Forestry Commission,” Murphy said. “The ATFA promotes the wise use and management of all our forest resources. Events like the conference help fund workshops and other events and acuities throughout the year.”

Reservations for the 2010 Alabama TREASURE Forest Association Conference and Tour may be made online at http:// www.atfa.net or by calling 1-888-240-4694.