Frederick Leo Bateman of Mitchell County, Georgia, says that he started planting pine trees as a small boy alongside his father, Leo Bateman, who was in the timber business. In 1955, because of his love for the land, trees, horses, wildlife, and everything outdoors, Frederick began a farming operation with his father. They grew peanuts, cotton, tobacco, and, of course, pine trees. Some years later, Frederick's sons became part of the farming operation.

Mr. Bateman, known to everyone locally as Freddie, is a Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participant. Until 10 years ago, he participated in all Farm Service Agency programs available to row crop producers. In 1988, however, CRP provided cost-share assistance to Bateman to establish 177 acres of longleaf pine trees on his property. Bateman is proud of his longleaf pines as well as 1,250 acres of slash pines. He looks forward to the timber thinning required to prepare wildlife food plots on his CRP acreage for bobwhite quail and the deer.

Bateman considers horseback riding his only "bad habit." The country roads that lead through his Woodbine Plantation with the beautiful oak and pine trees make everyone want to observe such scenery from horseback. Such breathtaking beauty has been developed by a man who for years has focused on planting trees on the land.

Freddie Bateman's farm operation will be passed on to his family someday. But, for now, he will continue to be as active as his health permits in looking after an operation that started in the early 1940's with a father in the timber business and a son who loved everything outdoors, especially pine trees.

CRP participant Freddie Bateman

Longleaf pine trees planted on CRP create wildlife habitat and reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Instead of row crops, Bateman now grows long-lived longleaf pine trees.

Country roads crossing Bateman's Woodbine Plantation make a lovely background for his favorite pastime, horseback riding.

Click here for enlarged image