autobioi1

about Mike

wearing a "hard hat"
(about 5 years old)

climbing a maple tree in our backyard
(about 10 years old)

I was born in Niskayuna, NY in 1969. I had a happy and adventurous childhood, growing up in the country on our small family dairy farm.

I attended Fort Plain Central (public) School.
I was in 4-H club then Boy Scouts and also ran cross country and track. I believe I got an excellent education which opened the way for me to go to college.

Growing up on a farm was good for me.... where I learned many practical things that are as valuable as my formal education.

the main barn and silos at my family's old farm in Fort Plain

I started my forestry education at Paul Smith's College which included my introduction to logging and tree climbing. From there I went on to SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse.

Also during these years I picked up work experience working for International Paper Company in Maine and New York. I was a "timber cruiser" and nursery technician.

I took an opportunity to go to Virginia Tech to learn more about logging and forestry in the South.

wearing a hardhat and climbing a maple tree in somebody's backyard
(37 years old)

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