A forester once assigned to Cannon County has been named the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry’s Forester of the Year. Stephen Peairs received the award presented annually to a division forester who exemplifies the highest level of professionalism in serving the citizens and forest landowners of Tennessee.
Peairs is currently assigned to Dickson, Houston and Humphreys Counties. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in forestry under the wildlife management option from Mississippi State University in 2001 and earned a masters degree there in 2003.
Peairs also served as an instructor at this year’s 59th annual FFA Forestry Camp. His enthusiastic and energetic nature made him a hit with the junior and senior high school students from across the state as he taught wildlife management, prescribed burning, compass and pacing and forest measurement courses. He says his interest in forestry came from his enjoyment of the outdoors and hunting and fishing. He currently resides in Dickson County with his wife, Melinda.