The Georgia Forestry Foundation (GFF), in partnership with Huber Engineered Woods, is proud to recognize 15-year agriculture education veteran Les Bateson of Wheeler County High School in Alamo, Georgia, as the 2026 Georgia Forestry Teacher of the Year. The award honors a Georgia classroom educator who goes above and beyond to teach students why the state’s forests matter, to the environment, the economy and Georgia’s heritage.
Tim Lowrimore, GFA President & CEO, left, Les Bateson, 2026 Georgia Forestry Teacher of the Year, center, and Matt Hestad, Senior Vice President, at GFA’s Annual Conference in Jekyll Island
“It’s a true honor to be recognized with this award. Forestry has been part of my life since I was a student myself. My goal is for every student who walks through my classroom to leave with a real understanding of how much Georgia’s forests matter, and maybe even a spark that turns into a career,” said Bateson.
Bateson has built a forestry program at Wheeler County High School that gives students hands-on experience in tree identification, forest measurement, reforestation, prescribed burning and timber stand improvement by working with partners like the Georgia Forestry Commission. Under his leadership, Wheeler County’s FFA chapter won the 2023 Forestry Field Day state championship, and its Land Evaluation team took the state title and will represent Georgia at the National Land and Range Judging Contest in Oklahoma this May. Several of his students have gone on to careers in forestry.
2026 Georgia Forestry Teacher of the Year, Les Bateson, and his wife, Samantha, at the GFA Annual Conference in Jekyll Island
“Bateson’s hands-on teaching methods provide valuable and engaging opportunities for students to immerse themselves in forestry,” said Matt Hestad, senior vice president of the Georgia Forestry Association and Foundation. “He works hard to connect his students directly to Georgia’s forestry industry by partnering with organizations that give students hands-on skills and exposure to real careers.His work is a testament to the influence of great teaching on the future of our industry.”
Bateson was recognized for his achievement at the annual Georgia Forestry Association (GFA) 2026 Annual Conference and Forestry Expo, held in July. Attendees, who work in all parts of the forestry supply chain, celebrated his contributions to forestry education and recognized his role in shaping the future of forestry in Georgia.
The Forestry Teacher of the Year award highlights outstanding forestry educators who most effectively communicate the significance of and our connection to Georgia’s 22 million acres of working forests. Applications for agriculture teachers open in the spring. More information can be found at https://gffgrow.org/toty.