Jackson-Blanchard Hofmann Forest Managers

The Jackson-Blanchard Hofmann Forest Managers Scholarship Endowment was established in 2016 by Margaret Jackson Weatherly and Harold C. and Peggy P. Blanchard. The Jackson-Blanchard Hofmann Forest Managers scholarship honors two longtime serving Hofmann Forest managers, G. Eddie Jackson, and Harold “Butch” Blanchard.

G. Eddie Jackson was a 1935 graduate of NC State and an active, loyal supporter of the School of Forestry and the Wolfpack Club. In 1986, he was a recipient of the NC State University Meritorious Service Award. In addition to an outstanding individual career in the forestry industry, Mr. Jackson was also instrumental in the development of the profession. In fact, he was largely responsible for organizing the N.C. Society of Consulting Foresters in 1967. He was the organization’s first president as well as a past president of the North Carolina Forestry Association and Chairman of the North Carolina Forestry Foundation, Inc. One of his most rewarding accomplishments was the honor to serve twice as the Supervisor of the Hofmann Forest. Active in his home community, Eddie also served as president of the Washington Rotary Club.

Harold “Butch” Blanchard followed in his father’s footsteps as a forester and attended the NC State School of Forestry on a four-year scholarship, from the Continental Can company. Later, he was awarded the George K. Slocum Scholarship. Blanchard earned five varsity letters in three track-and-field sports and was recognized as an ACC Outstanding Scholar-Athlete in 1963. After graduation, he worked for Westvaco and launched his own timber dealership before joining his father in a forestry consulting business operation, today known as H.C. Blanchard and Associates. Serving on the NC Forestry Foundation Board of Directors, Butch was president during a reorganization and consolidation of funds that pushed foundation assets over $1 million for the first time. During his presidency, the mortgage debt on the Hofmann Forest was retired. Later he was instrumental in establishing active management of the forest to fund numerous undergraduate and graduate scholarships. In 1984, Butch left the board of directors to be the Hofmann Forest manager. During his 23 years of management, the forest returned more than $13 million to the College of Natural Resources in needed support. After retiring as forest manager, he continued his tradition of service through his dedication to his church, the arts, and Rotary International.