In 1964, Smith, a nurse, and her husband Jack, purchased a 120-acre plot, 10 miles southwest of West Plains in Howell County. This was something they wanted to leave to their grandchildren. The Smiths were interested in tree planting and watershed maintenance and began to get involved in managing their land.
One of the newest stewardship practices in the 1960s involved planting pine trees. The Smiths were quick to offer their land for use in the venture. The land now contains 30 acres of pine plantations. Over the years, Smith has continued to actively manage her forest even in the face of adversity. In 1979, her husband passed away. A year later, disaster struck when a severe forest fire destroyed or damaged most of the hardwood and pine. Another fire of lesser damage occurred in 1992.
Regardless of her hard luck, Smith never lost sight of her husband's desire to improve the land.
When the Forest Stewardship program began in Missouri, Smith was one of its pioneers in the West Plains Forest District. The 120-acre tract is currently managed for timber, mostly oak, hickory and pine, wildlife and watershed protection. The tract has been classified as Forest Crop Land since 1965 and in 1974, it earned the distinction of Missouri Tree Farm.
Smith, now 84, moved to Columbia in 1988 to the Lenoir Retirement Community, although she continues to make semi- annual visits to her farm. MDC foresters regularly update her on the condition of her acreage and the land continues to flourish under Smith's guidance. The Tree Farm is part of a trust in Smith's name that she will pass on to her nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Her stewardship spirit is still strong and evident by her activities at Lenoir. She headed a grounds committee that organized the improvement of the community's only forested land, a 20-acre plot donated through an endowment. In addition, she initiated a project to install a half-mile walking trail that weaves through the small plot of timber. Smith and her fellow residents also replanted a 100-foot corridor of trees along a half-mile stretch of a stream. Executive Director of Lenoir, Daniel Kem said, "She (Smith) has provided us with education and connected us with key people in conservation and forestry. Her contributions have been many and they have yielded outstanding results in nature".
- Amber Cox