Faith, Family, Forestry & Fun

Published on Thursday, October 17th, 2024

Cody Haywood is a first year Forestry Management Technology student, a second generation MCC student, and the first to come to the Forestry Management Technology program from Montgomery Central High School.

Cody is from Mount Gilead, where he lives with his parents. Father Eddie, who went through the first-ever offered two-year MCC forestry program and graduated in 1996, is in a land management role with Jordan Lumber Company. Cody and his dad have always spent a great deal of time outdoors, accessing a large hunting club tract near their home in Mount Gilead.

While attending high school in a dual enrolment program, Cody sampled MCC’s Electrical Systems Technology pathway, opting instead for the Forestry Management Technology Program.

“It just felt more comfortable for me,” explains Cody. “I love being out in God’s creation. The beauty and complexity of the outdoors is really intriguing to me, and the idea that I will wake up and go to work out in the woods doesn’t seem like work at all. In fact, it sounds like a lot of fun.” In addition to the forest and timber aspect, Cody is also interested in wildlife, ecosystems and the environment generally.

Cody’s least favorite class thus far is Dendrology, the study of woody plants and their taxonomic classifications. “I don’t really enjoy memorizing information all that much, but I know it’s really important. I’m already looking at trees differently in my daily life because I can identify them.” His favorite class thus far is Forest Measurement, which provides quantitative information about trees and forest stands necessary for forest management, planning and research.

He is looking forward to his second semester classes, and exploring relevant employment opportunities during the summers. He describes his cohort of students as hilarious, hardworking and bright. “It’s like a big family. We are a diverse group, but we really enjoy what we are doing,” explains Cody. “I like investing time in these relationships because I have a feeling that we will all be working together and crossing paths throughout the state for years to come.”