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COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Tree farmers and foresters celebrated their deep roots in Columbia Wednesday.

They are celebrating the 65th anniversary of the South Carolina Tree Farm Program that protects forest land.

The farmers and foresters talked to legislators about the importance of forestry as the number one manufacturing industry in the state and the need to support it.

"I've also seen the economy grow in forestry from $3 billion a year to $17 billion a year," explains George Kessler of the SC Tree Farm Commission.  "The opportunity for additional growth is present and that's also one of the things we are celebrating."

Economists say forestry is one of the main economic drivers in South Carolina.