AFA NEWSROOM - January 14, 2026
|
Central Alabama-
Join Us for the First AFA Regional Reception of 2026
March 10th - Auburn Oaks Farm
| |
Join AFA on March 10, 2026, at Auburn Oaks Farm in Notasulga for the 2026 Auburn Area AFA Regional Reception—an evening of food, fellowship, and industry updates with forestry professionals, landowners, loggers, and partners from across the region.
Schedule at a glance:
• 5:00 p.m. – Alabama Loggers Council Capital District Meeting (1 hour PLM CE) - Upstairs in the Loft
• 6:00 p.m. – AFA Regional Reception
Register by clicking the link below - Advanced registration is requested!
Interested in being a SPONSOR?We would love to have you partner with us! Sign up by using the same registration link below or call 334-481-2135 for more information.
|
Protecting the Forestry Workforce: Workers’ Compensation Essentials
| |
Forestry and logging play a vital role in Alabama’s economy, supporting construction, manufacturing, and responsible land stewardship.
This article explores the critical role workers’ compensation plays in protecting forestry and logging operations. From common workplace hazards and injury prevention strategies to coverage basics and long-term cost management, it highlights how the right approach to workers’ compensation can strengthen safety, stability, and sustainability across the industry.
This article was written by Joey Ammons, President of ForestFund.
|
SAF and Maritime Mandates: Reshaping Biomass Demand
| |
The center of gravity in biofuels is shifting, and an emerging pressure point is biomass. For years, road transport has dominated demand for waste- and residue-based feedstocks, absorbing most of the available supply of used cooking oil, tallow, distillers corn oil and other key inputs for renewable diesel and biodiesel production.
That era is ending.
Aviation and maritime mandates are accelerating at a time when biomass markets are tightening. The shift is creating a more competitive landscape for all participants, from refiners and traders to compliance teams and feedstock aggregators.
The question is no longer which fuel pathway grows fastest, but which sector secures the biomass first.
|
AFA Connect
January 15th at 11:00
| Join us this Thursday, January 15th, at 11 a.m. on AFA Connect for a one-hour webinar featuring Dr. Paul Jeffreys from ArborGen. He will discuss the management of bottomland hardwoods in Alabama. This session qualifies for one hour of continuing education credits toward PLM and CFE certifications. To register click the link below. |
South West Alabama - Join us in supporting Doug Harwell!
January 27 - 11:00 am
| Study Shows Costs and Sustainability Similar Across Steel, Concrete and Timber | |
WSP, mcCallumSather and ArcelorMittal unveiled the results of a theoretical case study at The Buildings Show in early December, which showed the costs and sustainability of using steel, concrete or timber are similar for a typical 12-storey, 287,000-sf, L-shaped residential condominium tower in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
A conference session titled ‘The Triple Bottom Line of Structural Materials: Cost, Speed and Life Cycle Assessment’ featured Brant Oldershaw, P.Eng., WSP’s director of structural, mechanical and electrical engineering for Southwestern Ontario; Willems Ransom, principal and architect for mcCallumSather; Matthew Winters, P.Eng., Steligence project manager for ArcelorMittal; and Mike Cortese, principal sustainability projects manager for ArcelorMittal.
| ForestPac Endorsed Candidate Norman Crow Wins HD63 Special Election | |
Tuscaloosa City Councilman Norman Crow won the House District 63 special election on Tuesday.
Crow defeated Democratic candidate Judith Taylor with 1,107 votes (64%) to Taylor's 610 votes (36%).
|
Why Businesses are Turning to Mass Timber For Office and Data Center Construction
| |
It’s the stuff of employer dreams in a post-pandemic landscape: something that studies say can increase employee focus, reduce absenteeism, foster a productivity improvement of 8 percent, and generate anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000 per employee each year. Those are some of the findings shared by Crow Holdings Managing Director Jim McCaffrey as he outlines the business case for mass timber buildings. “Even if the studies are half right,” he says, “that’s effectively a 20 percent rent offset.”
In his view, that offers more upside than a grueling lease negotiation. “There are a lot of people that are out in the market who are saying, ‘Well, can I get $5 more in tenant improvements? How can I reduce the rent rate by two more dollars?’” McCaffrey says. “Why not put your people in a great place and let them thrive?”
|
AFF & Partners are Hosting Upcoming Events Across the State
| |
Curious about how Prescribed Fire can enhance the health of your woodlands? The Alabama Forestry Foundation and its partners invite you to register for upcoming Learn & Burn events. Keep checking back - we will be adding more events across the state!
🔥 Hands-on learning
🌿 Expert insights
📍 Multiple locations – more counties coming soon!
Visit our events page to learn more about that county's upcoming Learn & Burn and secure your spot today!
| Online CE Available For PLM & CFE | Still need CFE hours? Check out AFA's online CE Classes available for CFE & PLM credit.... 2024 Bundle (5 Hours) is still available. Click the link below to see all the classes available. | |  |
|
Forestry's Financial Impact
by County
click map below
| Check out our sponsors by clicking the links below | Ledkins Insurance Agency, LLC |
Thank you to our sponsors
| |
