AFA NEWSROOM - August 8, 2025

North Alabama - Shoal Area

Here We Come!

August 12th

Alabama Forestry Association Endorses Derek Chen for State Auditor

"The Alabama Forestry Association's commitment to stewardship is what responsible leadership looks like," Chen said."As one of Alabama's largest industries, I'm honored to have its endorsement for State Auditor and will always work to support the hardworking men and women in the forestry industry."

An Amazing Night in Monroeville!

Take a look by clicking the link below!

We had a fantastic time with 85 of our closest AFA friends....plus a few new ones! The Shop in Monroeville was a fantastic new location for the newest stop for our AFA Regional Receptions.

Thank you to all who came out and a special thanks to our sponsors:

Title Sponsor: Rayonier

Regional Reception Sponsors:Alabama AG Credit, Georgia-Pacific, IFCO/PRT Seedlings, First South Farm Credit, ArborGen, & Ziebach & Webb.

Click below for some pictures from our night.

Flickr Album

North American Plywood Market Set to Grow $6.55 Billion By 2033

The North America Plywood Market is expected to reach $23.37 billion by 2033 from $16.82 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of 3.72% from 2025 to 2033. Government spending, technological advancements, and eco-friendly practices are the primary drivers of the market.

Scaling Up Mass Timber: Closing Gaps, Fueling Innovation

Mass timber is transforming how America builds - but supply hasn't kept pace with demand. A gap in domestic manufacturing has slowed widespread adoption, leaving many developers with few options beyond overseas suppliers or traditional steel and concrete.

Through strategic support from the USDA Forest Service Wood Innovations Program, the Forest Service is helping close that gap - boosting U.S. capacity, strengthening rural economies and growing new markets for American wood.

One partner answering the call is SmartLam North America.

Back the Blue - Decatur, AL

Thank you to all who attended and those that came out to serve all of our wonderful First responders.

Click the link below to take a look!

Take a Look

Mark your calendar for September 7th-9th - the AFA Annual Meeting is returning to Perdido Beach Resort, and yes, we’ve got the entire place to ourselves!

It’ll be three days of reconnecting with forestry friends, industry updates, family fun, and a few BIG surprises we can’t wait to share.

Registration is OPEN!

Visit 2025AFAAnnualMeeting.com to register and keep tabs on the agenda as it comes together - we will be posting it SOON!

This is our biggest event of the year — and it’s shaping up to be one of the best yet.

Early Registration Discount ENDS next MONDAY - 8/11!

AFA Annual Meeting

Interested in Sponsoring?

No worries if you’re not locked in yet—there’s still time. Head to the Annual Meeting site to check out our full list of 2025 sponsorship opportunities.

Looking to add a little extra fun to your time at the beach during the AFA Annual Meeting?

Click each graphic below to learn more. You can add these events when completing your meeting registration or you can also purchase tickets separately!

September 7th

Sunday Night - AFF Low Country Boil Fundraiser - after the AFA Annual Meeting Opening Reception - Shuttles available to and from the Gulf State Park Pavilion.

September 8th

Monday Afternoon -

14th Annual Sunburn

Classic Golf Tournament

Shuttle available to and from the Peninsula Golf &

Racquet Club.

Virgin Fiber and OCC Price Trends in the U.S.

Pulp producers have a variety of feedstocks to choose from, including OCC from recycling markets, roundwood pulp logs, and residual wood chips produced in lumber manufacturing. Reporting these prices per ton of pulp produced accounts for the fact that pulp mills buy around 3.5 tons of wood per ton of pulp produced compared with a little over 1.0 ton of OCC per ton of pulp produced. Over the past eight years, wood costs for roundwood and chips have been relatively stable. OCC has been more volatile, swinging from $180 per ton of pulp produced to $27 per ton.

AFA Connect

August 21, 2025

Mark your calendar to join us for AFA Connect on Thursday, August 21, 2025, as the Forest Workforce Training Institute shares their presentation on ForestryWorks®. No AFA Connect programs will be held in June or July. Happy Summer!

Secure Your Spot

U.S. Pallet Sector Changes Over Time

The U.S. pallet industry produces an estimated 600 million new pallets annually. Over the past 16 years, the industry has transitioned from predominantly hardwood to using mostly softwood. Pallets account for about 1 out of every 3 hardwood lumber boards consumed in the U.S. and about 1 in 6 for softwood lumber.

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!

Events Calendar

Wood Manufacturing Assistance Team

Wood manufacturing facilities are essential to the forest industry supply chain - providing critical markets for logs, low-value stems, and residues. Sawmills, pellet mills, biomass processors, and other wood-using facilities provide essential markets that allow for active forest management and support rural economies across the country.

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.

AFA Online Education