AFA NEWSROOM - November 14, 2025

The Alabama Forestry Association, Ainsworth, and Dixon come together to host a “Thank A Veteran” lunch.

On Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth campaigned with Republican Garrett Dixon in a hotly-contested Alabama House special election to fill the seat of former State Rep. Debbie Wood.

Ainsworth said he drove three hours on Veterans Day to campaign with Dixon ahead of a Tuesday GOP runoff election against Kristin Nelson to decide the next State Representative for the Chambers and Lee Counties district.

The Alabama Forestry Association, Ainsworth, and Dixon came together to host a “Thank A Veteran” Lunch at Beulah High School in Lee County.

2026 AFA Group Health Insurance -Open Enrollment November 3rd - 30th!

Health insurance costs are climbing nationwide-but your AFA Group Health & Welfare Trust team has been hard at work to minimize this year’s increases while continuing to offer the high-quality coverage options our members count on.

From November 3rd through November 30th, AFA-member companies can review and enroll in one of three Blue Cross Blue Shield medical plan options, each designed to fit a range of budgets and coverage needs:

BCBS Access 500 Plan
BCBS Premier Plan + Alliance Secondary
BCBS Value Plan

All plans include access to dental and vision coverage and are available exclusively to AFA member companies.

Effective Date: January 1, 2026

To explore plan details, identify qualification requirements, view rates, and access enrollment or re-enrollment instructions, click the link below.

This is your once-a-year opportunity to make changes to your coverage - or join the plan for the first time.

Don’t miss it!

AFA Health Plan Options

Framing Risk with Respect to Construction Labor Shortages and the Forest Industry

As analysts, investors, and managers, we each have different moments of awareness for recognizing the opportunity or problem of a situation. If we see a graph that shows timber acreage rising and forest inventory falling, our minds, thanks to years of experience in the industry, flag the contradiction and we start asking questions. However, those without similar backgrounds or insight benefit from guidance and frameworks, especially when faced with murky markets or economic uncertainty. In this post, we frame the risk to forest industry investments associated with labor constraints in the construction industry.

Forestry Endorses Katherine Robertson in 2026 Alabama Attorney General Race

The Alabama Forestry Association has thrown its support behind Katherine Robertson in the 2026 race for Alabama Attorney General.

Robertson, who serves as Chief Counsel for Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, has held her current position for nearly a decade.

According to AFA, her background includes serving as Vice President at the Alabama Policy Institute and earlier as a clerk and counsel to former U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Sustainability Roundup: Pulp and Paper Initiatives Driving Market Leadership

Sustainability is reshaping the global pulp and paper industry, sparking advancements that balance environmental responsibility with business growth. As demand increases for eco-friendly solutions, companies are leveraging innovative technologies to reduce carbon footprints, improve resource efficiency, and develop renewable, recyclable packaging materials. These industry-wide initiatives present new opportunities for forward-thinking organizations to lead in both market competitiveness and sustainable practices.

In this monthly roundup, we explore recent developments that exemplify the industry’s ongoing transformation.

2025 Alabama Loggers Council
Annual Meeting

December 6, 2025

Registration is OPEN!

Join Alabama’s logging professionals, foresters, and industry partners for a full day packed with insight, connection, and straight talk about the issues shaping our state’s logging community.

From boots-on-the-ground discussions to industry updates and policy perspectives, this meeting is your chance to learn, network, and help guide the future of Alabama’s logging profession.

We’ll close out the day the way we always do - with great food, great company, and the proud celebration of our 2025 ALC Logger of the Year!

👉 Click below for registration details, exhibitor & sponsorship opportunities.

Click the link below for more information!

Click to Register!

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

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