AFA NEWSROOM - November 07, 2025

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

The World’s Top Pulp Producers and Consumers

As part of this quarter’s featured research in the FRQ, Amanda Lang is leading a deep dive into the driver’s of the current contraction in domestic pulp capacity. One of the common questions we hear from clients regards the impact of international trade on the U.S. domestic pulp industry. So who are the largest consumers of wood pulp? And who produces the world’s pulp?

Relive the 2025 AFA Annual Meeting

What a Week!

From start to finish, this year’s Alabama Forestry Association Annual Meeting at Perdido Beach Resort was one for the books!

We packed the house from Sunday through Tuesday with fantastic keynote speakers and panel discussions, plus the debut of a new attendee favorite - the AFF Low Country Boil. We had the 14th Annual Sunburn Classic & Taylor Beach Bash for afternoon entertainment! We also welcomed a new tradition to our Monday Night Banquet - A LIVE Auction alongside our traditional Silent Auction - all while enjoying great company and plenty of time on our beautiful oasis of Alabama Beach!

Now you can relive it all!

Visit our 2025 AFA Annual Meeting Flickr Album, by clicking the link below, to browse hundreds of photos from our time together at the beach. Download your favorites and share your memories!

Here’s to another successful meeting in the books. Thank you again to all of your wonderful SPONSORS and attendees for making this another record year! We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

2025 AFA AM Photos!

East Alabama! Please join us for a Veteran’s Day Lunch with Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth and House District 38 Candidate Garrett Dixon on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Beulah High School! All are welcome to join to have lunch with us to “Thank a Veteran!”

Alabama Supports a Large and Diverse Range of Trees, Plants and Wildlife

Read on to learn more about North Alabama's Shortleaf Pine Initiative and White Oak Initiative, designed to promote and protect Alabama's unique biodiversity.

Contact Tyler Sibley tsibley@alaforestry.org or Brad Nail bnail@alaforestry.org for more information.

AFA Back the Blue - Northport, AL

Thursday - 11/13/2025

Join us for a Back the Blue Cookout to thank local First Responders on Thursday, Nov. 13 at Northport City Hall from 11am – 12:30pm with Senator Matt Woods! If you would like to volunteer, please contact askipper@alaforestry.org

Lady Foresters -
Have you Registered?

November 12th - 10:00 AM

AFA ForestPAC Endorses Senator Steve Livingston and Representative Scott Stadthagen

AFA is proud to announce its endorsement of Senate Republican Majority Leader Steve Livingston for Alabama Senate District 8 and House Republican Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen for Alabama House District 9.

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.

Alabama Woods to Goods Week Celebrates State’s Forest Industry

Governor Kay Ivey recently declared the third week of October “Alabama Woods to Goods Week” to coincide with National Forest Products Week.

Oct. 19-25, was a week-long celebration to promote the state’s forest products industry’s professionals, resources, companies and environmental and economic impact. This year marks the fifth year Gov. Ivey declared Alabama Woods to Goods Week.The forest and forest products industry contributes more than $36 billion to Alabama’s economy and is more than just an industry to the 123,624 Alabamians who are employed as a result of the economic activity it generates.

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