AFA Newsroom

AFA NEWSROOM V15N43, Oct. 21, 2020

2020 Alabama Loggers Council Annual Meeting

Don't miss the opportunity to meet with fellow professionals at the annual Alabama Loggers Council meeting in Prattville, AL. Gain 5 hours of PLM credit while learning more about issues directly impacting logging. Visit sponsors to see the latest options in equipment, trucking, and more. $100 registration through October 16th; $125 registration after October 16th - NO walk-up registrations.

Proclamation on National Forest Products Week, 2020

Our Nation’s magnificent forests are a source of commerce, recreation, and pride for all Americans. America’s woodlands are capable of producing a myriad of products and materials that bolster our economy, improve our daily lives, supply our environment with clean air, and provide countless Americans an escape to hike and relax in a tranquil and picturesque setting. During National Forest Products Week, we appreciate the essential role forests and forest products play in our livelihood and prosperity, and we renew our commitment to maintaining these treasured woodlands for future generations.

Allene and Foots Parnell, 2020 National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Finalist

Allene and Leighton “Foots” Parnell are passionate stewards of their 648-acre Foothills Farm, which has been in the Parnell family for more than 175 years. That long history drives home the importance of protecting and improving our natural resources for future generations. Foothills Farm is a perfect example of how to achieve that.

The farm’s name derives from its topography, which ranges from hills to valleys. Three year-round streams run through a mix of loblolly and longleaf pine and several hardwood species. A strategically planned road system runs throughout the property. Green fields, connected by walking trails, are planted with seasonal summer and winter seed mixes.

AFC Now Accepting CAREs Act Grant Applications

The Alabama Forestry Commission is NOW accepting applications for the CAREs Act Forestry Financial Assistance Program. The program is a financial assistance program to help timber owners adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Ivey has appropriated $10 million of Alabama's Coronavirus Relief fund money to this program.

The program will provide qualified landowners and/or timber owners a one-time financial assistance payment. The qualification timeframe is March 1, 2020 to July 31,2020.

5 most dangerous jobs in U.S., according to Labor Bureau statistics

Much of the country is working from home during the coronavirus pandemic. There are many jobs that can’t be done from the safety and comfort of the worker’s house, however.

Some of these jobs are among the most dangerous in the country. AdvisorSmith, a business insurance resource, used data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine the least safe occupations. For its study, AdvisorSmith examined 263 professions with employment of at least 50,000 workers nationwide.

Management Alert 20-03

Over the last few years, the Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative has examined outplanted seedlings from numerous independent sources across the southeastern United States from our members, contractors, and landowners to determine the underlying causes for seedling mortality. For many of these instances, the late planting of seedlings was a major contributing factor to seedling mortality.

Why is “Wood” in so Many Foods?

Trees play a critical role in the making of thousands of everyday products. In our #ItStartsWithTrees series, we look at the science that explains why. Today, we’re looking at the many foods made with the help of the forest.

Is there sawdust in your parmesan cheese? Are there wood chips in your cereal box?

Building material spending should boom in 2021

Almost $400 billion could be spent on building materials next year, and it will be a big shift toward single-family home construction spending with total growth at about 10%.

John Burns, CEO of John Burns Real Estate Consulting, delivered the forecast at the 2020 ProDealer Industry Summit. He said about 25% of next year’s growth will be spending on single-family home construction materials.

ForesTrust, LLC and the Future of the Global Wood Supply Chain

ForesTrust, LLC was introduced today as the newest venture to take advantage of Blockchain technology, universally recognized as one of the 21st century’s most innovative and powerful applications. This collaboration between the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (the Endowment), IBM and key stakeholders is designed to provide a cost-effective network to accurately and efficiently track wood and wood fiber from the forest to the consumer.

Auburn University researchers aim to fuel new markets from hurricane-ravaged timber

A team of researchers from Auburn University’s School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences is exploring ways to give new life to downed timber that has been decimated by hurricanes.

The body of research, coined “The Downed Timber Initiative,” aims to develop methods of retrieving fallen trees and branches that would otherwise go to waste or become fuel for wildfires, and then develop innovative products from the salvaged wood.

NAHB Chief Economist says more housing growth on the way

At the 2020 ProDealer Industry Summit, National Association of Home Builders Chief Economist Robert Dietz provided an uplifting outlook in regard to the near-term future of housing.

Dietz forecasts that single-family starts will rise 6% in 2020 and close to 950,000. This is a notable improvement over previous expectations but still below the 1.1 million starts needed, according to NAHB estimates. The projections are a big upswing from what the NAHB was predicting a few months ago.

Mass Timber Could Rival Steel, Concrete

With environmental benefits and lower labor costs, mass timber has grown into a market that could rival steel and concrete in the construction industry, according to the New York Times.

Wood has several advantages over other building materials—including slowing climate change—that are driving interest, according to the article. Steel and cement generate greenhouse gases during every phase of their production. By contrast, wood stores carbon, offsetting the emission of greenhouse gases.

US pellet exports top 585,883 metric tons in August

The U.S. exported 585,883.3 metric tons of wood pellets in August, down from 643,727.5 metric tons in July and 738,303.23 metric tons in August 2019, according to data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service on Oct. 6.

The U.S. exported wood pellets to approximately 16 countries in August. The U.K. was the top destination at 369,364.2 metric tons, followed by the Netherlands at 93,564.7 metric tons and Denmark at 55,318.6 metric tons.

Is Southern Yellow Pine Good for the Economy?

It’s easy to pick up some Southern Yellow Pine 2x4s for your weekend project, but do you know where your dollars are going? You might be surprised to know that there’s a big business behind your wood, and the lumber industry is actually one of the largest in United States.

Exemplifying the Circular Economy: National Forest Products Week 2020

October 18-24, 2020 is National Forest Products Week! To recognize the importance of products derived from America’s forests, the Congress, by Public Law 86-753 (36 U.S.C. 123), as amended, has designated the week beginning on the third Sunday in October of each year as "National Forest Products Week" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this week each year.

Sappi, Absolut & HP Making Sustainability Headlines in October

Despite major operational obstructions caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, HEINEKEN UK rolled out its innovative 100% plastic-free cardboard topper across thousands of UK retailers. The topper features on Heineken®, Foster’s and Kronenbourg 1664 multi-pack cans and is slated to roll out across the company’s entire beer and cider portfolio. Heineken UK’s commitment to innovate sustainably during this unprecedented time has kept the business on track to eliminating this type of plastic from supermarket shelves by the end of 2021.

Bringing the outside into the office: Coronavirus bolsters push towards healthier building design

Even as the coronavirus pandemic worsens in the U.S., stay-at-home orders in some areas have loosened and companies have sent some workers back to offices with social distancing restrictions, temperature checks and plexiglass sneeze barriers.

FREE Webinar for Forest Businesses

FREE Webinar for Forest Businesses (including loggers, foresters, mills, landowners, etc.)

Providing Employee Benefits for Forest Businesses (1 PLM, 1 CFE)

October 29, 2020 4:00-5:00 pm CST

Learn how providing employee benefits serves as a recruiting tool for your business and improves job satisfaction for your team. Gain understanding of forest industry benchmarks and how your business can meet them. Hear from Cobbs Allen, a national independent risk management and insurance brokerage firm, as they explain employee benefits. Access this one-hour virtual seminar from any location with smartphone, tablet, or computer. Registration is required to receive the access link.

Clear Water Alabama: Protecting Alabama's Surface Waters

The annual 2-day seminar-field day program scheduled this year at Cullman is being replaced by webinars.

The 1-hour webinars are at 10 - 11 a.m. and 1- 2 p.m. on October 22, and 29 and each webinar will provide 1 PDH.

Registration cost for all 6 webinars is $25.

Alabama FFA Commemorative Knife

Initial PLM Training

In-person Initial PLM training is available on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31, 2020, in Prattville. Pre-registration is required; space is limited.

Upcoming ForestHER Webinars

ForestHER: Prescribed Fire

November 3, 2020

https://www.aces.edu/go/foresther-fire

ForestHER: Map Reading

December 1, 2020

https://www.aces.edu/go/foresther-maps

Please see the attached document for more information on these upcoming webinars.

Hunt Lease Liability Insurance

Are you paying too much for your hunt lease liability insurance? We have the lowest rates in the state and offer the only insurance that provides Proof of Coverage IMMEDIATELY upon payment - when applied for online! You do not have to be a member to apply for Hunting Lease Liability Insurance.