AFA NEWSROOM - February 7, 2025

2025 Logging Legislation-

We Need Your Help!

As the Alabama Legislature convenes this week for the 2025 General Session, AFA has worked to introduce legislation aimed at improving our supply chain operations. This legislation focuses on three key objectives:

Promotes safety by limiting the number of trucks that can be weighed at once on portable DOT/ALEA scales (currently no limit).
Enhances supply chain efficiency by increasing single and tandem axle weights to 22,000# and 44,000# (plus 10% tolerance), respectively.
Streamlines the appeals process for citations, reducing the need to go to court.

Click the link below to learn more about this legislation and how YOU can help!

We Need Your Help!

Alabama Transitions Labor Dept. to Workforce, Targets Low Job Participation

Alabama now officially has a Department of Workforce.

Late Friday, Gov. Kay Ivey announced the state’s Department of Labor would officially change its name and focus on Feb. 1, with former State Sen. Greg Reed as the state’s first secretary of workforce.

The full transition for the department will take place later this summer, according to an announcement from Ivey.

Forestry's Financial Impact in Alabama- By County

Curious about forestry's financial impact in your county?

Every county in Alabama has a unique composition and contribution to our state’s vast range of forest ecosystems and industries. Want to learn more about Alabama forestry and what that means in your local community? Check out our individual county “Forestry Impact Facts” by clicking on the link below.

Forestry Impact Facts

Tariffs on Imports from Canada? Tell Me More!

Between reporting on artificial intelligence and the Luka Doncic trade to the LA Lakers, news leaked about potential U.S. tariffs on imports from Canada. While headlines screamed – see the January 31^st The Wall Street Journal editorial “The Dumbest Trade War in History” – the markets for many items, including softwood lumber, remained subdued, as measured by the limited “forward buying” (stockpiling) of key building products over the past week.

Let’s take a moment to provide context for the role of tariffs and their relative policy importance to markets for housing, lumber, and timber.

AFA Connect

February 20, 2025

Join AFA Connect at 11:00 am CST on Thursday, February 20, 2025, to learn about the Alabama Drought Reach Program from Program Manager Brianne Minton. The Alabama Drought Reach Program focuses on increasing drought communication and impact reporting in Alabama, with the hopes of improving overall drought literacy throughout the state. Brianne also works as the liaison between the Alabama Office of the State Climatologist and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Earn one CFE/PLM hour.

Initial PLM Course

Monroeville, AL - March 5, 2025

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!

Click on an image below to learn more about that county's upcoming Learn & Burn and secure your spot today!

Tallapoosa County

RESCHEDULED FOR

February 17th - 21st

Calhoun County

February 24th - 28th

Henry County

February 24th - 28th

Shelby County

March 3rd - 7th

Online CE Available For PLM & CFE

Still need CFE hours? Check out AFA's online CE Classes available for CFE & PLM credit.... New 2024 Bundle (5 Hours) is available now. Click the link below to see all the classes available.

AFA Online Education