March 2022 Issue <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Vol.6 Issue 9
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In this issue: Photo album and results from the 84th annual Oregon Logging Conference, 2022-2023 OLC officers announced, and Oregon Logging Conference Foundation scholarship application deadline extended. Save the Dates for the 85th Annual OLC February 23- 25, 2023.
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84th Annual
Oregon Logging Conference
A Huge Success!
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In traditional fashion, the 84th Annual Oregon Logging Conference was held at the Lane Event Center and Fairgrounds in Eugene, February 24 – 26, 2022. Many attended commented how nice it was to gather in person this year.
“After the last two years, the best thing about this year is getting back together,” 2021/2022 OLC President Scott Melcher, of Melcher Logging in Sweet Home said. “I think that’s one of the strengths, the connectivity and the bonds that we have,” he added. “We might be competing against each other one day, and the next we’re sitting down talking and sharing ideas.”
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President Scott Melcher
delivers his President's Message
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Melcher Logging &
THI show off their new service truck from Charlie at Carco Industries
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Melcher Family
(standing) Nate, Chris, (seated) Scott, Wendi, Shan and grand-daughter Elliott
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Conference Manager Rikki Wellman said this year, there was more equipment on display outdoors compared to previous years. And while paid registration was slightly down this year, there was no dip in attendance with many industry professionals and members of the public participating in the OLC.
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“The last couple of years have been a challenge for all of us,” Wellman said. “Being together in 2022 helped restore the traditions of the OLC,” she added, “seeing our friends faces again and enjoying the camaraderie.” |
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Keynote speaker Blake Manley shared his incite and success in engaging and encouraging young men and women to consider careers in the logging and forestry industries. Manley is a Natural Resources teacher at Sweet Home High School, creator of the Manley Jobs career video YouTube series, Chair of the Oregon Natural Resources Teachers Association, and a logger.
Manley was also the speaker at the 18th Annual Desserts for Dreams luncheon, where he suggested ways to continue reaching out to young women and men with information about the logging and other natural resource industries.
The charity selected by Oregon Logging Conference First Lady Wendi Melcher, to receive proceeds from the event was the Sweet Home High School Forestry Club, which will receive more than $10,500.
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Seminars and Panel Discussions
Topics of current interest were discussed at the 84th Annual Oregon Logging Conference, while many of those attending earned Professional Logger credits to stay certified and up to date on several issues. Topics addressed included:
- The Private Forest Accord
- A changing labor force (Better Ideas/New Technology in Logging)
- Reducing worker stress and fatigue from day-to-day equipment operation
- Your voice, your vote counts
- Log damage caused by modern processing equipment
- Oregon and Washington Forest Practices Act seminars
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Future Forestry Workers Career Day
More than 450 high school students from 21 Oregon schools attended the Future Forestry Workers Career Day. The students interacted with industry professionals and learned about job opportunities and careers in sawmills, reforestation, truck driving, equipment operation, welding, and diesel mechanics.
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OSU host the simulator competition |
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Students operator mini excavator |
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Sierra Pacific Industries talk to students about job opportunities |
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High School Logging and Forestry Skills Competition
Eight high school forestry clubs participated in a logging and forestry skills competition which include cable splicing, choker setting, crosscut and single buck sawing, compass and pacing, tool identification, log scaling and axe throwing.
The Waldport High School Forestry Club took 1st, 3rd and 4th places and Philomath High School took 2nd place in the competition.
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1st Place, 3rd Place and
4th Place
Waldport HS Forestry Club
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2nd Place Philomath HS Forestry Club |
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Students show their skills |
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Oregon Logging Conference Foundation Auction Funds to Support Industry Scholarships
$28,000 was raised during the Thursday and Friday auction at the Oregon Logging Conference. This money will be used for scholarships and other educational endeavors, including the above-mentioned Future Forestry Workers Career Day.
The OLC Foundation extends our Thank you to our auctioneer Jaime Yraguen and to the many companies for their generous donations to the auction.
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Log Loader Competition
You’ll recognize the winner’s names in this popular competition.
First place was Zane Bryant of Bryant Logging in Beaver Creek, OR with a time of 2:57:09. Second place was Justin Jackola of Rice Logging in Sweet Home, OR with a time 3:34:16 and third place was Bryan Chipps of Green Diamond Resource Company in Korbel, CA with a time of 3:42:17.
This popular outdoor event tests the skills of log loader operators, as they demonstrate speed, skill, and efficiency. Operating a Link-Belt log loader, contestants have seven minutes to stack log blocks end-to-end, matching numbers or colors on predetermined marks on the ground.
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Second Place Justin Jackola |
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Guess the Net Scale
Tristan Lulay of Scio was the winner of the Guess the Net Scale of the load of logs on display at the Oregon Logging Conference. He was right on when he guessed 5,410 feet. More than 600 people submitted guesses with quite a few people within 100 feet and two guesses within 10 feet of the net scale. Lulay will take home a $250 Cabela’s gift card.
Thank you to Swanson Bros Lumber Co., and Leonard Maser for sponsoring this event.
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Family Day at the OLC
Several fun activities such as building bird houses were popular during family Day at the OLC.Children and adults also learned about forestry and wildlife, met up with Smokey the Bear, and enjoyed the outside and inside logging industry related displays.
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Oregon Women in Timber Dinner/Auction
The Talk About Trees auction was a huge success with sellout crowd of 450 plus people in attendance. The auction proceeds of $117,000 will support OWIT’s Talk About Trees forest education program, which is offered free to pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade students.
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2022-2023 OLC Officers Announced
The 2022-2023 Oregon Logging Conference Board Offices and staff are:
- Craig Olson, President, Weyerhaeuser Co., Vancouver, WA
- Steve Henson, First Vice President, Neiman Enterprises LLC, Spearfish, SD
- Jayme Dumford, Second Vice President, Thompson Tree Farms, Corvallis, OR
- Mike McKibbin, Third Vice President, Stimson Lumber Co., Tillamook, OR
- Milt Moran, Treasurer, Cascade Timber Consulting, Sweet Home, OR
- Rikki Wellman, Manager, Oregon Logging Conference, Eugene, OR
Standing: Steve Henson, Milt Moran, Craig Olson
Seated: Jayme Dumford, Mike McKibbin
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The 85th Annual Oregon Logging Conference is scheduled for February 23, 24 & 25, 2023 at the Lane Event Center and Fairgrounds in Eugene, OR.
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Scholarship Deadline Extended to April 15, 2022
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Applicants for Oregon Logging Conference Foundation (OLCF) scholarships have until April 15, 2022 to turn in their completed paperwork. This date is extended from the original April 1st deadline. Scholarship applications must be mailed to the OLCF office (P.O. Box 10669, Eugene, OR 97440).
Once received, scholarship applications are reviewed by a committee of six to eight members of the OLCF Board of Directors. Recipients will be selected at the Board’s June 2022 meeting and will then be notified by mail. Recipients will also be featured in the July 2022 issue of OLC NEWS.
The OLCF scholarship fund is increasing by $28,000, the amount raised from the two-day auction which took place at the 84th Annual OLC in February. We greatly appreciate all auction donors, bidders, auctioneer, runners, and staff for their efforts making possible this financial assistance to students in need.
Guidelines and applications are available click here to download. If you have questions, please call OLC Foundation 541.686.9191
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Save The Dates
85th Annual Oregon Logging Conference
February 23 - 25, 2023 at the Lane Event Center and Fairgrounds in Eugene, Oregon
We look forward to seeing you next year
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OREGON LOGGING CONFERENCE
FEBRUARY
23rd, 24th & 25th, 2023
LANE EVENTS CENTER & FAIRGROUNDS
EUGENE, OREGON
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PUBLISHER / EDITOR / WRITER
Mary Bullwinkel, Freelance
Rikki Wellman, Conference Manager
Office 541.686.9191
Articles and photos are welcome.
Please email rikki@oregonloggingconference.com
If you would like to submit articles or photos.
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Quick Links to OLC Events |
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