GIVE THANKS



By: Steph Phillips-Taggart,

KWPA Executive Director

When my children were growing up, I often reminded them how lucky we were to call Pennsylvania home. With its abundant forestlands, beauty is never far from our doorstep. But in autumn, the Commonwealth offers an especially vivid reminder of just how much we have to be grateful for.

A fall day in Penn’s Woods invites us to slow down. Leaves crunch beneath our feet. A cool breeze sends others drifting through the air, while the hardwoods glow in shades of gold, orange, and red. Even a familiar path feels a little extraordinary.

This November, let’s pause to give thanks for Pennsylvania’s forests—and for all they bring to our lives. They offer places to explore, scenery to savor, and beautiful wood products we use every day. They also support jobs that sustain families and communities. Whether we’re walking beneath the trees or gathering around a wooden table, we have good reason to appreciate the gifts of Penn’s Woods. Happy November!

STRONGER TOGETHER: MOVING FORWARD

KWPA HOSTED ITS ANNUAL MEETING



The Pennsylvania wood products industry is built on hard work, innovation, and collaboration. On October 13, KWPA brought that spirit together at its annual meeting entitled, “The Path Forward," which was held at Mt. Nittany Overlook Event Center, Centre Hall.

We were honored to have PA State Rep. Paul Takac, PA State Rep. Michael Stender, PA State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, and PA State Rep. David Rowe speak about their support of the forest products industry. Matt Wise from Senator Gene Yaw’s office and Loren Glossner from Senator Cris Dush's office also attended to show their industry support.

Keynote speaker, Kelly Kundratic Ausherman, agriculture director at Team Pennsylvania highlighted opportunities within the emerging market of mass timber. She shared how Team Pennsylvania is creating a path forward by unifying partners.

KWPA board member, Cam Koons awarded Jarrett Easton, a sophomore at Penn State Ecosystem Science and Management with the 2026 Lauchle Scholarship award. KWPA’s executive director also highlighted KWPA’s outreach efforts, which are guided by a volunteer board of directors.

KWPA board members include Levi Neimond of Alderfer Lumber; Nate Metzler of Metzler Forest Products LLC; Ben Remmey of REMMEY The Pallet Company; Keith Atherholt of Lewis Lumber Products Inc; Cody Campion of Keystone Timber & Forestry LLC; Erik Boose of RT Machine Company; Wes Miller of A.M. Logging; Bryan Seward of SUN Area Technical Institute; Jeremy Roupp of Bingaman & Son Lumber, Inc.; Cam Koon member emeritus retired from Deer Park Lumber, Inc.; Lou Sycz, member emeritus; and newly elected board members—Nathan Meiser of Horizon Farm Credit and John Pecchia, PhD of Pennsylvania College of Technology.



An overview of KWPA's efforts can be found here. A big thanks to KWPA’s board of directors and to everyone who attended the meeting in support of KWPA!

PROMOTING PENNSYLVANIA HARDWOODS NEAR & FAR

From New York City’s skyscrapers to Lancaster County’s cornfields, KWPA spent forest products week traveling the East coast to promote Real American Hardwood homegrown in PA.

The first stop: the Greenbuild International Tradeshow and Expo in New York City. Alongside the Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council, National Hardwood Lumber Association & Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group, KWPA helped architects and designers explore the use of hardwood—one of the greenest building materials available. Conversations with attendees included hardwood’s traditional and innovative uses and its role as a renewable resource that checks many certification boxes. We highlighted carbon storage and the low environmental impact of hardwood production, bringing its potential in green building applications into focus.

Next stop: Wood Pro in Lancaster County, where KWPA joined the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association, the Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council, and Northern Tier Hardwood Association. KWPA also had several member companies in attendance including—Bingaman & Son Lumber, Inc., Lewis Lumber Products Inc and RT Machine Company . Keith Atherholt, president of Lewis Lumber offered a presentation entitled, “The Many Ways Hardwoods Can Add Value to Your Projects.” On the floor, attendees and exhibitors also discussed building applications, processing equipment and technologies shaping the hardwood industry’s future.

Although it was a whirlwind of a week, KWPA is thankful for the opportunity to highlight Pennsylvania’s (and the world’s) most beautiful renewable resource--hardwood.

MANUFACTURING DAY CELEBRATED AT

LEWIS LUMBER PRODUCTS

Keystone Wood Products Association (KWPA) was proud to participate in the Manufacturing Day celebration at Lewis Lumber Products in Picture Rocks. Held in conjunction with the Innovative Manufactueres Center (IMC), manufacturing day highlights the vital role manufacturers play in our communities, state economy, and workforce while introducing the next generation to rewarding career opportunities in manufacturing.

As part of the celebration, Lewis Lumber Products welcomed students, administrators, teachers, and community officials for a behind-the-scenes facility tour, offering a firsthand look at how Pennsylvania’s wood products industry transforms a renewable natural resource into valuable products. The tour provided an opportunity to showcase modern manufacturing processes, the skill and innovation behind wood products, and the diverse career paths available throughout the industry.

Events like Manufacturing Day help bridge the gap between education and industry, build awareness of local career opportunities, and inspire the next generation of skilled workers. KWPA is proud to support manufacturers like Lewis Lumber Products that open their doors, strengthen community connections, and help build a strong, sustainable future for Pennsylvania’s wood products industry.

DCNR MILESTONE--HARVESTING 1 BILLION BOARD FEET

On October 9th, KWPA had the privilege of attending Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, one billionth board feet celebration at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Potter County.



Recognizing the direct connection between harvesting and forest health, in 2004 the Bureau of Forestry, with the help from Penn State University, instituted a new harvest allocation model to help sustainably manage the state's 2.2-million-acre state forest system. Their effort ensures that woodlands will provide recreation for generations to come, while improving forest health, enhancing wildlife habitat, and fueling the state’s forest products industry regardless of market conditions.

DCNR recently harvested the billionth board foot, and it was sawed on a historic steam-powered circular blade sawmill at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum with countless stakeholders present. Prior to the ceremonial cutting, DCNR hosted a myriad of speakers including PA DCNR Secretary, Cindy Adams Dunn, State Forester, Seth Cassell, Lumber Heritage Region of Pennsylvania, Inc.. Executive Director, Holly Komonczi and Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group, Executive Director, Amy Shields.

It was an incredible milestone that supports the forest products industry, which contributes over $39 billion annually to the state’s economy. To put it into perspective, DCNR Secretary Dunn said it best, "One billion board feet of sustainably harvested timber is enough to circle the Earth about eight times--that is a lot of lumber!"

CONNECTING STUDENTS TO CAREERS

In early October, KWPA had the privilege of participating in Jersey Shore Area High School's career fair. Retired DCNR natural resource program specialist, Karl Maul and KWPA’s executive director, Steph Phillips-Taggart talked with 9-12th graders about careers within the #1 sector of agriculture—the wood products industry. Thanks to Jersey Shore High School for the opportunity to connect!

M&D STAVES HOSTS EUROPEAN JOURNALISTS

A big thanks to KWPA member M & D Staves for hosting the American Hardwood Export Council SEA and a group of European journalists on Oct. 7th. The tour gave media members a better understanding of value added wood products. From stave and barrel production, they learned about each step and how U.S. manufacturers implement processes that support sustainable forestry practices while using every part of a harvested tree!

ALIFT HELPS INJURED LOGGING CONTRACTOR



ALIFT (Assisting Loggers Immediately Fund Trust) a non-profit, recently provided financial assistance to Mifflinburg, PA area logging contractor, Nelson Weaver. Nelson was seriously injured in a logging accident when a tree under tension swung back and broke bones in his lower leg. He will need surgery later this week to repair the damage. ALIFT provided funds that will help out Nelson's family as he recovers over the next 8 weeks. Please keep Nelson and his family in your prayers. Jim Soltis, ALIFT President said, "This is the second accident in the last few weeks that ALIFT was able to help out with. If you are able to donate, you will be helping the next family in need". Find out more about ALIFT and how to donate on their facebook page found here. PHOTO:Nelson Weaver holds an ALIFT check.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday, November 5

10 AM-1 PM

PA Hardwoods Development Council Meeting

State College

Saturday, Nov. 7th

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Forestry Association's 140th Anniversary Symposium

Featuring Ethan Tapper

The Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center

State College

Registration info here.