FORESTRY 411

NEW FARM BILL: WHAT'S IN IT FOR FORESTRY?
The wide-ranging Farm Bill sparked controversy in many arenas before it was signed by President Donald Trump. Several issues included in the final bill will potentially impact forestry and the forest products industry.


EXECUTIVE ORDER
P resident Trump has issued  an Executive Order (EO) on Promoting Active Management of America’s Forests, Rangelands and other Federal Lands to Improve Conditions and Reduce Wildfire Risk. The EO calls for the streamlining of regulatory processes and the use of all applicable Categorical Exclusions to take actions -- including the use of timber harvesting and 20-year contracts -- to reduce fire risk on federal lands and in adjacent state and private lands. 



TARIFFS LIFTED ON PAPER-MAKING MACHINERY
Our associates at the American Forest and Paper Association report that nine specific machinery parts utilized for making paper and paperboard have been excluded from the additional 25 percent duty imposed under Section 301 on $34 billion worth of Chinese imports. The list was announced by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on December 28 in the  Federal Register . The affected parts and machinery are not made in the U.S.

Product exclusions will be retroactive to July 6, 2018, and remain in place for one year. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will issue instructions on entry guidance and implementation. 

FORESTRY LEADERS TESTIFY IN TALLAHASSEE
As the state legislature held committee meetings in preparation for the 2019 session, forestry leaders were on hand to share the forestry story, focusing on the impacts of Hurricane Michael.
Association members John Alter and Caroline Dauzat testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee. Alter, a landowner, shared about the catastrophic damage to his working forests as well as to the industry as a whole. Dauzat, owner of Rex Lumber Company, explained the current and future challenges the overall hurricane damage created for their mills and their potential effect to the local economy.


State Forester Jim Karels also testified before the Senate Environmental and Natural Resources Committee on the severity of the damages to the forest industry in the hurricane impact zone.

Both committees expressed their support for recovery and rebuilding efforts.

RIGHT TO FARM ACT UPHELD IN ALACHUA
Longtime Association member Jib Davidson recently called on the Association to help with some unexpected regulatory challenges he was encountering with a harvesting operation he had been asked to undertake for landowners in the city of Alachua, FL.

Association Director of Operations and Regulatory Affairs Mike Branch worked with Jib to clarify to city officials that the operation fell under the Right to Farm Act and was therefore not subject to the rules and regulations the city was trying to impose. After reviewing the Act, the city officials agreed and the operation was able to proceed.

Many thanks to everyone involved for their diligence in creating a positive outcome and following established laws and regulations.

Should you encounter any regulatory roadblocks for silvicultural activities, remember your Forestry Association is here to help!
FOUR FLORIDA SPECIES NO LONGER LISTED AS IMPERILED
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has announced that the Sherman's fox squirrel and three other species will no longer be listed as imperiled. The other species include the harlequin darter, Homosassa shrew and Monroe County osprey population.

CINDY LITTLEJOHN APPOINTED TO NWFWMD
Congratulations to Cindy Littlejohn for her appointment to the Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board!

Cindy, who serves on the Association's Board of Directors as well, is the co-owner and manager of Roe Sisters Tree Farms. Her term with NWFWMD began January 4, 2019, and ends March 1, 2022. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
LONG RANGE WEATHER OUTLOOK
The Florida Forest Service has released its long range weather outlook through March.

FOREST LOGISTICS SUMMIT
On January 25 at the University of Georgia Conference Center in Tifton, GA, the Georgia Forestry Association and the UGA Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources will host the Forest Logistics Summit. This unique event will bring together experts to present information and facilitate conversation on log trucking challenges in the forest products supply chain.This event has been approved for five (5) Continuing Forestry Education credits.

HURRICANE RECOVERY WORKSHOP
Tree Farmers in Jackson and Calhoun Counties have an opportunity to participate in an information-sharing event that will take place at the Blountstown Rivertown Church facility on Tuesday, February 12, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (CST). 

A Hurricane Recovery Workshop is designed to ssist hurricane-impacted Tree Farmers in the Calhoun/Jackson County areas recover from the devastating blow to their pine plantations that stood in the path of Hurricane Michael.

In addition to the speakers, who will address a variety of recovery topics and techniques, the keynote speaker will be Dr. Salem Saloom, a Certified Tree Farmer from Brewton, Alabama, who survived a similar hurricane. He will share his experiences, reactions, feelings, and action-path-to-recovery that awaits many tree farmers today.

RE-GROWING BIOMASS AFTER MICHAEL
Twin Rivers Land & Timber is hosting a seminar, "Re-Growing Biomass After Michael." The g uest speaker will be Tom Williams of Harvest Logistics.

February 13, 2019 at 9:00 AM (EST)
Gulf Coast State College (Gulf/Franklin Campus)
3800 Garrison Ave
Port St. Joe, FL 
Building A, Room 108/110 

For more information and to RSVP please contact:
Ashley Crosby at 229.326.1897 or  ashley.crosby@twinriverstimber.com
FARM CREDIT OF NW FL OFFERING SCHOLARSHIPS
Farm Credit of Northwest Florida is providing scholarship opportunities to six high school seniors within its chartered territory including 18 counties in the Florida Panhandle.

Preference will be given to students who are pursuing a degree in Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture or Veterinary Medicine. The recipients are selected based on their academic aptitude, vocational promise, personal attributes and leadership qualities.

Applications are due no later than  February 11, 2019,  by 5:00 PM (CST).

HUNTING FOR A WAY TO SAVE MONEY?
Partnering with Outdoor Underwriters, Inc., the Association offers our members special reduced rates for liability insurance for hunting leases and timberland.
 
Click here for details  or contact Mike Branch (850.222.5646 or  Mike@ForestFla.org ).
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
January 22, 2019
10 AM EST
Executive Committee Meeting
Tallahassee, FL

March 6-7, 2019
Forestry at the Capitol Events & Board Meeting
Tallahassee, FL

April 30, 2019
10 AM EST
Executive Committee Meeting
Location TBD