FORESTRY 411
MASTER LOGGER 2-DAY TRAINING POSTPONED
Association Director of Forestry and Regulatory Affairs Laura Bosworth reports that the Master Logger 2-day course scheduled for June 3rd and 4th has been postponed until late fall due to COVID-19 concerns.

We will update everyone as soon as a date is scheduled. Any prior registration fees will be rolled over to this pending class for now. 

We are still tentatively planning to have our upcoming Master Logger Continuing Logger Education (CLE) course set for July 16th in Defuniak Springs, pending facility availability and current conditions. We are looking at webinar options as a backup and as a way to increase flexibility during these unusual times. We will keep everyone informed as plans progress. 

Please keep in mind that mills will allow you to use your registration for the 2-day class to deliver wood to the mills as we wait for the class to be rescheduled. 

Please contact Laura Bosworth at  Laura@FLForestry.org  if you have any questions or concerns. 
2020 ANNUAL MEETING: AUGUST 25-27 AT THE OMNI AMELIA ISLAND RESORT!
J ust imagine: Three days of feeling fresh beach breezes. Seeing sunlight glistening off the crystal waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Reconnecting with friends and business contacts (from a safe distance, of course!). Learning about the latest developments in Florida forestry. It's all happening at our 2020 Annual Meeting, August 25-27 at the Omni Amelia Island Resort!

That's right! We are excited to announce that, after much research, thought and deliberation and many conversations with the Omni, Association leadership has decided to move forward with our 2020 Annual Meeting!

We will, of course, continue to monitor the situation surrounding the coronavirus and adjust plans accordingly. You can rest assured that the safety and wellbeing of our members, staff, guests, and their families are our highest priority.

As such, we are working closely with the hotel to make sure that our meeting will meet or exceed all safety guidelines. For example, the Omni has offered a larger trade show room for greater social distancing. Spacing between seats at presentations and meals will be increased. Hand sanitizer stations will be available throughout the meeting space. And that's just the start! Learn more here .

To help put minds at ease further, this year we will also offer risk-free registration!

Be on the lookout for more information about our Annual Meeting in the coming days! If you are interested in sponsoring or exhibiting, check out the Annual Meeting section on our website for more information or contact Director of Member Services Whitney Hough at Whitney@FLForestry.org .

We are looking forward to seeing everyone there!
EFRP DEADLINE FOR HURRICANE MICHAEL EXTENDED THROUGH OCTOBER 30, 2020
The Florida Farm Service Agency State Committee has authorized an additional six-month extension to the April 30, 2020, Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) and Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) late filed period. This allows producers impacted by Hurricane Michael to apply for assistance under EFRP and/or ECP and be considered timely if application is made by the new deadline of October 30, 2020.

Contact your local FSA office to set up an appointment.



STATE BLOCK GRANT NEGOTIATIONS ONGOING
Negotiations on the details of the federally authorized State Block Grant Program for Hurricane Michael timber losses are ongoing between the United States Department of Agriculture and the Florida Division of Emergency Management and Florida Forest Service. We will share the program details as soon as they are finalized.
ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS REPORT RELEASED
Dr. Christa Court, Director of the Economic Impact Analysis Program in the Food and Resource Economics Department at the University of Florida, headed the team compiling the recently released 2018 Report on the Economic Contributions of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Food Industries.

CMN TASK FORCE NEEDS YOU!
We have been asked by Shands Children's Miracle Network (CMN) to help rebuild a Task Force to plan and execute a  NEW  Log A Load event in the North Florida area!

The Ride For Miracles (an ATV ride) has been cancelled, and CMN is looking for an event to replace the funds received from the ride. They really need task force members to plan and implement an event the forestry community will get behind and support. The task force will meet once a quarter; there will be a conference call option available if you can’t make it in person. 

I f you are interested, please email Whitney Hough at Whitney@FLForestry.org . She will have Stephanie Nicholas with CMN contact you with more information.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to build a very worthwhile cause from the ground up!
2020 VISION MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN
The Association’s “2020 Vision” membership campaign kicked off on May 1 and will run through November 1.

The format of the campaign is simple: Participants receive one point for every dollar in dues generated from the new members they recruit. The person who has accumulated the most points on November 1 wins. There is a 500-point minimum.

Many thanks to our friends at FLAG Credit Union for providing the prize -- a $500 gift card!

SILVICULTURAL CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
I t’s that time of the year to recognize our silvicultural contractors who work hard to provide valuable services to the landowners of Florida! 

Take some time to reflect on those who have helped get good work done and help us recognize these valuable members of the forest industry. Please complete the short nomination form and send to Laura Bosworth at  Laura@FLForestry.org . 

We will be accepting nominations until May 31 .
TAX TIPS FOR FOREST LANDOWNERS FOR THE 2019 TAX YEAR
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the federal income tax filing deadline has been extended to July 15 .

Each year the USDA provides forest owners, foresters, loggers, and timber businesses with a guide to the applicable federal income tax laws, including the latest tax law changes, for filing 2019 tax returns.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
June 2, 2020
10 AM EDT
Environmental Committee Meeting

August 25-27, 2020
Annual Meeting
Omni Amelia Island Resort
Amelia Island, FL


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