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August 21, 2024

 

I hope everyone is enjoying these last few weeks of summer. I know I'm excited for some cooler weather! In addition to cooler weather, we have so many things to look forward to in the coming weeks, including our Annual Meeting September 25 and 26. Speaking of, please be sure to register and book your hotel rooms if you haven't already. There are only three days left to take advantage of the early bird registration price and the discounted room rates. Scroll down for all the links you will need. I hope to see you at this year's Annual Meeting!

Legislative Updates


H-2B Visas

The first half of the H-2B visa cap is expected to be reached by September 18, three weeks earlier than last year. This earlier date is due to improved processing times at the Department of Labor (DOL), where the agency has achieved a 15% increase in applications processed per day. As you may recall, our friends at the Forest Resources Association (FRA) raised concerns with the DOL and met with key officials recently to address delays in processing times that had significantly impacted employers of H-2B forestry workers. In some cases, employers who should have received approval for H-2B forestry workers were capped out. Our counterparts at the FRA will continue to work with the DOL and Department of Homeland Security to ensure that those in our industry have access to non-immigrant labor, which is critical to sustainable forestry.


Truck Weight/Supply Chain 

A coalition comprised of associations representing Class 1 Railroad companies and smaller short-line rail operations, as well as unions and other groups, sent a letter to House leadership expressing opposition to H.R. 3372—an industry-supported bill that authorizes a pilot program for heavier 91,000-pound rigs equipped with a sixth axle to travel on our nation’s interstate highway system. (Federal highways’ current gross vehicle truck weight limit is 81,000 pounds on five axles.)


The letter was prompted by a sign-on letter request from Members of Congress supporting H.R. 3372, urging House leadership to vote on the measure when Congress returns in September. One of the supporting talking points for H.R. 3372 is that it would reduce truck traffic on local roads that frequently run through small towns and intersect crosswalks by encouraging shippers to move freight more efficiently on the federal interstate system. The opposition letter, written by the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks, turns that argument on its head by asserting that there would be several consequences for local roads and bridges.


The data points seem to be on our side of this issue. Our friends at the FRA will continue to pursue enactment of H.R. 3372 and our Safe Routes Act (H.R. 2493/S.1818) for the remainder of this session and into 2025 if necessary.

 
 
 

Earn 1 Category CFE Credit with Tomorrow's Webinar!


Adam Smith, Wood Innovations Specialist for the USDA-Forest Service, Wood Innovation Program, will present the webinar: U.S. Forest Service Wood Innovations Program: Impacts and Opportunities. Hear about topics such as:

 

🌳Mass Timber and Green Building

🌳Biomass

🌳Hardwood Applications

🌳Grant Opportunities

🌳Program Timetable

Register Today!
 

NCFA Annual Meeting


There are three days left to take advantage of the early bird registration rate and the discounted hotel room rates for this year's Annual Meeting! Be sure to register and book your hotel by August 25. Prices will then increase.

Register Here
 

PAC Tickets


If you have sold PAC tickets this year, please return your sold tickets to the NCFA office by September 16 to be entered into our drawing for a cash prize. If you need to pick up PAC tickets, please contact Jill Bite at jbite@ncforestry.org

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week:

Sept. 15-21


Before we know it, we'll be celebrating National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, an annual, nationwide celebration that recognizes and honors the vital contributions of truck drivers to our daily lives and the economy. Please let us know if you are planning something special for your truck drivers! Email your plans to mpowell@ncforestry.org.

College of Natural Resources Career Fair:

Oct. 2


NC State's College of Natural Resources is providing students the opportunity to connect with employers that are available for internships, part-time, and full-time employment opportunities. Consider being a participating employer at this year's career fair!

Click for Details

Forestry Landowner Summit:

Sept. 7


NC State Extension is hosting a Forestry Landowner Summit event in Hendersonville on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Registration includes lunch and light refreshments. Click the link below to learn more and register for this event!

Learn More
 
 

NCFA Annual Meeting | Sep. 25 & 26

3 More Days to Save!


This year's annual meeting theme is Forestry Horizons: Navigating Challenges, Seizing Opportunities. Our website has everything you need to plan your trip to Wilmington this fall. Please be sure to register and book your hotel by August 25 to receive the early bird rates!

Mid-Atlantic Logging Expo: November 1 & 2


Be sure to mark your calendar for this year's Logging Expo:


Growing Connections in Logging Communities


Learn More & Register Today!

Have questions about the next ProLogger base class? Email NCFA's Director of Forestry Programs, Mike Powell, at mpowell@ncforestry.org.

We've been blown away by the enthusiasm and interest from our members in wanting to serve as volunteers in the classroom this year. Thank you!


The new high school forestry course and credential kicks off this month in classrooms across NC! If you are interested in being a future resource for teachers and students, please fill out the short form linked below.

Take Me to the Form
 
 
Download Flyer

Group Health Plans Available


Earlier this year, NCFA teamed up with Cobbs Allen insurance agency and Blue Cross NC to offer exclusive health plans to our members who operate a forestry-related business and have one common law employee. Click the link below to learn more about available plans and eligibility before enrollment opens this fall.

Visit Website
 

Make a Difference:

Donate to the FFPAC


It's an election year, which means there couldn't be a better time to make a difference with a donation to the Friends of Forestry Political Action Committee (FFPAC). Your support of FFPAC will ensure that NCFA continues to support legislators who will vote in our best interests. If you are interested in donating, please reach out to Jill Bite (jbite@ncforestry.org).

Donate Today!

Employee Retention Credit Opportunity


The NCFA has partnered with Delta ERC to help members take advantage of the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) – a refundable tax credit for businesses and tax-exempt organizations. You are eligible if you kept 5-500 people employed throughout the pandemic.


Delta ERC is available to guide you through the application process. For more information, click the button below.

Click Here

Forestry Mutual Insurance is proudly endorsed by the NCFA as the preferred provider of North Carolina Workers' Compensation Coverage for the wood products industry.

To learn more, visit Forestry Mutual.

 

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