FORESTRY 411
UPDATE FROM FRA ON FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR TIMBER HARVESTERS AND HAULERS
On Tuesday, our colleagues at the Forest Resources Association (FRA) reported that the USDA has provided a media release on financial assistance to ag producers that was provided for in the final Omnibus bill passed into law in December. Part of that assistance was discretionary language to provide up to $200 million in assistance for timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses. 

According to the report, the USDA has announced it will make the entire $200 million available for financial assistance to timber harvesters and haulers.

FRA also provided information that was not included in the release and is subject to change:
  • The USDA and Farm Service Agency (FSA) will hold a webinar that will provide those seeking assistance information on how to apply.
  • The FSA will be accepting applications for financial relief from July through September or October.
  • Applicants will receive an initial nominal payment when the application is received.
  • After the application period closes, the remainder of the financial assistance will be allocated.
  • There will be a cap on the amount any individual business can receive. We have heard that cap is $125,000 per business, subject to change based on demand.
ACTION REQUEST: SAFE ROUTES ACT OF 2021
Summary: The Safe Routes Act of 2021 (HR 2213) was introduced by Congressman Mike Gallagher (WI-8). This legislation would improve the safety of transporting raw forest products from the woods to a storage facility or mill. 

Background: The Safe Routes Act would provide a safer route for trucks hauling logs, pulpwood, chips, or biomass by allowing them to travel on an interstate route at state legal truck weights and configurations. Research has shown that allowing state-legal truck weights and configurations access to an interstate route for a short distance that avoided small towns, school districts, and intersections would improve safety, reduce CO2 emissions, cause less damage to rural roads, and reduce transportation costs for small logging businesses.

Action Requested: Complete FRA's action alert letter that will be sent to your representative. The letter requests that he/she co-sponsor the Safe Routes Act.

REGISTER NOW FOR MASTER LOGGER TWO-DAY INITIAL TRAINING COURSE
Do you or someone you know need to become a Certified Master Logger or Other Participant? 

The Florida Forestry Association hosts an SFI certified training class once every year. This is a two-day training course that covers a multitude of topics to become a certified Master Logger or Other Participant in the state of Florida. 

The class will be held July 29th-30th, 2021, at Gateway College in Lake City, FL. 

THIS WILL BE THE ONLY CLASS IN 2021, PLEASE REGISTER NOW IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING.

 
GRAY NAMED NATIONAL LOGGER OF THE YEAR
The Forest Resources Association and STIHL Incorporated honored Gray Logging, LLC from Madison, Florida, as the National Outstanding Logger at FRA’s 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting on May 19th.

A large group of family, friends, and colleagues attended the virtual meeting to watch former FRA Chairman Lee Alexander of International Paper honor Jerry Gray during the Zoom session. Gray received an honorary wooden plaque and a $1,000 check from STIHL. Gray Logging was one of five regional finalists for the prestigious national award.
FRA ELECTS PETE STEWART AS CHAIR
During its 2021 Annual Meeting, the Forest Resources Association’s Board of Directors elected Pete Stewart, President/CEO of Forest2Market and Fisher International, to serve as the association’s chairman for the next two years.
GOING BEHIND THE REASONS FOR LUMBER'S RECORD HIGHS
Brooks Mendell, President and CEO of Forisk, joined Worldwide Exchange to discuss the recent record highs that lumber is hitting, and the impact on various sectors.
SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE
Applications are being accepted for the 2021 Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention program for non-industrial, private forest landowners through June 18.

2021 ANNUAL MEETING
Plan now to join your colleagues and friends at the Association's 2021 Annual Meeting!

Held August 31-September 2 at the Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf & Spa Resort, the meeting offers a slate of outstanding speakers and networking opportunities.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE...
As the Association's Director of Communications for the past 8 years, I have had many opportunities to see the forestry family in action, sharing in each others' good times and bad, the joys and the sorrows.

Over the past several weeks, I have experienced the care and compassion of the forestry family personally. Words are not enough to express my gratitude for the many shows of support I received during the loss of my mom.

I could not ask for a finer group of people to go through this life with. Thank you for everything.

-- Lee Ann Fisch
LOOKING TO SAVE SOME BUCKS?
Partnering with Outdoor Underwriters, Inc., the Association offers our members special reduced rates for liability insurance for hunting leases and timberland.
 
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
JULY 15, 2021
8 AM-12 PM EDT
Master Logger CLE Training
Zoom

JULY 29-30, 2021
Master Logger 2-Day Training
Lake City, FL

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
Annual Meeting
Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf and Spa Resort
Panama City Beach, FL

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
4-5 PM CDT
Board Meeting
Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf and Spa Resort
Panama City Beach, FL
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