May 2022 Issue <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Vol.6 Issue 11
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In this issue: A theme is selected for the 85th Annual Oregon Logging Conference, meet 2023 OLC President Craig Olson and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd OLC Vice Presidents, OLCF announce scholarship recipients, learn about the Future Natural Resource Leaders’ state convention, samples of artist Ole Olin’s art work, OLC and OLC Foundation receives a special award.
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85th Annual Oregon Logging Conference Theme Announced
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Green Trees Matter. Healthy Forests = Healthy Future. That is the theme for the 85th Annual Oregon Logging Conference, planned for February 23 – 25, 2023.
The theme was selected at the May 21st OLC Board of Directors meeting and is a combination of two themes suggested by Directors Mack Brown and Rob Vance. “Growing, harvesting, and manufacturing green trees is the poster ‘green’ alternative for healthy forests and the future, on so many levels,” said OLC Director Brown. And Vance said, “Forests need to be thinned to remove suppressed, dying, and overstocked timber to keep our forests green. Future generations deserve healthy federal lands for our great grandkids to enjoy and use, Vance added.” “The Board liked both, so we decided to combine them into one overall theme,” OLC President Craig Olson said.
(Photo used in theme advertising, courtesy of Oregon Forest Resources Institute)
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Plans Moving Forward for the
85th Annual OLC
The 85th Annual Oregon Logging Conference is only a short nine months away and was the primary discussion topic at the recent Board of Directors meeting. Plans are moving forward for traditional conference activities including:
- Wednesday pre-registration meet & greet at the Graduate Eugene Hotel
- Thursday & Friday Conference breakfasts and meetings.
- Thursday & Friday break-out seminars, hands-on sessions, and social networking at the well-known OLC Sawdust Bowl.
- Attend meetings and earn Professional Logger credits.
- An opportunity to sign up to compete in the 13th Annual Log Loader Competition
- The largest equipment show in North America, with millions of dollars of equipment on display.
Watch for updates in future OLC NEWS newsletters, as well as on Facebook and the OLC website.
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Introducing Craig Olson, 2023 OLC President |
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Craig Olson has spent all of his life playing and working in the Oregon woods. He comes from a timber family. Grandfather Jimmy Olson drove a rock truck and rafted logs on the Siletz River with his tugboat. Father Joel was an owner/operator log hauler and Uncle Floyd Clift was a timber faller in Alaska.
Olson grew up in Lincoln City, OR and the family moved to Clatskanie, OR in 1977. His dad was hauling tree-length logs into the new Longview Fibre sort yard. Spending his youth with friends hunting, fishing, chopping firewood, and exploring the forest, Olson knew there was only one place he wanted to work when he graduated from Oregon State University.
With a Forest Engineering degree in hand, he contacted Dave Bowden at Longview Fiber, and was hired to work on the Nehalem Tree Farm. “I have been fortunate to work on this land for the past 30 years,” Olson said, “currently with Weyerhaeuser.”
“This is an industry that is ever changing,” Olson said. “Regulation, environment, safety, cost, and the never-ending labor challenges have made us all look at how we operate and define our business models,” he added. “We have adapted to these varying challenges over the years,” Olson said, “always putting the forest first.”
Olson’s wife and 2023 OLC First Lady Kristi also comes from a timber background. Her grandfather worked in the timber industry as a shingle weaver and then a filer and mill foreman and she has uncles and cousins who are timber fallers. Kristi followed in her parents footsteps and became a teacher and has been teaching at the K – 5 level for 38 years.
Craig and Kristi have three children and four grandchildren. Daughter Kaprice and her husband Tyler and two children live in Kalama, WA, son Kody and his wife Ashley and their two children live in Adna, WA, and daughter Kaija is attending Arizona State University pursuing a business degree.
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Three Vice Presidents In Line
to Lead the OLC
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The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd OLC Vice Presidents (pictured below) are selected and designated to assist OLC President Craig Olson, the Board of Directors and staff in planning the Oregon Logging Conference and ensuring a smooth transition from year to year and a successful conference.
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1st Vice President
Steve Henson
Neiman Enterprises Inc.
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2nd Vice President
Jayme Dumford
Thompson Timber Company
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3rd Vice President
Mike McKibbin
Stimson Timber Company
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Scholarship Recipients Selected
With the awarding of 25 scholarships for the 2022/2023 school year, a milestone was reached of more than $1 million of scholarships awarded by the Oregon Logging Conference Foundation. Nearly 500 scholarships have been awarded since the scholarship program was established in 1968. We will highlight this year’s recipients in the June OLC NEWS newsletter, but here is a list of the recipients:
Oregon State University
- Matthew Scheuber, Forest & Civil Engineering, OLCF scholarship in the amount of $5,000
- Lace-Anna Shiffert, Forest Engineering, OLCF scholarship of $4,000 (Funds donated $2,500 OLCF, $1000 Oregon State Implementation Committee, $500 Rikki & Dave Wellman)
- Luke Donaldson, Natural Resources, OLCF scholarship of $3,500 (Funds donated $2,000 Pape' Machinery, $1,500 OLCF)
- Lily Hull, Forest Operations Management,OLCF scholarship of $5000 (Funds donated by Thompson Foundation)
- Caitlin Wind, Forest Management, OLCF scholarship of $3,500 (Funds donated $2,000 Bell Pole & Lumber, $1,000 Oregon State Implementation Committee, $500 OLCF)
- David Hamilton, Forest Engineering & Sustainable Forest Mgmt., OLCF scholarship of $3,500 (Funds donated $2,000 Giustina Resources, $1,500 OLCF)
- John Nicholson, Forest/Civil Engineering, OLCF scholarship of $6,000 (Funds donated $2,500 John E. Hadaller Memorial Scholarship, $2,500 OLCF, $1,000 Starker Forest)
- Karissa Hadermann, Natural Resources & Forest Ecosystems & Society, OLCF scholarship of $2,500 (Funds donated $1,500 OLCF, $1,000 Sundance Lumber)
- Dylan Miller, Forest Operations Management, OLCF scholarship of $2,500 (Funds donated $2,500 by Oregon Women in Timber)
- Miranda Coy, Forest Engineering, OLCF scholarship of $2,500
- Benjamin Grittins, Forest Management, OLCF scholarship of $2,500
- Jack Glover, Business & Forestry, OLCF scholarship of $1,000
- Caleb Joy-Norman, Pre-Forest, Civil Engineering, Forest Engineering & Resource Management, OLCF scholarship of $2,000 (Fund donated $1,000 Carl Welle Memorial Scholarship, $1,000 OLCF)
- Christopher Trapp, Forestry, Forest Management & Forest Restoration, OLCF scholarship of $1,000
Southwest Oregon Community College
- Jacob Mitchell, Forest Management, Forest Restoration & Fire Option, OLCF scholarship of $3,000 (Funds donated $2,000 OLCF, $1,000 Stuntzner Engineering)
- Joshua Theis (may attend Baker Institute of Technology). Welding Technology, OLCF scholarship of $3,000 (Funds donated $2,500 OLCF, $500 River Ridge Excavating)
Linn Benton Community College
- Brandon Talbot, Construction & Forestry Equipment Technology, OLCF scholarship of $3,000 (Funds donated $2,500 OLCF, $500 Lory & Harold Huffman)
- Hailey Whitfield, Practical Business Management, OLCF scholarship of $3,000
Umpqua Community College
- Jake Gerrard, Forest Management, OLCF scholarship of $2,000 (Funds donated $1,000 L & L Forestry, $1,000 OLCF)
- Isaac Cherry, Forest Management, OLCF scholarship of $3,000 (Funds donated $2,000 Douglas County Forest Products, $1,000 OLCF)
George Fox University
- Zakcrye Holsey, Engineering, OLCF scholarship of $4,000 (Funds donated $3,000 OLCF, $1,000 Chapala’s Mexican Restaurant)
Grays Harbor College
- Hunter Hinners, Applied Science in Natural Resources, OLCF scholarship of $5,000 (Funds donated $2,500 John E. Hadaller Memorial scholarship, $2,500 Oregon Women in Timber)
University of Montana
- Jacob Kennedy, Forestry, OLCF scholarship of $2,500
WyoTech
- Gage Hanson, Advanced Diesel Technology, OLCF scholarship of $3,000 (Funds donated $2,000 OLCF, $1,000 Teevin)
- Cole Taylor, Diesel Mechanics, OLCF scholarship of $3,000 (Funds donated $2,000 OLFC, $1,000 Carl Welle Memorial Scholarship)
Click here for details of the OLC Foundation scholarship program.
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Oregon Logging Conference Foundation
and Others Recognized by
Future Natural Resource Leaders
Outstanding teachers and Future Natural Resource Leaders (FNRL) supporters were recognized recently at the FNRL state convention. Some of the awards were presented in conjunction with the Oregon Natural Resources Educators Association.
The Oregon Logging Conference was announced as the Business of the Year in conjunction with the Oregon Logging Conference Foundation’s commitment to forestry education through the Future Forestry Workers Career Day, held annually at the OLC. “They have continued to educate communities about forestry and are working with FNRL to advance that knowledge,” FNRL Executive Director Rex Lowther said.
Other awards presented were:
· Cameron Salvitelli from La Pine High School, Outstanding Young Teacher
· Dick Powell from Starker Forests (retired), Contributor of the Year
· Jeff Skirvin from Waldport High School, Rob Waibel Educator of the Year
Regarding Powell’s award Lowther said, “Dick has spent many years teaching young people in forestry and helping forestry educators expand their knowledge.”
The Rob Waibel Educator of the Year award is a memorial to the late Waibel who was a forestry teacher and Timbersports competitor. “He loved his job and his students,” Lowther said. About Skirvin Lowther said, “Jeff was friends with Rob, and he has started several forestry programs at several different schools. He has a way to motivate and teach that is beyond what most people have,” Lowther added.
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Award presented to OLC by
Future Natural Resources Leaders &
Oregon Natural Resources
Educators Association
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Milt Moran, 2015 OLC president
receives award on behalf of the
OLC Board of Directors
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Olin Artwork Inventory Donated to OLCF Prints Available for Purchase
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Few people within the timber industry are not familiar with the artwork of Eldon “Ole” Olin. What may not be as well know is that his artwork is available for purchase, and that all purchases will benefit the Oregon Logging Conference Foundation scholarship program.
In January of 2021 Olin’s widow Bunny (Bernice) donated her husband’s artwork inventory to the Oregon Logging Conference Foundation, saying, “After 50 years in business, it’s time for me to retire.” At that time, Oregon Logging Conference Manager Rikki Wellman said, “We are honored to be the recipient of Ole Olin’s inventory. It is a very important part of the history of our industry,” she added.
There are several prints and ink drawings available, some as 5 x 7 note cards or 8 x 10 stationery. Examples can be seen below or to download the order form visit the OLC Foundation website.
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And a few of the ink drawings that are available as 5" x 7" note cards or 8" x 10" stationary. |
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Trying To Fill Dad's Boots |
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Future Natural Resources Leaders
Hold Convention
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For the first time in two years, Oregon Future Natural Resource Leaders (FNRL) gathered in person at Hopkins Demonstration Forest on April 29th and 30th. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two previous conventions were held virtually.
“It was great to get back outside and be in person," FNRL Executive Director Rex Lowther said.
There were 186 students that competed in 22 events over the two-day event. New FNRL officers were sworn in during an opening ceremony, which also included guest speaker Milt Moran of Cascade Timber Consulting, and past President of the Oregon Logging Conference. Also, at the opening ceremony a number of awards were presented (see related article in this newsletter)
FNRL was chartered in 2016 with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). FNRL is a student leadership organization partially funded by ODE but is an independent non-profit entity. FNRL was born out of the AOFC (Associated Oregon Forestry Clubs) after the student leadership center shut down in Salem in 2009. A small group of dedicated teachers from five schools kept the events going until the chartering of the new organization.
Waldport High School took the top team place this year with Sweet Home High School coming in second place. Philomath High School and Clatskanie High School rounded out the top 4 teams.
Events included both timber sports (axe throw, tree climbing, chainsaw bucking, choker setting, etc.) and what we call technical events. Those include tree and tool identification, job interview, speech, log scaling, timber cruising, etc. We have 20 official events, with 2 more events that are in the process of becoming official events. Those are wildlife identification and business math.
“Since 2016, FNRL continues to grow in both student numbers and member schools,” Lowther said. “In 2022 we will have 39 schools associated with FNRL and reach close to 3000 students annually,” he added.
FNRL is the second largest CTSO (Career Technical Student Organization) behind FFA in the state. This year's state convention set a record for FNRL in both student participation (186 kids) and number of schools (12) attending.
Lowther said, “As FNRL continues to grow, we are always looking for partners. We appreciate people and organizations who want to donate financially or can give time and other support,” he added. FNRL is a non-profit and donations are tax deductible.
"FNRL is the only program that is in the classroom every day providing forestry education to the next group of workers,” Lowther said. “Students from these programs are more prepared to enter the workforce than students who don’t participate,” he added.
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New State Officers from Left to right.
Kallie Maas, Secretary, Sweet Home HS.
Aaron Savage, Vice President,
Sabin Schellenberg.
Joslynn Winters, President, Scio HS.
Kadence Soto, Secretary, Scio HS.
Not pictured, Emily Dong, Sentinel,
Sabin Schellenberg.
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Job Interview (above)
Log Scaling (below)
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Thur the Trees Video Winners Announced |
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Winners have been announced in an industry sponsored forestry career video contest spanning the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. The Thru the Trees video contest challenged students aged 14 to 18 to create a video highlighting the value and variety of careers in the forest products industry.
First place was awarded to Victory Middle School in Meridian, ID for a video titled Bugs Eye View, second place was Early College High School in Salem, OR for a video titled The Importance of Forestry, and there was a tie for third place: Banks High School in Banks, OR for a video titled Learning About Forestry and Sweet Home High School in Sweet Home, OR for a video title Forestry Jobs.
Videos were judged on how well they highlighted forestry careers, quality and accuracy of content, engaging and inspiring, degree of ingenuity and creativity, and overall quality of video production, including visual and sound elements.
There were also eight $100 finalists including three from Sweet Home High School, Corvallis High School, Central Linn High School, Pleasant Hill School, and College High School in Oregon, and North Junior High School in Boise, ID.
Two teacher incentive awards were also given to Blake Manley, Sweet Home High School, and Angela White of Pleasant Hill High School. These teachers each received $500.
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FEBRUARY 23, 24, & 25, 2023
LANE EVENTS CENTER & FAIRGROUNDS
EUGENE, OREGON
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PUBLISHER / EDITOR / WRITER
Mary Bullwinkel, Freelance
Rikki Wellman, Conference Manager
Office 541.686.9191
Articles and photos are welcome.
Please contact rikki@oregonloggingconference.com If you would like to submit articles or photos.
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Quick Links To
The OLC Events
Links will be updated in July for the 85th OLC
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