2022 OLC Will be Back in Full Force for the 84th OLC: Theme

June 2021 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Vol. 5 Issue 12

In this issue: Family, Friends and Forestry 2.0. That’s the theme selected for the 84th Annual Oregon Logging Conference in February 2022, scholarship recipients will be announced soon by the Oregon Logging Conference Foundation, and timber industry news. Have a safe and happy 4^th of July.

HAVE A

SAFE & HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

"FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FORESTRY 2.0"

The 2022 Oregon Logging Conference theme, Family, Friends and Forestry 2.0 will recognize and honor loggers, their families and the timber industry. If the theme sounds familiar, it should, as it is a “sequel” if you will, of the 2021 OLC theme Family, Friends and Forestry.

2021/2022 OLC President Scott Melcher suggested the theme at the recent Spring OLC board meeting, and it was met with unanimous acceptance and support for the other board members present.

“All three are tied together,” Melcher said. “My hope is to showcase the generations of families and friends that have been involved in logging and timber,” he added. “We plan to focus on who we are, what we do, and what we are planning to do,” Melcher said.

The theme calls attention to the many companies that have multiple generations of the same Family involved, and the proud heritage that is carried on.

The importance of Friends cannot be overemphasized. At the OLC and other related association gatherings annually, old friends reconnect to catch up on what has transpired over the past 12 months. New friends are made easily because of a shared bond, a shared lifestyle, a shared dedication to Family, Friends and Forestry.

Forestry is our livelihood, our culture, our way of life. And it wouldn’t be what it is without Family and Friends.

“I consider Forestry to be generational,” Melcher said. “Learning from yesterday, providing for today, and investing in the future. It’s a long-term commitment,” he added, “one that I and so many others make on a daily basis. I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Melcher said. “FAMILY, FRIENDS and FORESTRY”, are a very important part of our lives.”

Working On The Details

OLC officers, directors, staff, and volunteers are working on program details to identify potential speakers and facilitate informative and thought-provoking seminars and panel discussion topics.

More specifics will be included in future issues of the OLC NEWS newsletter.

Visit our website for updated information or call the OLC office 541.686.9191

2022 OLC TO BE IN-PERSON GATHERING

At this time, plans are moving full speed ahead for having the Oregon Logging Conference in the annual tradition, at the Lane Events Center and Fairgrounds in Eugene, February 24, 25, & 26, 2022.

On June 30^th, the state of Oregon lifted COVID-19 pandemic restrictions that had been in place for more than one year.

Masks are no longer required in most circumstances, but businesses can decide whether or not to ask customers to wear masks. Masks will be required in some settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, and public transportation.

The restrictions have also been lifted on the number of people who can gather in both inside and outside locations. As well as any restrictions for social distancing.

Stay tuned for OLC exhibitor and program information, coming soon!

Oregon Logging Conference Foundation Scholarship Recipients Announced Soon

The Oregon Logging Conference Foundation (OLCF) scholarship committee is in the process of reviewing 26 applications and will be announcing its selections very soon. Once announced, a news release will be posted on the OLCF website and also posted on Facebook.

It is anticipated that $40,000 in scholarships for the 2021/2022 school year will be awarded to deserving college students. These funds were raised through fundraiser events held in 2021.

Since the OLCF program was established (more than five decades ago!) in 1968, nearly 500 scholarships with a value of over $975,000 have been awarded.

We are planning to showcase each recipient in the July issue of the OLC NEWS.

Applications for the 2022/2023 school year will be accepted beginning December 1, 2021, with the scholarship application deadline April 1, 2022.

Click here for more details on the OLC Foundation scholarship program.

INTRODUCING TWO NEW BOARD MEMBERS

The Oregon Logging Conference (OLC) has added two new members to its Board of Directors. OLC welcomes Ed Fallon and Jacob Steensen, both life-long supporters of the logging industry.

Ed Fallon has over 40 years of experience in the logging industry. He began his career setting chokers behind a dozer and quickly worked his way up through the ranks learning all parts of the business from setting chokers on the ground side to cable logging and building roads. By the mid-1980s he had worked his way up to woods boss.

From 1990 to 2008 Fallon was out on his own doing mechanical ground logging. In 2008 he sold the business to Jeld-Wenn in Klamath Falls, and went to work for them as logging and chopping manager. In 2014 when the business was sold to Green Diamond Resource Company, Fallon stayed on managing all woods operations. Fallon left Green Diamond Resource Company in 2019 and since then has been logging and roads operations manager for the Murphy Company in White City.

Jacob Steensen a third-generation timber industry worker, born into a logging family. His great uncle cut the right of way for the Valsetz mainline. His grandfather and father were both loggers, and Steensen started setting chokers behind a Cat when he was 13.

History on the Valsetz mainline: The Valley and Siletz Railroad was incorporated in 1912 by the Cobbs & Mitchell Lumber Company, and construction started 1913. The mainline was opened all the way to Valsetz by 1920, where the line purchased about 2 miles of track from the Siletz Lumber & Logging Co. The total length of the mainline was about 40 miles.

Steensen attended Oregon State University from 2003 to 2006 and earned a degree in Forest Engineering. He then earned an MBA online through California State University.

He started for Georgia Pacific from 2008-2016, and now works as Resource Manager for Southport Lumber out of North Bend, Oregon.

For fun he hunts, fish, works on his property, and helps his wife Callie with her bees.

OLC EXTENDS DEADLINE TO VIEW

2021 VIDEO SEMINARS AND PANEL SESSIONS

Loggers now have until December 31, 2021 to earn pro logger credits by registering and viewing the 2021 Oregon Logging Conference video seminar and panel sessions. The original deadline was June 30, 2021.

"We understand everyone is busy and may not have the time to review these important videos in order to receive their pro logger credits", said OLC President Scott Melcher. "Extending the deadline gives more time to take advantage of this opportunity", added Melcher.

Registration is $25 (Click here to register) to view the 5 pre-recorded seminar sessions. A total of 9 Pro-Logger credits can be earned by watching all 5 pre-recorded sessions. Three of these credits will be forest practices.

Questions? Call 541.686.9191