Forests Magazine Fall 2021

Alabama

Fa l l 2021

Restoring History on

FLAGG MOUNTAIN

Timber Titan BOB SHARP

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Hancock Forest Management Group

“BACK THE BLUE” TOUR p55

Logger Profile

BL Logging, LLC PUBLIC SERVICE PROFILE

Rep. Steve Clouse

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Alabama Forestry Association, Inc. Chris Isaacson, AFA President & CEO

contents

OFFICERS Chairman............................ DeWayne Oakley Vice Chairman...............................Ray Colvin Treasurer....................... Stephan Tomlinson Immediate Past Chairman....... Al Bracewell ForestPAC Chairman...................Will Conrad DISTRICT DIRECTORS Black Belt District... Lillian Buchanan Henson Capital District......................... Russell Miller Delta District............................ Gray Skipper Longleaf District............... Hooper Matthews Mountain District.............Jon-Micheal Clark Piedmont District........................... Tyler Slay Valley District......................... Casey Newton Vulcan Disctrict......................... Jerry Knight Warrior District............................. Keefe Burt Wiregrass District........................... Alan Jaye

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Timber Titan

Bob Sharp

FEATURES

ALC REPRESENTATIVE Freddy Tidwell FOREST FUND REPRESENTATIVE Kevin Kennedy FORESTRY LEADERS REPRESENTATIVE Gee Allgood AT-LARGE DIRECTORS Wendy Coyle Dale Brown Pete Bertucci Douglas Ziebach Keith Plott Matt Ezekiel Alexander McCall Jarod Fryman Phillip Smith Guice Slawson, Jr. ALABAMA FORESTS EDITOR Jordan McCurdy GREEN HORIZONS EDITOR Cliff O’Rear ADVERTISING CONTACT Jacquie Powell

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Member Spotlight Hancock Forest Management Group

ALABAMA FORESTS

Back The Blue Tour

56

AFA 2020 Impact Overview

9

17 Raptor Tour Kick Off

Flagg Mountain Green Horizons Tree Farm Landowners

53

FFA Forestry Judging Competition

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55

AFA Employee Spotlight

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GRAPHIC DESIGN Emily Cobern Alabama Forests (USPS #025-358) is an official publication of the Alabama Forestry Association, 555 Alabama Street, Montgomery, AL 36104, and is published five times a year. The AFA reserves the exclusive right to accept or reject advertising or editorial material submitted for publication. Advertising rates quoted upon request. Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery, Ala. Postmaster: Send address changes to Alabama Forestry Association, 555 Alabama St., Montgomery, AL 36104.

Public Policy Series Logger Profile BL Logging, LLC

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Steve Clouse Public Service Profile

Regional Receptions are Back!

Bainbridge Block Party

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IN EVERY ISSUE From the AFA President & CEO Dean’s Notebook Advertisers Index

Connect With Us Today!

Alabama Forestry Association

FALL 2021 | Volume 66 | Number 3

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2021 ALABAMA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 12-14 WE'LL SAVE YOU A SEAT...

From AFA President & CEO Chris Isaacson

NOT SO SIMPLE One thing I’ve learned during my tenure at AFA is. . . things are never as simple as they seem.

No candidate we support will agree with our position all the time.

Well-intended legislation can be fraught with unintended consequences.

Rarely is something as straightforward as it seems.

Consider the political arena. In 2009, Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright (D) was elected to Congress in the 2nd Congressional District following the retirement of Congressman Terry Everett. A “Blue Dog Democrat,” Bright’s voting record earned him the reputation as the most conservative member of the House Democratic Caucus.

Initiative, an ambitious effort to mitigate climate change by growing and conserving one trillion trees worldwide by 2030. Then, this past April, Arkansas Congressman Bruce Westerman, the only forester in Congress, reintroduced his Trillion Trees Act calling it a “free market driven environmental solution” to climate change.

At AFA, we start with a set of core principles. Adopted by our founding members and enshrined in our bylaws, these four principles form the foundation for what we do:

In 2010 when it came time for endorsements, most business groups said the decision was easy.

Bright was an incumbent with a solid conservative voting record and was a member of the president’s party. Simple decision, right? Not so fast, said AFA’s political action committee (ForestPAC). Directors argued that, while his voting record was conservative, his most important vote elected Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi to Speaker of the House and in that role she helped President Obama usher in the most overreaching federal regulatory environment in history (at least until now).

On the surface, these policy initiatives recognize the valuable role that forests play in sequestering carbon and advance the narrative that AFA and countless other forestry organizations have been promoting – healthy forests play a key role in mitigating climate change.

These principles are the lenses through which we view legislation and serve as the criteria we use to evaluate candidates. They drive the policies we promote and the positions we take.

Sounds like a bill the forestry community should rally around, right? Not so fast, say some critics.

They argue that the last thing we need is another CRP-style program that 20 years from now results in another wave of wood flooding the market and driving down timber prices. Valid point!

As a result, AFA became the only statewide business organization to endorse Martha Roby, who rode the Pelosi-wave and defeated Bright as the Republicans took back control of the House. Although Congressman Bright consistently supported the business community’s positions, by supporting Roby we were voting for a Republican-controlled House that could push back against Obama’s regulatory juggernaut.

When you dig into the 105-page bill you’ll find that portions of the bill do indeed support reforestation and afforestation on private land, but much of the language focuses on restoring poorly managed federal forests, planting trees in urban areas and growing markets for wood products. These are policies that even the critics can support.

So... when you look at the bill in its entirety, do we support it? Complicated, right?

A more recent example is the Trillion Tree Initiative. In January 2020, President Trump announced that the US would join the World Economic Forum’s One Trillion Tree

Whether we’re talking about federal, state or local policy or politicians, things are seldom as simple as they seem. So how do we navigate the minefield?

ALABAMA FORESTS

1. Work for limited government.

2. Protect private property rights.

3. Promote free markets.

4. Preserve the rule of law.

As valuable as these principles are in guiding our decisions, it’s still not a simple process. Do we support legislation that yields incremental progress or hold out for a total win? Do we endorse a candidate that only partially shares our worldview when the other candidate’s views are antithetical to ours?

For those who live and work in the “real” world, this is what inspires the comparison of the legislative process with making sausage.

However, for those of us who live in the world of policy and politics, this is everyday life. But... that’s what we do and that’s why we’re here.

What I can say with certainty: we will NEVER stray from our principles. In every position we take, every candidate we endorse, and every program we implement, we will work tirelessly to promote healthy forests and maintain a favorable business environment for our industry to grow. It’s just that simple.

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Dean’s Notebook Auburn University | Dr. Janaki Alavalapati

The School of Forestry Announces New Deanship in Honor of Emmett F. Thompson, First Dean of School of Forestry

The Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences recently announced the Emmett F. Thompson Deanship in honor of the founding dean of the Auburn School of Forestry. Shown is Emmett Thompson with his wife, Vi, during the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences presentation of the deanship this spring.

More information about giving to Auburn’s School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences is available at sfws.auburn.edu/giving or by contacting Heather Crozier at vannhea@auburn.edu.

It is my pleasure to share that the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences has announced the establishment of the Emmett F. Thompson Deanship in honor of the founding dean of the Auburn School of Forestry.

A deanship is an endowed fund used at the discretion of the current dean to direct funds toward a school’s major goals without undercutting budgetary priorities.

The Emmett F. Thompson Deanship will benefit the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences by elevating the school’s status, positioning it to become a college, launching new initiatives, continuing a culture of excellence and helping to recruit and retain highly qualified deans in the future.

The deanship was established by Thompson’s children, Chuck, Meri and Juli, and received a leadership gift from the Solon and Martha Dixon Foundation, in addition to gifts from a host of other friends of the school.

Funding for the deanship is currently at 75 percent, with a projected completion by the end of 2021, said school Director of Development Heather Crozier.

ALABAMA FORESTS

Thompson, who retired in 1998, began his Auburn career in 1977 as head of the Department of Forestry, which was then part of the School of Agriculture. In 1984, he became the School of Forestry’s first dean.

“During his 21-year tenure, he was a pioneer,” Crozier said.

Among Thompson’s many accomplishments, he established the School of Forestry as a stand-alone entity, separate from the College of Agriculture. He also led the effort to create the Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center, a one-of-a-kind facility in Andalusia, Alabama, and he provided the foundational work for the creation of the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences’ state-of-the-art facility, which was completed in 2005.

In addition, Thompson established a forestry engineering program, created the Forestry in the Private Sector class and worked with other departments in the university to round out and improve educational opportunities for students. The latter effort came to fruition after his retirement, when Auburn’s wildlife program became part of the school.

Respective of his impactful legacy, Thompson truly deserves to be honored with a deanship in his name.

His achievements as dean of the School of Forestry have had a major impact on developing this school to become the outstanding research and educational institution that it is today.

Thompson continues to be a force in the school. Since his retirement, he has served on our campaign committee, maintained a strong relationship with our many benefactors and industry contacts and makes himself available for any school event that takes place.

Thompson, an Oklahoma native, has been married to his wife, Vi, since 1961. He studied forestry at Oklahoma State University, North Carolina State University and Oregon State University, where he earned his doctorate in forest economics.

Before coming to Auburn, he taught at Virginia Tech and was head of the forestry department at Mississippi State University.

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AFA

PUBLIC POLICY SERIES Forest Economics Seminar

AFA hosted the latest seminar in the continuing Public Policy Series, Forest Economics, at the Grand National Resort in Opelika. The seminar addressed topics that included property taxes, severance taxes, logging costs, forest product markets, potential federal tax law changes and expansion of the Port of Mobile.

The event was standing room only and included over 60 public officials. Senator Randy Price greeted the attendees and welcomed them to his district, followed by a keynote address by Twinkle Cavanaugh, President of the Alabama Public Service Commission. Governor Kay Ivey also provided remarks as the luncheon speaker. The Public Policy Series Fund supports these seminars and we gratefully appreciate the support of Rayonier, Weyerhaeuser, RMS and the Alabama Association of RC&D Councils. Spire Energy, the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority and the AU School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences were seminar sponsors.

Next up for the Public Policy Series is the Landowner Issues Seminar held September 12, 2021 at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, Alabama in conjunction with AFA’s Annual Meeting.

Reserve your room today and get registered as rooms are filling up fast!

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PUBLIC SERVICE SPOTLIGHT

STEVE CLOUSE A BUSINESSMAN’S APPROACH TO LEGISLATING

by Tom Saunders

THE COMMUNITY In the heart of the “Wiregrass” region of southeast Alabama, Ozark is a small town located on U.S. Route 231 between Troy and Dothan, home to 15,000 citizens and the county seat for Dale County. Originally, the town was known as a vibrant trading center for cotton due to its convenient central location for the region. However, in the

early 1900’s the boll weevil began to devastate cotton crops and the town’s agricultural roots had to diversify to include livestock, peanuts and timber.

Agriculture and forestry remained the most important segment of Ozark’s economy until the outbreak of World War II and the establishment of Camp Rucker. In January 1942, the federal government signed a contract for

construction of 1,500 buildings within 120 days for $24.6 million that would house the training for four infantry divisions. Toward the end of the war, German and Italian prisoners were housed at Camp Rucker which was deactivated in March 1946. During the Korean War, Camp Rucker reopened as a training site for the Forty Seventh Infantry Division and then once again closed. Finally, in February 1955, the (continued on p10)

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Public Service Profile Steve Clouse (continued from p9)

Army Aviation Center began operations at the site which became a permanent installation and was renamed Fort Rucker.

Today, Fort Rucker has a huge impact on Ozark and the region with an estimated annual economic impact of $2.2 billion on southeastern Alabama. Payroll exceeded $400 million

“I was always interested in politics.

I remember my first vote for President was for Gerald Ford in 1976. Times were different then…with the Vietnam War finally coming to an end, the country was in turmoil and young people were active and interested in what was going on with their government. I was definitely paying attention and that’s what led me to pursuing a political science emphasis in college.”

Upon graduation, he moved back to Ozark to join his father and worked in the family business that involved several Amoco gas stations and convenience stores. The business also provided wholesale fuel sales to farmers and the logging industry in the area. In 1988, they sold the Amoco Unveiling of Alabama Statehood Stamp ceremony with franchise and formed a Speaker Mac McCutcheon (left). new business dealing in recycled industrial supporting a daytime population of oils. His father remained active in the 19,000, consisting of about 8,000 people business and they sold it in 2015. in uniform, 7,000 civilian and contract In 1988, Steve married Diane Horne, employees and 3,800 military family a native of Louisville, Alabama. They members. Tens of thousands of military have two children, Todd who lives in personnel and their families have come Ozark and Anne Myree of Savannah, from all over the country and over 60 Georgia. Steve and Diane have five nations of the world to train at the base grandchildren. and many of them have returned to enjoy their retirement years. Currently, 15,000 military retirees live in the surrounding area.

CHANGING POLITICAL TIMES IN ALABAMA Ever since reconstruction, Alabama had been controlled by Democrats.

The change to a two-party system began in 1980 with the election of Ronald Reagan as president (Alabama had supported democrat Jimmy Carter in 1976) but didn’t really take hold at the state level until the 1986 election.

At that point, George Wallace’s political career was ending and the Democratic primary to succeed him saw Attorney General Charles Graddick in a runoff with Lieutenant Governor Bill Baxley. Graddick, the more conservative candidate, won by a few thousand votes. However, Baxley sued, claiming that Graddick violated primary regulations by encouraging Republicans to “crossover” and vote as Democrats in the runoff. Graddick maintained that this was legal because Alabama was an open primary state. The Democratcontrolled state Supreme Court told the Democrats to either declare Baxley the winner by default or hold another primary. The party picked Baxley.

Alabamians did not react well and took out their frustrations by voting for the Republican nominee, Guy Hunt.

Hunt won the election by taking 56 percent of the vote and received the most votes ever for a gubernatorial candidate at that time.

THE EARLY YEARS At the conclusion of World War II, James (“Jimmy”) Clouse, a life-long resident of Ozark, returned from service in the United States Navy and joined his father and brother in their family business, Clouse Oil Company. In 1954, he married Ruth Price Clouse and two years later on February 7, 1956, came the birth of their first child, James Steven (“Steve”) Clouse.

Steve graduated from Carroll High School in 1974 and was active in sports while participating in basketball, golf and tennis. He received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Alabama in 1978.

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Representative Steve Clouse and family at his swearing in ceremony.

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Public Service Profile Steve Clouse

Census, voters elected 17 black candidates to the House and three black candidates to the Senate.

After the 1990 Census, voters elected 27 black candidates to the House and 8 black candidates to the Senate. After the 2000 Census, the Legislature adopted a redistricting plan that maintained 27 majority-black House districts and 8 majority-black Senate districts. Because most of the majorityblack districts were substantially underpopulated, the Legislature redrew the districts by shifting more black voters into the majority-black districts to maintain the same relative number of voters in those districts.

Groundbreaking of new gym for Midland City Elementary School.

Hunt would get re-elected POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS to a second term, but on April A beneficiary of the 1994 22, 1993, he was removed from Republican “wave” was a young office due to ethics violations 38-year-old businessman from and was replaced by Democrat Ozark. Dale County had been Lt. Governor Jim Folsom, Jr. A represented by Democrat Nolan little over a year later, the 1994 Williams for over 20 years (at race for Governor saw a spirited that time it was House District Republican primary that included 88, now it’s House District 93). former Governor Fob James Redistricting, however, changed (this was James’ second the district to include parts of run for governor Houston County and that, having been first “I was always coupled with the “wave,” elected first as interested in politics. and good old fashioned I remember my first a Democrat in hard work allowed vote for President was for 1978), state Gerald Ford in 1976. Times Steve Clouse to be senator Ann were different then…with the elected by 65% of the Bedsole and Vietnam War finally coming voters in his first run for to an end, the country was prominent political office. in turmoil and young Montgomery people were active and businessman “At the time that I first interested...”

Winton Blount considered running for III. James would the statehouse, the business lead the primary and community was frustrated at ultimately became the Republican the lack of representation in nominee after defeating Bedsole Montgomery. I had been in in a runoff. business for over 16 years, and I felt it was time to try and do The 1994 Democratic primary something about it.” was even more contentious as the

incumbent Folsom bested Paul Hubbert, the powerful head of the Alabama Education Association.

In a surprise victory, James, while trailing in the polls by as many 10 percentage points the week of the election, beat Folsom on election day by less than 1% of the vote.

As the State complied with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and with requirement of redistricting, black legislators saw increasing success in elections for the Alabama Legislature. In 1970, voters elected to the House of Representatives the first two black legislators since Reconstruction. After the 1980

As majority black districts emerged and became more populated, the remaining districts became more white and as a result, in 1994, Republicans increased their numbers in the House of Representatives from 18 to 31, leaving 27 black Democrat seats and 47 white Democrat seats. It was under these shifting conditions that Clouse first entered the statehouse. As a member of the minority Republican party, his principal focus was to work to make sure “bad” legislation did not pass. Working with a tenuous caucus composed of Republicans and “conservative” Democrats, to some extent, the House was able to temper the actions of the more liberal Senate.

GOVERNING That dynamic changed completely in 2010 when the Republicans gained a majority in both houses of the Legislature. All of a sudden, Clouse and his colleagues were thrust into the role of actually governing as opposed to playing defense.

“The Democrats had been in control of the state for 136 years. Once we gained the majority, we had lots of policy objectives, not the least of which was to enact ethics reform and fiscally responsible management.”

One of their major achievements was passage of the Rolling Reserve Act. This legislation affected education spending and put a “cap” on education appropriations based on an average of the prior 15 years of actual education revenues. Any actual revenue above the “cap” was placed in a rainy day fund to prepare for economic downturns. In the decade prior to this legislation, the Education Fund had been “prorated” six times. After its passage, there has not been any year where prorating appropriations has been necessary.

In 2013, after serving nearly 20 years, Clouse’s seniority and leadership talents gained him the powerful position of Chairman of the Ways & Means Appropriations Committee for the General Fund. Though important, the committee chairmanship was considered a thankless position as revenues earmarked for the General Fund were (continued on p12)

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Public Service Profile Steve Clouse (continued from p11)

essentially stagnant while the funding needs for state agencies continued to rise.

“The General Fund has always been a challenge. We were able to make some changes to the revenue distribution…we reallocated part of the use tax where 53% now goes to the General Fund and were able to develop a mechanism to capture the internet sales taxes with 75% going to the General Fund. This revenue has made things better. We also were able to pass a mini rolling reserve for the General Fund and we hope to expand on that in the coming years.

The economy is always going to have ups and downs, good planning during prosperous times helps to offset the years where things aren’t going as well.”

Though Clouse has been in the legislature for over 27 years, he still feels that there are many needs that still need to be addressed. Mental health needs are a priority of his and the prison system is a “train wreck.”

His longevity can be credited to following advice given to him when first elected. “I was told early on to learn the rules of the chamber, keep

in touch and regularly listen to your constituents and do your homework on the issues. I feel that if I continue to bring the basic principles I developed while operating a business and apply them to governance, then we (the state) will be in good shape.”

As a testament to his leadership, his colleagues have great respect for him.

His counterpart in the Senate, Finance & Taxation General Fund Chairman Greg Albritton has enjoyed working with him. “We both have to rustle votes within our own bodies, but I believe we have worked well together.

We each want what’s best for the state and we try to sit down prior to the session and work collaboratively to get on the same page and hammer out any kinks. I know he brings business experience, which is quite helpful.”

Clouse’s vice chairman of the committee, Representative Kyle South, echoes Albritton, “He has presided over the general fund during some challenging economic times, but he always listens to the needs of his House colleagues and their constituents. Recent surpluses are a direct result of his conservative stewardship of our taxpayer dollars.”

Chris Isaacson, AFA President, has also been impressed with Clouse’s work effort. “It is very refreshing to have a legislative leader that comes to Montgomery with a business point of view. I have known Steve for quite a while and he has always been one to take the long view as to what is best for the state. Very similar to that of a timberland owner… you plant trees today that will not bear results for many years to come.

The policies that Steve has been involved in will benefit the state for many years in the future.”

“I FEEL THAT IF I CONTINUE TO BRING THE BASIC PRINCIPLES I DEVELOPED WHILE OPERATING A BUSINESS AND APPLY THEM TO GOVERNANCE, THEN WE (THE STATE) WILL BE IN GOOD SHAPE.”

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REGIONAL RECEPTIONS AFA is excited to be back on the road with our Regional Reception schedule.

These evenings are a core part of bringing the forestry community together and were missed during 2020. We kicked off our first Regional Reception of 2021 in Brewton at The Hourglass on April 15. Then, we met in Stockton at Matthews Landing Pavilion, for the Delta District Reception on May 13. On July 20, we hosted our third Regional Reception of the year for the Auburn / Opelika area at the Marriott at Grand National.

We would like to thank all of our sponsors for making these events possible.

Brewton

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Mobile

Auburn

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! a m a b a l A n i g n i w o r G y l d u o Pr 4 GENERATIONS OF AMERICAN LUMBER MANUFACTURING

BRISTOL FLORIDA

GRACEVILLE FLORIDA

BROOKHAVEN MISSISSIPPI

R E X - L U M B E R .co m

TROY ALABAMA

THE RAPTOR TOUR HAS TAKEN FLIGHT!

The Alabama Forestry Foundation has partnered with the Southeastern Raptor Center and the Raptor Foundation to give students the opportunity to interact with birds of prey and educate them on healthy timberland management.

The Raptor Tour is just getting started touring schools in the state.

We’ve made five successful tour stops: Fairhope High School Spanish Fort High School Saraland Elementary Satsuma High School Frances Nungester Elementary Thanks to public officials in their districts for hosting us in their schools: Senator Chris Elliott Senator Arthur Orr Representative Terri Collins

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CONSIDERING PRESCRIBED FIRE? We can help.

Our team of professionals can help you make the most of your woods with free information, burning demonstrations and professional advice.

WWW.ALAFORESTRY.ORG (334) 265-8733

“ NORTH ALABAMA Joel Moon Director of Conservation jmoon@alaforestry.org Brad Nail Regional Forester bnail@alaforestry.org

SOUTH ALABAMA Greg Brewer Regional Forester gbrewer@alaforestry.org Tyler Sibley Fish and Wildlife Biologist tsibley@alaforestry.org Whit Carroll Regional Biologist wcarroll@alaforestry.org

Need Prescribed Burn Insurance coverage?

Call (334) 481-2135 for more information.

The use of prescribed fire is essential in maintaining a healthy forest. we use fire on a regular basis, which benefits both wood production and wildlife habitat.”

-Glenn Riley, Henry County, Alabama 2017 National Tree Farmer of the Year

BRIAN LAWRENCE, BL LOGGING, LLC By: Joel Moon

BRIAN LAWRENCE FOUNDED BL LOGGING LLC IN 2011, AND TODAY OPERATES ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED LOGGING COMPANIES IN THE AREA, PRODUCING 80 TO 100 LOADS PER WEEK. HE DID NOT GROW UP LOGGING, BUT SAYS, “IF YOU GREW UP IN MONROE COUNTY, YOU KNOW ABOUT LOGGING. IT’S EVERYWHERE.” Today, Brian still lives in the Excel community where he grew up. In fact, he lives on the same property where he was raised, in the house he and his dad built together 18 years ago.

His mother and father live nearby, and the woods and fields surrounding him are the same ones where he played and worked as a child. Brian’s dad was a parts manager at Scott Paper Company’s shop in Monroeville, so that brought him around loggers.

His dad was a big hunter and had a hunting camp at Barlow Bend on the Alabama River in Clarke County. They stayed in a cabin built on poles that Brian’s grandfather and great uncle built. Brian says, “We had no power or running water, caught rainwater to use and cooked with gas, or on an open fire. My brothers and I grew up stompin’ around all that natural timber, and the beauty of it always attracted me to the outdoors.” He says, “I actually thought the camp was home

when I was young, and our actual home was where we stayed when it wasn’t hunting or fishing season.”

One of his dad’s good friends ran a logging crew for Scott Paper, and from time to time they would get a chance to go to his job and watch them run.

Back then most of Scott’s crews cut down with power saws. Brian says at that age, what impressed him the most were the skidders, “They had the biggest tires and could drag a big pull.” The crews would leave some hardwood tops behind and by the time he was 12, Brian remembers going out and cutting firewood with a power saw. He became good at it and he says he “just loved the equipment.”

His early experiences attracted him to the woods and he told his dad he wanted to work in the woods one day, go to forestry school and learn cruising and the business end.

EARLY YEARS Brian learned a strong work ethic from his mom and dad. During his high school years, he worked three jobs.

Most days after football practice he worked at a gas station in Excel, built chain link fences, and cut down and trimmed trees for the public. He had a utility trailer that had a winch mounted on it. He would saw and trim or cut down trees in yards. At the time, there was an area vocational center program where they would leave school in Excel and go to the Monroe County School for two periods in the morning.

They would study Forestry with Mr. Johnny Andrews. They learned how to cruise timber, studied Dendrology, BMPs, ESA, Prescribed Fire, PPE use, and how to operate a chainsaw among other things. He says the classes were very interesting and he did well. In fact, he quips, “it was one of the few classes I did well on in school.” (continued on p20)

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Logger Profile Pine Ridge Logging, LLC (continued from p19)

years Brian worked a variety of jobs and one day he asked Brian if he had with Conecuh, gaining more knowledge, ever thought of logging. David’s uncle business skills, and responsibility with Terry Chapman owned Conecuh each role. He worked on logging Timber in Beatrice. Terry crews, operated a processor, had told David, “You need “AFTER ran a tub grinder operation, to get out there and ABOUT A YEAR and a chipping crew. recruit people your age.

I KNEW THIS WAS NOT FOR ME, I FELT Conecuh had many veteran People with a good work HEMMED UP. I KNEW equipment operators and ethic.” David relayed I WANTED TO GET Brian learned how to do things his uncle’s request to OUTSIDE, IN THE right.

Brian. He asked him if he WOODS...” knew much about logging One day Terry came by and Brian told him he had the woods and during their operated all kinds of equipment conversation, Brian reminded him of and power saws. He said, “I’ve been their conversation seven years before, cutting down trees since I was a kid.” about Terry putting people in business.

His friend laughed and said, “they Brian said he thought he was ready don’t use chainsaws to cut down much to do it. He was 30 by then and had anymore; they have cutters, skidders settled down a lot. Terry of course and loaders.” Brian asked David if Terry remembered, and told Brian that when wanted to train him on a skidder. David something came up, he let him have the told him that Terry wanted to train him first shot at it. Terry was a man of his on everything, with the idea that Brian word and gave Brian the opportunity would eventually go into business for to own part of a chipping crew. After a himself and contract for Conecuh. At year and a half, the clean chip market the same time another opportunity changed and it didn’t make sense to knocked. Brian had applied at Alabama continue producing them. Terry sold the Power a couple of years before and chipping equipment but offered Brian EARLY CAREER PATH they called offering him a job. They the opportunity to log. were pushing Brian to make a decision.

He says, “After about a year I knew Brian thought hard about it. He this was not for me, I felt hemmed up.

GOING INTO BUSINESS mentioned it to his parents and they I knew I wanted to get outside, in the said he would be crazy not to take the Terry financed an old loader, a skidder woods, I wanted to do my jobs.” While power company job, but once again and a cutter for Brian, and after a few working at the paper mill he made told he should make his own decision. months he was producing 60 loads a some buddies, one of them being David week. When it was time to upgrade Colquett. He and David are good friends Brian decided to go with logging. the loader, Brian wanted to finance it today. Through their conversations, Conecuh hired him, and he did “work himself, so Terry put him in touch with on everything.” Over the next seven David knew Brian was not satisfied equipment companies. One of the equipment company reps was Danny Burford with Thompson Tractor. Danny “I’VE LEARNED WHAT I DO BY WORKING WITH Burford had this to say about their first AND AROUND PEOPLE WHO I CONSIDER TO BE encounter, “When I met him Brian was THE BEST LOGGERS OUT THERE.” running an old Prentice loader and Cat Skidder and explained to me how he was going to do what it took to make it work with the old machines, and how he planned to upgrade and become stronger and more productive. We talked about pitfalls and dedication.

After that meeting I was sure he would be one to watch.” When it came time to replace the rubber tired equipment, he financed that himself too. This was the end of 2013 and Brian has operated that way ever since. After a number of years working around Brian, Danny Burford says this about Brian’s success and work ethic, “Anytime I showed up in his woods, he was there. Running the After high school he was offered a scholarship at the community college.

Mr. Andrews told him if he got this scholarship, he wanted him to go two years and then transfer to Auburn, or somewhere he could finish his degree. Brian took the scholarship and continued working his side businesses while in school, but after a few months he began thinking that he should quit school and work. His parents didn’t push him one way or the other but told him he needed to make the decision himself. He quit school and went to work for his uncle where he spent about a year on the road pouring concrete on jobs in Louisiana. Then Brian heard the paper mill in Brewton was hiring and his uncle encouraged him to apply.

He applied for a job at the mill, took some classes there, made it through the interviews and was hired. He worked there for about a year. Brian was 21 at the time, and says he learned a lot working at the paper mill and it was a good place to work.

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Logger Profile Pine Ridge Logging, LLC

“BL LOGGING IS A CONSISTENT, SOLID PRODUCER FOR US. HE IS CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR WAYS TO IMPROVE IN ALL ASPECTS OF LOGGING.” -CHAD BROUSSARD, WEYERHAEUSER WOODFLOW MANAGER

FAMILY AND FUTURE

cutter, loader, skidder and making sure there was wood for his trucks ready to be loaded. Being present. Being hands on. Planning the day-to-day operations and making sure it flowed smoothly. It is no small feat to earn respect among men, to work as a team. Every person on his crew is important and plays a vital role to get the job done smoothly and efficiently. Brian has found a way to achieve this.”

Brian contracted with Conecuh into 2021, and certainly owes a lot of his success to his years with Conecuh Timber. Brian has high praise for Terry Chapman, who years before saw promise in and took a chance on a “green” young man who was driven by a strong work ethic but knew very little about successfully running a logging business. Brian says, “I’ve learned what I do by working with and around people who I consider to be the best loggers out there.” Brian thanks God for His grace and blessings over the years.

In 2021, Brian was approached by Weyerhaeuser who wanted Brian to contract cut for them. Brian had cut a few tracts for them while contracting with Conecuh and knew and liked the Weyerhaeuser folks. They had some very nice timber in Brian’s operating area, so this was a great opportunity for Brian and he agreed to cut for them.

Chad Broussard, Woodflow Manager with Weyerhaeuser had this to say about Brian’s operation, “BL Logging is a consistent, solid producer for us.

Besides being consistent on load deliveries, BL Logging consistently delivers quality results in safety, ALABAMA FORESTS

merchandising and environmental (BMP) compliance. These results are attributable to the pride he takes in his work and the development of his employees. He is constantly looking for ways to improve in all aspects of logging.”

EQUIPMENT In the woods his equipment mix is a 2021 Tigercat 620H skidder, 2019 Tigercat 720G Cutter, 2014 Caterpillar 525C skidder, 2019 Caterpillar 559D loader, and a 2012 Caterpillar D6 K dozer. Brian’s haul fleet consists of 4 Peterbilts and 1 Kenworth.

He does a lease purchase on 2 of the trucks with the drivers. This has worked out well for everyone. Brian says, “I’ve had help along the way and this is my way to do the same.”

He can call in contract haulers if the need arises. He says that operating the same model trucks makes him more efficient as they all use the same parts and have the same maintenance schedules.

Brian’s wife Paige runs the business office.

Paige does all the paperwork and keeps the office side of the business running efficiently. He jokes that, “I probably would not get paid every week if it weren’t for Paige, and she doesn’t mind jumping in the truck and going to get things or bring something I forgot out to the woods.”

Brian thinks trucking is a challenge to most loggers, though Brian has been able to keep a driver in all his trucks. Brian’s employees are key to his success and have been with him for a long time. That being said, he is the youngest person on his crew. He is 15+ years younger than any of his employees and knows this will be a challenge in years to come. He says, “Logging is a wonderful job, pays great, no college degree required, and with the resources and markets we have in the area, will be a consistent source of employment.”

At 40 years old, it’s premature to talk about succession, but Brian and Paige have built a successful business that will be producing wood for years to come.

Brian does not set out trailers but hot loads everything. He thinks this is safer and fairer for all haulers especially the contract haulers. He uses in-cab cameras in his 3 trucks, his insurance carrier recommended this and he likes the idea of having a video record of anything that might happen on the road. He runs Vulcan scales on his trailers. He feels the scales are a must to stay legal and as companies implement strategies to discourage overweight loads.

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The Inaugural

Bainbridge BLOCK PARTY was held on Friday, June 25.

The event was a partnership with the Alabama Forestry Association, Forest Workforce Training Institute, Alabama Cattlemen's Association, and Alabama Poultry and Egg Association.

Attendees enjoyed an afternoon of Alabama Agriculture including tours of The MOOseum, a reading of “Lucy Meets a Logger” by author Stephanie Fuller, a mini Sweet Grown Alabama farmers market, and a lunch of burger sliders and chicken wings. The Forest Workforce Training Institute mobile classroom was also onsite and guests had the opportunity to try their hand at operating a cutter.

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Member Spotlight Hancock Forest Management Group

Hancock Forest Management Group:

Generating Income and Increasing the Value of Properties for Our Clients.

By: Jacquie Powell

Harpersville, Alabama Office

Goodwill, servant, patriotic and American merchant are all words that come to mind when you hear the name John Hancock. So it’s no surprise that when the insurance / investment company began their business in 1862, they named it in honor of John Hancock to portray those qualities and to give confidence and peace of mind to their clients that their lives will be made better and decisions made easier.

John Hancock Life Insurance company had some investments in agricultural and timber as part of their general account. This is the start that propelled them to invest and purchase additional land properties which they managed for their clients. While utilizing some of their own staff to manage some of their properties, they also worked with other consultants to provide land management activities.

Dan Christensen (CEO) and Bruce McKnight (COO) lead a team to build the Hancock Natural Resource Group (HNRG) and created various divisions.

Pine Seedlings - Where Our Plantions Start

Sensitive Land Weogulfka Creek

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John Hancock Life Insurance Company was the original company.

Then, Hancock Natural Resources was created and became their own separate division while Hancock Timber Resource Group became a subsidiary division of Hancock Natural Resources. Along the way John Hancock Life Insurance Company was purchased by Manulife Financial Corporation.

Hancock Natural Resource Group continues to operate today as part of the Manulife Financial Management group. Hancock Timber Resource Group (HTRG) handled the timber side while HNRG managed the investment side until the year 2000. At that time, HNRG acquired additional properties in Alabama totaling approximately 400,000 acres. They knew then they would manage that tract of land themselves.

Hancock Forest Management was formed in February 2000 but it

was known then as Cahaba Forest Management (having ties to the Cahaba River that ran through the property). One of the interesting things about this early growth was that there was a great group of foresters who were managing the Kimberly Clark properties, had many collective years of experience and, as fate would have it, they were looking for jobs.

Without a moment of hesitation, a handful of them were hired by Cahaba Forest Management which launched the seed of what would soon become Hancock Forest Management.

Alan Bruce became the first Regional Manager over this group. Alan’s territory consisted of everything in Alabama and Mississippi along with the panhandle of Florida. This talented and intuitive team built what Hancock Forest Management is known for today. During the first few years, policies were created and implemented along with the specific accounting software that kept them on track to manage their timberlands.

Becoming SFI certified (in 2002) was a major milestone and that achievement served them well. All eyes were watching them closely as this was their first time to manage the property in a progressive way.

Continuing to prosper and acquire more land, their footprint grew to include additional properties within Alabama. Jerry Knight began working with them in 2002 and he primarily focused his work in south Alabama, while Alan’s region expanded into Georgia. They experienced quick growth and as they envisioned the long-term future of the company, the name was changed from Cahaba Forest Management to Hancock Forest Management.

Hancock Forest Management remained steadfast while working with clients, business development, and investment areas to oversee the day-to-day forest management.

FALL 2021

Member Spotlight Hancock Forest Management Group

HNRG-HFM Original Staff

“Our people are our biggest asset.” -Jerry Knight

HNRG-HFM Stewardship Project with Cahaba River Society The ultimate goal was to generate income and increase the value of properties for our clients. Hancock Forest Management continues to succeed and grow through its people.

Jerry stated, “HNRG manages acres across the globe… North America, Canada, Chili, Brazil, New Zealand and Australia. If you look across the world right now, just in timberland alone, assets under management (on the timber side) are at about $10.6 billion value on about 5.4 million acres.” As massive as that is, there continues to be room for growth.

When Jerry was asked what sets Hancock Timber Management Group apart from its competitors, he responded, “We are one team, one group.

We function that way.

It’s not about what we do individually, it’s about what we do collectively as a team. The quality of the people

we hire is someone who genuinely looks out for our neighbor, will do the right thing when no one is looking and doesn’t have to be asked to help out when needed. They simply see a need, step up, take charge and help in the ways they are able to do so.” Jerry elaborated, “God has given us our natural resources – it’s up to us to strive every day to manage them and to make the resources we have better.” The team members that started this division are still here today. What a testimony to their character as well as to one of the company’s foundational values: “our people are our biggest asset.” This alone speaks volumes to that declaration.

“Good stewardship is good business,” Jerry stated.

“Meaning, good stewardship of the clients’ land, of people, and of the environment.”

One example of how they practice what they preach is through their Stewardship Program. The Cahaba River flows close by a local school (near Birmingham, AL) and had caused some bad erosion and terrain issues. HFM made a stewardship project to work closely with the school and the Cahaba River Society and bought a variety of species of trees.

All who could assist came out, shovel in hand, and dug holes and planted trees along the Cahaba River. “This is the type of team we have and the type of people we employ – those that have a ‘give back’ attitude and jump in to help whenever they can,” Jerry stated.

It’s that internal passion along with the drive to succeed that collectively makes Hancock Natural Resource Group and all its entities as successful as they are today.

Associate Member Spotlight Highlights associate members who are invaluable to AFA. Through their financial support, associate members fund AFA grassroots activities and outreach to members and prospective members. Please support our associate members. They are an integral part of the AFA family.

Gopher Tortiose Protected Species ALABAMA FORESTS

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WEYERHAEUSER COMMITMENT Grow Premium Quality Seedlings

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ALABAMA FORESTS

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Alabama Timber Titan

BOB SHARP

O

Interviewed by Jordan McCurdy

On a hot summer day, I sat down with Bob Sharp at his Clarke County hunting camp to discuss his nearly 50-year career in forestry. A true builder of organizations, Bob’s career is one that is shaped by grit and hard work, but most importantly, integrity and loyalty.

GETTING STARTED

I was born in Sylacauga and spent time in north Alabama but did most of my growing up in Panama City, Florida. I graduated from Bay County High School in 1967 then to Auburn University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Management in 1972.

Those were great years; I met my future wife and made some lifetime friends.

There weren’t many jobs available at that time, but fortunately after working summers at St. Joe Paper Company, they offered me a job in Wewahitchka, Florida. Although I appreciated the job with St. Joe and learned a lot there, the man who introduced me to forestry worked for the old Container Corp of America and that’s where I really wanted to be.

A year later Container Corp called, and I took a job in Ocala, Florida. The move to Ocala was a great one for our family.

Central Florida was yet unspoiled by Disney World, we made good friends, and the job was exactly what I wanted.

My wife Carol grew up in nearby Winter Park, so it was like returning home for her. We still sometimes miss those days and have wonderful memories from Ocala.

I spent eight years with Container, first in Ocala and then at Fernandina Beach. The first seven were fantastic then Mobil Oil bought Container and things were never the same. I had five bosses during that time, and each one taught me a lot. In those days the Area Forester job with Container was unique in that we had total responsibility in our area; land management, procurement, woodyards, land acquisition, everything. I learned to respect the

loggers who cut our timber. That respect carries through to this day.

One person who was really special during those years in Fernandina Beach was Mr. William Cook. Container still used the territorial wood dealer system, and my dealer was Callahan Timber Company owned by William. He was a mentor to me – he taught me to love wood procurement and changed the course of my career forever. He was aggressive, competitive, innovative and was a terrific procurement man. I can still remember him saying, “Bob, buying timber is easy, the difficult thing is earning the landowner’s trust, but once you’ve done that, everything else just falls into place.” That was my first real lesson in building long-term relationships. A lesson that served me well for the rest of my career. Thank you, William.

BIRTH OF MOBILE FOREST PRODUCTS In June of 1981, I made the decision to leave Container and took a job with St. Regis in their Lumber and Plywood Division in Mobile. Looking back, that was probably not the best career decision on my part, but it turned out well in the end. During the three years with St. Regis, I met my future partner John Zukley and a landowner from Hattiesburg, Mississippi named Bennet York. John and I formed Mobile Forest Products in late 1984 with Bennet providing our financing. He first sent us on a mission to find our own capital.

We went to every bank in Mobile with our business plan, but they all turned us

down. We went back to see Bennet and he sent us to Deposit Guarantee Bank in Hattiesburg. He said, “Tell them I said to give you whatever you need.” And they did.

MOBILE FOREST PRODUCTS IN THE BEGINNING From the beginning we knew we needed to divide the company in to separate divisions or we’d never get along. We flipped a coin to see who was going to cover what territory. John got Alabama and I got Mississippi. Leaf River Forest Products (later to be Georgia Pacific) had just opened in New Augusta, Mississippi.

They were building a wood supply organization so there was opportunity there. They had purchased a large block of land from the old Masonite company.

It contained thousands of acres of plantations that needed thinning, and no way to get it done except with shortwood trucks. That meant marking every tree then delivering to a woodyard for reshipment to the mill, an expensive and highly inefficient style of business that was rapidly becoming obsolete.

After we’d been shipping wood to them for a few months and I’d gotten to know some of their foresters, they approached us about developing a mechanized thinning operation. I’d been on a trip out west a year or so earlier and was on p28) fascinated(continued by a thinning operation in (cont. on p32)

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Timber Titan BOB SHARP (cont. from p31)

We had the protection of a guaranteed market and the buyers learned they could depend on us to deliver the wood.

To this day I can honestly say we never sent a load of wood to anyone except to whom it was committed. We trusted our customers and they learned that they could trust us. It was a great way to do business as long as neither party violated the trust.

EXPANDING TRUCKING OPERATIONS A Controlled Burn at Bob’s Clarke County Hunting Camp

Douglas Fir stands where a graduate forester selected and cut all the trees. I proposed a similar system except with me training our feller-buncher operators to make the tree selection. They said, “If you can do that satisfactorily, we’ll keep you busy.” I marked every tree until I had our operators trained. I learned to run a Bobcat feller-buncher so I could know what to reasonably expect from our operators. We were successful and mechanized thinning became the first of many specialties for MFP. It wasn’t long after that, maybe 1986, that I realized that God was truly looking out for us. International Paper divided their procurement and land operations into separate companies. They had more timber than they could possibly use at their own mills, so they were looking for markets and buyers. Our first contact with IP Land was through our mechanized thinning crews. They liked what they saw and soon asked if we’d like to buy some final harvests. We said absolutely! Leaf River wanted the pulpwood and Gulf Lumber Company wanted the logs. Soon we were buying wood from IP all over south Mississippi.

We didn’t initially have a timber-buying line of credit since all the thinnings were “pay as cut.” We’d built a relationship with Merchants Bank in Mobile, so we went to them for help. I had all the timber pre-sold with a price commitment from Gulf and Leaf River, so that was accepted as collateral and off we went.

The concept of preselling the wood on all our timber deeds worked fantastically.

32 ALABAMA FORESTS

While I was overseeing MFP operations in Mississippi, John was working on the operations in Alabama. He had started a woodyard in Citronelle and had gotten a dealership with IP in Mobile. John was having trouble getting his wood hauled, so MFP started buying their own trucks. We both learned to drive when necessary. MFP did the trucking for some of our thinning crews. I remember a driver getting hurt and being off work for a while. We didn’t have a temporary driver, so I drove for a month or so. I’d go to a job, walk the woods while they loaded my truck then drive to the mill, get unloaded, then go on to the next job.

Before cell phones came along, I’d sometimes call John late at night and his wife, Patti, would say “He’s hauling wood. I don’t know when he’ll be back.”

In those days IP in Mobile took wood 24 hours a day. We both did whatever was necessary to get the job done. After a while, John started hauling chips and lumber for Gulf Lumber and wanted to concentrate on growing the trucks so I took over the Alabama wood business.

This was a decision that worked well for both MFP and John and me personally.

ENTERING THE SHORTWOOD BUSINESS By now MFP was beginning to develop the reputation as a company willing to take on difficult tasks and make them work. MFP had no company logging crews at that time. We used contractors who worked exclusively for us. We had some really good loggers who were anxious to expand, so when opportunities came along, that’s who we went to. It was an unofficial partnership and both sides treated it that way.

The next opportunity was for mechanized shortwood. Both IP in Mobile and Leaf River had problems chipping enough wood because all their tree-length wood had to be cut into shortwood before it could be chipped. Both knew I came from the east coast where mechanized shortwood was common. I’m not sure which mill approached us first, but we ended up producing mechanized shortwood for both. One of our logging contractors was Jordan Timber Company owned

by Mr. Willie Jordan, his two sons and son-in-law. I approached Willie with the opportunity. I knew he could do it, but Willie was skeptical. He reluctantly agreed to convert his treelength operation to shortwood but years later told me while playing golf at a Log A Load Event, “I thought you were nuts, but I had enough confidence in you to give it a try. Best decision I ever made.” We cut the same wood, the slasher worked great, and we got paid a premium too.

That wasn’t to be the last time I went to Willie with a new opportunity. We ended up with three or four mechanized shortwood crews hauling to both mills.

CHIPPING OPERATION I don’t remember exactly what year it was, but IP called again with another opportunity. Even with the mechanized shortwood operations, they couldn’t get enough wood chipped and there was no capital to modernize their woodyard. They proposed that we start an in-woods chipping crew to operate exclusively thinning plantations on their land. After visiting chipping operations all over the south to learn about it, I again approached Jordan Timber Company.

Scott Paper Company was in the process of shutting down their company logging jobs and had several Morbark chippers for sale. Willie and I talked it over and he said, “If you believe in it enough to finance the equipment, then I’ll do it.”

We went to Whitney Bank and borrowed $800,000 then loaned it all to Jordan Timber. That was the first of three chippers we financed for Willie as the business grew. It wasn’t that he couldn’t borrow the money himself, he just liked having us on the hook. It was a great partnership. His sons are still chipping today and can produce more chips than Willie or I ever dreamed of.

FALL 2021

Timber Titan BOB SHARP

I had negotiated a special contract with IP to protect our chipping investment.

Every contingency was covered except one: “What if they closed the mill?” Well, that’s exactly what they did. Fortunately, we had developed markets for chips at Georgia Pacific. IP’s folks in Memphis wanted to cut us off as soon as the mill closed, but Bill Largen and Ken Stacey went to bat for us and worked out a deal. They’d provide wood for us to chip in Mississippi for a year to allow us time to expand our markets or develop new ones. That saved us because GP wanted the chips. In the meantime, we’d contracted with Ezell Castleberry to chip several tracts for us in Alabama and haul the chips 160 miles to New Augusta. This got Alabama River’s attention, so we started hauling chips to them too.

hardwood. It took all my willpower to keep a big smile off my face because I knew what was coming. Before the day was over, they’d committed to buy the entire 100,000 tons from Mississippi plus all we could produce from Alabama. I took back the “Oh d____” and said, “Thank you God!”

had a new mill manager, and he didn’t like in-woods chips. I’d just contracted to buy over 100,000 tons of wood from Molpus and now had no market for it.

On the way home from the meeting, Gary Cockerham at ARW called and said, “Richard needs to talk to you, can you come to Mobile Friday?” I thought, “Oh d____, they’re going to fire us too.”

Friday came and Richard made small talk for 30 minutes like he always did, but then started talking about changing their wood usage to more pine and less

We had several large landowner customers with large acreages of cypress tupelo swamps, so keeping enough wood was not a problem. Everything went smoothly until IP closed the mill.

We struggled to find new markets and then Hurricane Ivan came along. Turns out there’s no better equipment setup to harvest hurricane-ravaged logs than what James had, and as always, he was good at it. After a year of salvage logging, James called one day and said he wanted to leave MFP. I was sorely

SHOVEL LOGGING

Time went on and I’d hired James Nichols to cut 600 acres of timber we’d bought in Clarke County. No promises were made for the long term, but he did a great job, so we kept working together one tract at a time. One day he called and said, “We need to talk.” We sat down on a log and he told me about an opportunity to buy shovel logging equipment in Jacksonville, Florida. I didn’t know “I learned much about shovel logging, but All was well until I that timber thought the idea was worth people are the got a call one Friday pursuing. IP was struggling for same everywhere. from GP’s chip buyer We may talk with hardwood, so I went to see them. about a meeting in different accents, After studying the idea, they New Augusta the next but we are the agreed, and James bought the Tuesday. I honestly same inside.” equipment.

He’d learned to shovel thought they wanted log while working for Scott, so he was to compliment us on a up to full production quickly. good job. They fired us! They

disappointed because I really enjoyed the years we worked together. MFP continued to shovel log with another crew for a while, but it was never the same after James left.

THE LAST RIVERBANK LOGGERS The most fun I had in my long career was riverbank logging. David Austin and I had been working together after Buchannan Lumber closed in Mobile.

Between the two of us, we kept Ray Singleton, the best hardwood logger I’ve ever known, busy. IP called again one day looking for new sources of hardwood pulpwood. They wanted to talk about a riverbank logging job. Riverbank logging involves delivering wood by barge directly from the logging job.

It requires a large and very expensive barge-mounted loader and IP had one.

They said, “If you can figure out how to start up a riverbank job, we’ll rent you our loader barge for $1 per year.” David and I talked it over, called Wayne Lewis about selling Linden Lumber the logs and the three of us decided to move forward.

David taught me most of what I know about hardwood and all of what I know about riverbank logging. It was fun for about three years and quite successful.

Unfortunately, IP decided to close their mill in Mobile.

The mill closing by IP in Mobile was a huge blow to MFP. Not only for wood procurement, but for the trucks as well.

They were a pleasure to do business with. Never once in our long relationship did they let us down, and I can honestly say the same for MFP. We never let them down either. (cont. on p34)

Bob and his Chocolate Lab, Stella, sunrise fishing at Dauphin Island.

ALABAMA FORESTS

Bob on his tractor at his hunting camp.

Bob and his wife Carol at an Auburn football game.

FALL 2021 33

Timber Titan BOB SHARP (cont. from 33)

STEPPING AWAY FROM MFP John Zukley and I were partners in MFP for almost 25 years.

They were great years; we had a lot of fun and made a little money, but it was time for me to make a change. As the timber business moved from a business where ‘relationships meant everything’ to a more ‘arm’s length environment that actually discouraged long term relationships’ I began to lose my drive. John wanted to grow aggressively and I’d somewhat lost my nerve. My fault, not his, but we needed to part ways.

I think it turned out best for both of us. We’re good friends to this day and that’s important to me and I think to him as well. Cooper Marine and Timberlands in Mobile had once expressed an interest in buying the procurement side of MFP because they wanted our hardwood production to expand their export chip business. We worked out a deal. I agreed to work for Cooper for three years as part of the buyout agreement and they agreed to hire all my employees, most of whom are still there today. Cooper got a much better deal from hiring my employees than they did from me.

I’d been my own boss for so long that becoming an employee again was difficult for me.

Bob and his family at Christmas.

34 ALABAMA FORESTS

NEW ADVENTURES My final venture before retiring was with Kior in Houston, Texas. Kior was trying to use cutting edge technology to create cost-effective renewable fuels from wood. My job was to identify potential mill sites and put wood supply plans in place. Roy West, a former Leaf River and GP procurement man and a great friend, and I had the opportunity to take the best of the old world and the best of the new, and build a custom wood supply system. This opportunity took me all over the US looking at sites and meeting with local timber operators.

I learned that timber people are the same everywhere. We may talk with different accents, but we are the same inside.

Unfortunately, Kior’s technology could never be brought to production scale, so the business closed. I was 65 years old and never wanted to be someone’s employee again, so I came home and have thoroughly enjoyed being retired.

AFA My involvement with AFA started with the Delta District’s Log-A-Load program in Mobile. After a stint as Delta District Chairman, I went on to serve 14 years on the AFA Board in several different official positions and I enjoyed every minute of it. I was AFA President in 2003 and then Chairman of the Board in 2004. We had several big challenges during that time, not the least of which was finding a replacement for the retiring Executive Director John McMillan. A task not dissimilar to replacing Bear Bryant (well maybe not quite that monumental but difficult).

We also had Amendment One, my first experience with a politician looking us straight in the eye and lying through his teeth.

My pet project, however, was to strengthen the Board of Directors. We needed the movers and shakers of our business to be involved, not only industry but landowners and consultants as well. Our slogan became “Everyone in forestry doesn’t need to belong to every forestry organization, but everyone in forestry needs to belong to the Alabama Forestry Association.”

I’m proud to say that today’s leadership has continued that policy. We hired Chris Isaacson as our new Executive Director, and he’s done a great job growing and expanding the Association.

RETIREMENT Carol and I are now enjoying our retirement years together. We’ve got five wonderful grandchildren ranging from age six to a junior at Auburn. We enjoy traveling, going to Auburn sporting events, and I’ve got a little land, which is every forester’s dream.

I am still involved in the forestry community today.

In 2019, I was appointed by the Governor to be an AFC Commissioner.

I’m delighted to be a part of a governmental organization that is so well run.

CONCLUSION I lived the American Dream, just pure and simple. It seemed like every time there was a pitfall there was an opportunity that followed.

Coaches like to tell their players that there’s no such thing as luck. Maybe so, but there’s a God up there looking after us and I think sometimes He lends a helping hand. There are many people who helped me along the way: key employees, landowners, consultants, company foresters, customers and friends. If I tried to name everyone, I’d miss someone, but you all know who you are.

Thank you!

FALL 2021

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FALL 2021 35

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Alabama Forestry Association Employee Spotlight

CLIFF O’REAR

JORDAN MCCURDY

D i re c t o r of L an down er Pr ograms A l a b a ma Tree Far m Pr ogram

Di rector of Com m un i ca ti o ns

Cliff O’Rear was born and raised in Cullman, Alabama. He is a 1995 graduate of Auburn University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Forest Resource Management with a minor in Business Administration. Cliff and his wife Bethany (20 years) live in Hayden, Alabama with their sons Elijah (18) and Isaac (14).

Jordan McCurdy was born and raised in the small farming community of Jay, Florida. The daughter of a logger, she grew up surrounded by the timber industry. Jordan attended Auburn University and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, with a minor in Business. She now resides in Lowndesboro, Alabama with her husband Frazer.

As Director of Landowner Programs, Cliff’s primary duties revolve around the American Tree Farm System© (ATFS) certification process in Alabama. Our state program currently consists of over 4,000 Tree Farm certified properties covering almost 2.2 million acres. Participation in ATFS provides forest landowners with the tools and knowledge they need to be effective stewards of their forest land.

When asked what he enjoys about his position, Cliff responded, “After spending almost 26 years in private industry, I understand the very real importance and benefit of ATFS certification to both private landowners and the forest industry in our state. ATFS certification is both nationally and internationally recognized as meeting both the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) standards of sustainability.

The key word here is ‘sustainable.’ Proper management of our state’s most valuable renewable resource is ALWAYS sustainable.”

ALABAMA FORESTS

As Director of Communications, Jordan is tasked with telling the stories of our members. She is responsible for the Association’s social media accounts, the Alabama Forests magazine, press releases, and any other contact with the media.

When asked why she enjoys working for the Association she said, “As the daughter of a logger, I grew up listening to stories from the woods. Those stories instilled a passion in me for our industry and I can’t think of a better job than being entrusted with telling stories from all facets of the forest products industry.”

FALL 2021 37

RESTORING HISTORY ON

FLAGG MOUNTAIN

By Cole Sikes Communications & Public Relations Specialist Alabama Forestry Commission

Nestled among the roaming hills and towering timber of Coosa County lies the community of Weogufka. This area is known for its scenic views, winding roads, and peaceful southern charm. To the average passerby, it may seem like just another town to pass through on the way to your next destination. If you happen to stop and gaze across its hilltops, it is likely that you will spot a one-of-akind landmark with a story to tell. Even though Weogufka has a population of approximately 300 people, this historical hamlet has much more to offer than what meets the eye.

Just southwest of the town of Weogufka is Flagg Mountain, a significant physical feature on the Alabama landscape located within Weogufka State Forest. This property consists of 240 acres of upland hardwood, some impressively massive and mature longleaf pines, and an abundant variety of wildlife. It belongs to the state of Alabama and is currently managed by the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC), the state agency tasked with protecting the state’s 23 million acres of timber land. This ownership includes the prized beacon of this forest, the Flagg Mountain fire tower, perched atop Flagg Mountain which is elevated at more than 1,100 feet above sea level. The structure is a living piece of history with walls more than two feet thick made of pure stone and earth gathered from the surrounding forest. This gentle giant was once used as a critical part of protecting not only Weogufka State Forest, but also forests across the entire state.

The tower and the state forest date back to the 1930s when the property was acquired by the state with aspirations of building a new state park. When the Great Depression hit the United States, jobs were nearly impossible to come by. In an effort to inject jobs back into the economy, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt established several federal workforce programs. One of these was known as the Civilian Conservation Corps, or the “CCC.” The organization’s main objective was to construct housing, buildings, monuments, and other necessary structures at the time.

Composed of 216 men from New York and New Jersey, CCC Company #260 was tasked with creating a state park in Weogufka.

Original plans for Weogufka State Park contained picnic areas, a beach beside Weogufka Creek, swimming pools, 11 cabins for housing, a caretaker’s home, and an observation tower where visitors could see for endless miles in a 360-degree view from the fire tower cab. Using local stone and native longleaf pine, CCC workers constructed

38 ALABAMA FORESTS

FALL 2021

the massive lookout tower and five log cabins. However, the project ended in 1935, and construction was never completed.

The Alabama Forestry Commission, approximately one decade after being established as a state agency, took ownership of the new property and utilized it for protecting Alabama’s forests.

For more than 40 years, the tower was used as a lookout point to spot forest fires in the ‘pre-airplane’ era of wildfire detection. On a clear day, Flagg's elevated views allowed forest rangers to see across seven counties. Because of its sheer height, the structure was also used as the sole radio relay for the AFC’s radio communications for all of north Alabama.

After the AFC began utilizing aircraft for wildfire detection, the tower became obsolete and was decommissioned in 1989. The land and tower were leased out to a volunteer organization which began restoration work on the grounds.

In 1998, the tower was listed as number 250 of 1,000 fire tower lookouts on the National Historic Lookout Register because of its aesthetics and historical value, an accolade it shares with only one other lookout location in Alabama.

Today, Flagg Mountain is not just for sightseers, but is also a popular point on hikers’ maps. The 335-mile Pinhoti Trail begins at Flagg Mountain and concludes at Springer Mountain in north Georgia. The Pinhoti is a section of the larger-in-scale Eastern Continental Trail beginning in Key West, Florida, and concluding in Newfoundland.

With such an important footprint on the hiking community, it was recognized that the mountain needed to be protected for future generations of trekkers and other enthusiasts who want to appreciate Flagg’s summit. The AFC and the Alabama Hiking Trail Society (AHTS) formed an agreement in 2003 to maintain the trails so that they stay clean and accessible. There is also an appointed caretaker that serves as the liaison between hikers and other recreational enthusiasts.

Thanks to great partners, exciting things are happening on Flagg Mountain right now. The Conservation Fund, Alabama Trails Foundation, and the Alabama Legislature have been instrumental in raising funding of these vital projects, making the state forest, tower site, and cabins an exciting destination in Coosa County.

The interior of the tower has been closed to the public for many years due to the unsafe condition of the stairs and cab at the top of the tower. Renovation ALABAMA FORESTS

“On a clear day, Flagg’s elevated views allowed forest rangers to see across seven counties.”

of the tower staircase is underway which will once again allow the public to climb to the top, and view Alabama’s Capitol dome on the horizon to the south and Mount Cheaha to the north through the 360-degree glass windows of the restored tower cab.

A one-half mile ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible trail is being constructed, along with a 15-vehicle parking lot at the top of the mountain. The concrete pathway, with numerous switchbacks and a low grade, will make the base of the tower wheelchair accessible. Well-placed benches along the trail will also allow people to sit and view the scenery as they make the hike.

Other additions are in the works at Flagg Mountain as well. These improvements include bringing city water to the top of the mountain, allowing the construction of a new bathhouse adjacent to the cabins and restroom facilities near the tower and new parking lot. Repairs are also being completed on several of the cabins, making them more comfortable for overnight guests.

“The Alabama Forestry Commission considers conservation education and outdoor recreation an important part of its mission,” said Rick Oates, State Forester of Alabama. “As the land managers for Weogufka State Forest, partnerships that help projects such as this trail construction are vital to the future of outdoor recreation and helping the public enjoy Alabama’s forests. The agency appreciates the opportunity to work with conservation and trail groups to make these much-needed improvements at Weogufka and other state forests.”

Additional partners in this project include the Alabama Hiking Trail Society, Friends of Flagg Mountain, University of Alabama Center for Economic Development, Coosa County Commission, and The Nature Conservancy.

Weogufka State Forest is open daily.

Overnight camping and social events at Flagg’s cabins are available, but reservations must be made through the caretaker in advance. Please be sure to TEXT (256) 223-3990 for future Flagg Mountain reservations.

FALL 2021 39

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ALABAMA FORESTS

FALL 2021 41

GREEN HORIZONS

View

From The Mountain

by Lamar Dewberry

Women in Forestry: what does this mean?

Probably when we try to answer this question, we would get all kinds of answers. Some of the first thoughts I have are the great female foresters we have involved in the Alabama Forestry Association, the Tree Farm Program, The Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, our universities, and the Alabama Forestry Commission. These ladies bring so much to the table when we look at forest management and forestry programs in our state.

Often, we focus on men in forestry, but quite often it’s the women who are incredibly supportive of their husbands that make the property what it is, and many times the wives don’t get the recognition they deserve in making management decisions on a piece of family forestland. I know on our hunting property, my daughter took the largest buck we harvested. She’s always working on game plots and buying seed to improve the quality of forage for our wildlife. My wife, Felicia, is always out there helping me. This past spring, she helped me spot-plant longleaf pines on our property. We always laugh about one instance that happened early on in our marriage while working on our property. She has a scar on the front of her leg from cutting pulpwood and helping me load it on a short wood truck. Some of you probably are not old enough to know what that means. I was running the loader and it slipped when loading a stick of pulpwood and it hit the front of her leg. If you can cut pulpwood together, I assure you, your marriage will last!

Women see things in the forest a man might not, it might be a beautiful wildflower that he would overlook or a site that has special meaning to her.

42 ALABAMA FORESTS

It is so important that we encourage and offer opportunities for ladies to get out and enjoy the forest. There are more women voters than men and every year we see more women getting involved in politics. We have a woman governor right now, and we can all say it has been good that she understands forestry. I can’t say it enough: we need to make sure women know about forest management and how we all depend on the forest.

Over the past several years, my wife has done a program every other year for women. The program covers every age group, some forest landowners, and others not. This has been one of the most rewarding programs we have held on our property. My wife gets great feedback from participants in the “Women’s Walk in the Forest.” Some say, “I have convinced my husband…” and others say, “I didn’t know that,” while others just say, “Thank you for sharing your property with us.”

Felicia has put together some great programs: one being a program on information from the congress on forest issues that affect women, another is a program by a female forester that worked for the U.S. Forest Service speaking on family activities in the forest, but most of all, the ladies like getting out in the forest and enjoying what Alabama has provided for us: a great natural resource that is renewable, sustainable, and enjoyable.

If you would like more information about “Women’s Walk in the Forest,” feel free to contact the Alabama Tree Farm State Committee and we’ll get you in touch with someone that can help you start this rewarding program.

Until next time, this is the View from the Mountain.

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GREEN HORIZONS | NEWS & VIEWS FROM ALABAMA TREE FARM COMMITTEE

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GREEN HORIZONS The Alabama Tree Farm Committee is broken up into 10 districts across the state.

In this and upcoming Green Horizons articles, we will highlight each of the districts.

LONGLEAF DISTRICT There are 6 counties in the Longleaf district:

Butler Conecuh Covington Crenshaw Escambia Monroe

The Longleaf District is rich in: TIMBER

WILDLIFE

FARMING

Longleaf District Director Jeremy Lowery has been with the Alabama Forestry Commission for 16 years and has been an active Tree Farm inspector for 14 years. What he values most about Tree Farm is that it awards responsible forest landowners with actual certification as well as recognition.

Longleaf District Inspector April Hall with the Alabama Forestry Commission has been a Tree Farm inspector for 14 years. When asked what she likes most about being a Tree Farm inspector, April responded “What I like most about being a Tree Farm Inspector is the privilege of inspecting beautiful properties and sharing in the deep care that Tree Farmers have for their land.”

Longleaf District Landowner Jess Martin’s favorite quote came from an uncle years ago, “The best investment a man can make is a piece of good land, the second best investment a man can make is a piece of sorry land.” Mr. Martin owns a +/-280 acre Tree Farm just north of Beatrice in Monroe County. Most of this acreage has been in the Martin family since the late 1950’s and Tree Farm certified since 2002. The converted hay barn on the property is used annually for the Martin family Thanksgiving and has accommodated several weddings, reunions and a trapping seminar. The property most recently hosted the Alabama Tree Farm Working Forest Landowner Tour with over 60 in attendance.

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GREEN HORIZONS | NEWS & VIEWS FROM ALABAMA TREE FARM COMMITTEE

TREE FARM Silent & Live AUCTION The Alabama Tree Farm Committee is preparing for the Silent and Live Auctions to be held in conjunction with the AFA Annual Meeting, September 12-14, 2021. The Silent Auction is Tree Farm’s largest fundraiser, and proceeds are used to promote Alabama’s Tree Farm program and serve Tree Farmers throughout the state. We are excited to announce the addition of a live auction this year!

The committee is seeking donations of items or funds for the purchase of bid items. We would love to have Alabama-made items that come from all parts of the state. Please contact local craftsmen in your area. We will advertise his/her business alongside the item, and publish a list of auction items along with the crafter’s contact information for meeting participants.

Donations are tax deductible.

Alabama

Tree Farm Committee Chair Lamar Dewberry 256-276-0078 Vice-Chair Todd Langston 256-608-9056 Program Administrator Cliff O’Rear 334-481-2149 Financial Chair Tim Browning 205-361-5999 Awards and Recognition Chair Nick Granger 334-818-1194 Certification Chair Todd Langston 256-608-9056 Tree Farmers Dianne Saloom 251-867-6464 Felicia Dewberry 256-396-0555 At Large Directors Salem Saloom 251-867-6464 John Boutwell 334-365-9221

VALLEY

MOUNTAIN

VULCAN WARRIOR

PIEDMONT

Examples of items to donate include:

❍ Forestry-Related Items (chainsaws, antique forestry/logging ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍

tools, etc.)

Travel Packages (hunting, fishing, beach, other leisure) Hunting/Fishing Items (rods, reels, tackle, game cameras, etc) Sports Game Tickets Wall Art (paintings, drawings, photos) Hand-Crafted Gift Items (wood, pottery, glass, metal, textile items etc.)

Furniture (wood benches, adirondack chairs, tables, etc.)

Jewelry Yard Art (bird baths, birdhouses, planters, etc.)

Services (spa, landscaping, fine dining)

❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ Plants (gift certificates to nurseries etc.)

Please contact the Alabama Tree Farm Program at treefarm@ alaforestry.org or 205-493-0190 to donate items or funds.

Auction items can be delivered to the AFA office or brought to the Annual Meeting.

All items will be stored in a secure room prior to the auction. If you plan to bring your donated items with you, please contact us with a description and approximate value so that we can document the items and arrange to receive them.

ALABAMA FORESTS

BLACK BELT CAPITAL WIREGRASS DELTA

LONGLEAF

District Directors

Black Belt District J.C. Ethridge 334-327-9759 Capital District Andy Guy 334-321-8267 Delta District Benji Elmore 251-244-0046 Longleaf District Jeremy Lowery 334-674-1082 Mountain District Todd Langston 256-608-9056 Piedmont District Amy Gaddy 256-689-8041 Valley District Johnnie Everitt 256-248-5204 Vulcan District Jason Dockery 256-531-0013 Warrior District Tim Browning 205-361-5999 Wiregrass District Nick Granger 334-818-1194 FALL 2021 45

GREEN HORIZONS

MONROE COUNTY

WORKING FOREST LANDOWNER TOUR

The Alabama Tree Farm System along with multiple partner sponsors worked to put on a working forest landowner tour on Jess Martin’s property in Monroe County this past June. With eight speakers and over 60 in attendance, the event was a great success.

A major focus of the tour centered on the impact that forest management has on water quality, both locally and downstream.

Our host, Jess Martin, discussed his affinity for rural land and the importance of responsible stewardship.

Jim McInnish with Scotch Land Management discussed how supply and demand, along with current and trending economic factors are affecting raw material and finished product markets in the Southeast.

46 ALABAMA FORESTS

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GREEN HORIZONS | NEWS & VIEWS FROM ALABAMA TREE FARM COMMITTEE

Carey Potter with the Alabama Forestry Commission discussed how the proper implementation of Best Management Practices is of benefit to the forest industry, private landowners as well as the environment.

Tommy Purcell with the Fisheries Section of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources addressed the benefits of proper pond management.

Amy Bell with the Monroe County Natural Resource Conservation Service discussed cost share and conservation opportunities available to landowners through their county NRCS offices.

Jeffery Drummond with US Fish and Wildlife Service explained the importance of properly constructed creek crossings to aquatic wildlife, especially in areas where threatened and endangered species may be found.

Brandon Simpson with First South Farm Credit elaborated on timberland as an investment.

ALABAMA FORESTS

April Hall and Cordero Fountain with the Alabama Forestry Commission described the many duties that Commission personnel are responsible for as well as services they provide to forest landowners in Alabama.

FALL 2021 47

GREEN HORIZONS

ALABAMA

Tree Farmers Have you bought or sold part of your Tree Farm?

Has your contact information changed?

Please update your information with us!

If your tree farm information has changed, or if you have questions about the tree farm program, please email us at treefarm@alaforestry.org; call Cliff O’Rear at (334) 481-2149; or return this form to: Alabama Tree Farm Committee, 555 Alabama Street, Montgomery, AL 36104

Tree Farm #

Tree Farm County:

Tree Farm Name

GPS Coordinates if Available: Tree Farm Organization (if LLC, etc.)

Contact Name Contact Address Phone

Cell Phone:

City/State

Email Address

Non-Contiguous Tracts?

¨

Y ¨

N

If yes, how many tracts?

Forested Acres Change?

¨

Y ¨

N

If yes, estimated forested acres:

48 ALABAMA FORESTS

Zip

FALL 2021

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AFF Hosts State FFA Forestry CDE In May 2021, the Alabama Forestry Foundation sponsored the State FFA Forestry Judging Competition at the Mary Olive Thomas Demonstration Forest in Auburn.

At the annual career development event, school forestry judging teams compete in events that require knowledge of the economic and environmental benefits of forestry. The winning school and students advance to the National FFA Forestry competition.

At the state level, students compete in written and field events to test the knowledge and understanding of forestry basic principles.

Numerous volunteers make the annual event possible.

L-R Stephanie Fuller, Ray Clifton, Greg Brewer, Richard Cristan, Joe Roberson, Jerry Schwarzauer, Mark Bass, Mark Bond, Rick Dorrance, Kenny Boyd, Roger Brothers, and Ashley Smith.

In an effort to stimulate interest and promote forestry careers, the Alabama Forestry Foundation sponsors the FFA Forestry competition each year.

Students participate in a field examination that includes timber cruising, timber stand improvement, tree identification, and compass/pacing.

Mark Bond, volunteer coordinator, speaks to students about the competition.

Ray Clifton talks forestry career opportunities with the students.

The 2021 State FFA Forestry competition was held at the Mary Olive Thomas Demonstration Forest in Auburn.

ALABAMA FORESTS

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MS AL

54 ALABAMA FORESTS

LA

FALL 2021

BACK BLUE the

AFA’S “BACK THE BLUE” TOUR HAS HIT THE ROAD WITH SIX DIFFERENT STOPS! The “Back the Blue” tour is a joint effort between AFA and Elected Officials. The goal of the tour is to thank our First Responders for all that they do to keep our communities safe by providing them with a free lunch.

In Bibb, Shelby and Chilton counties, we were joined by Republican District 14 Senator, April Weaver. Senator Weaver was elected to office on July 13.

Senator Greg Albritton joined us in Clarke, Monroe and Escambia counties.

Senator Albritton is seeking reelection for Alabama Senate District 15 in the Republican Primary on May 24, 2022.

Thanks to all the first responders who stopped by and the volunteers who helped make the events so successful!

Be on the lookout for the next stops on our “Back the Blue” tour.

ALABAMA FORESTS

FALL 2021 55

SPECIAL SECTION: 2020 AFA IMPACT REPORT RESULTS

Government & Political Affairs Responsible Staff: Tom Saunders, AFA General Counsel / Director of Governmental Affairs

FOCUS

GOALS

Protect and improve the business, regulatory and legal environment for landowners and forest business owners to ensure profitable and sustainable operations.

Elect and support conservative, pro-business leaders who understand the environmental and economic impact of forestry and the forest products industry to the lives and well-being of Alabama’s citizens.

• Monitor local, state and federal legislation and regulatory actions and engage as needed.

• Monitor court cases at the state and federal level and engage as needed.

• Pursue legislation, regulatory reform and judicial action to maintain a favorable operating environment.

• Recruit electable candidates who have proven records as conservative, pro-business leaders in their respective communities.

• Develop resources to fund campaigns of endorsed candidates.

• Provide in-kind services including campaign management, polling, advertising and get-out-thevote campaigns to elect endorsed candidates.

• Educate elected officials on general governance and forestry-specific policies and legislation.

LEGISLATIVE ACTION Legislation Supported — Supported legislation that precludes a municipality from enacting occupational taxes without approval of the legislature.

Supported appropriations that provided funding for forestry workforce initiatives.

Legislation Opposed —

Opposed efforts to expand the public employee pension system.

Opposed efforts to expand Medicaid financial liability for the state.

R E S U LT S ENDORSED AND SUPPORTED Brad Mendheim for the Alabama Supreme Court / Elected ENDORSED AND SUPPORTED Bill Thompson and Matt Fridy for the Court of Civil Appeals / Elected ENDORSED AND SUPPORTED Mary Windom and Beth Kellom for the Court of Criminal Appeals / Elected ENDORSED AND SUPPORTED Tommy Tuberville in the General Election for the U.S. Senate / Elected ENDORSED AND SUPPORTED Jerry Carl, Barry Moore, Mike Rodgers, Robert Aderholt, Mo Brooks, Gary Palmer in the General Election for the U.S. House of Representatives / Elected ENDORSED AND SUPPORTED Ben Robbins in the Special Election for Alabama House District 33 / Elected ENDORSED AND SUPPORTED Russell Bedsole in the Special Election for Alabama House District 49 / Elected

REGULATORY ACTION Worked with the executive branch to ensure forestry was included as an essential business during COVID restrictions including allowing log trucks on interstates for up to 90,000 lbs.

MUNICIPAL ACTION

56 ALABAMA FORESTS

Successfully opposed a municipal ordinance being considered by the city of Auburn that discriminated against the use of wood for multistory buildings.

SECURED $10 MILLION in CA R ES Ac t funding for timber owners who were impac te d

by COV ID - relate d s tumpage marke t disruptions.

Over the course of the next several issues, this Special Section will provide a brief glimpse into the activities, programs and accomplishments of AFA and our related organizations during 2020.

Supply Chain

Responsible Staff: Joel Moon, ALC Executive Director Ashley Smith, AFA - Director of Education

FOCUS

Support all segments of the wood supply chain and work to remove barriers to the safe and efficient flow of wood from stump to mill.

GOALS

• Monitor and address issues that create regulatory and operational barriers to safe and efficient wood flow.

• Provide training and professional development opportunities for logging professionals.

• Identify and address issues impacting profitability and sustainability of logging operations.

“THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND LACK OF IN-PERSON CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASSES, THE FACT THAT 75% OF ALABAMA’S TRAINED LOGGERS RENEWED THEIR PLM CARD IN 2020 AFFIRMS ALABAMA LOGGERS’ DEDICATION TO SUSTAINABILITY. THEIR COMMITMENT KEPT THE SUPPLY CHAIN ROLLING.” - Brady Adams, Canfor; Alabama SIC Logger Education Committee Chair

R E S U LT S Alabama Loggers Council

Professional Logging Manager (PLM) Program

EDUCATIONAL EVENTS ALC EDUCATIONAL EVENTS

9

ALC District Meetings

127

Attendance

AFA EDUCATIONAL EVENTS

14

612

Attendance

112 7

ALABAMA FORESTS

OTHER EDUCATION EVENTS

5

33

Continuing Forestry New On-Demand Classes Education Events

ALC ANNUAL MEETING

Attendance

AFA ONLINE EDUCATION EVENTS

Sponsors

5

Live Virtual Events

Current Cardholders

1,708

Increase from 2019

Other Educational Events

9.8%

589

Attendance

PLM INITIAL TRAINING

2

NUMBER OF SESSIONS

TOTAL ATTENDANCE

83 FALL 2021 57

Advertisers Index

AFA & AFFILIATED PROGRAMS AFA 2021 Annual Meeting alaforestry.org.............................. 4 AFA Regional Receptions..............51 Alabama Forestry Foundation “My AL Woods” alaforestry.org...18 Alabama Forestry Foundation “My AL Woods” alaforestry.org ..36 Alabama Goods To Woods Week alwoodstogoods.com.................59 Blue Cross/Blue Shield.................24 AGRICULTURAL LENDING Alabama Farm Credit alabamafarmcredit.com............... 6 Alabama AG Credit alabamaagcredit.com.................40 First South Farm Credit firstsouthfarmcredit.com............54 United Bank unitedbank.com.........................13 ASSOCIATE Alabama Living alabamaliving.coop....................28 CONSULTANT - FORESTRY F& W Forestry • fwforestry.net......41

FOREST PRODUCTS MANUFACTURER Cooper T. Smith coopertsmith.com......BACK COVER Jasper Lumber jasperlumber.com......................51 EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER Tidewater Equipment Company tidewaterequip.com...................35

FORESTRY EDUCATION Alabama Forests Forever alaforestry.org ...........................23 Forest Workforce Training Institute / Truck Driver • forestryworks.com/ truckdriverrecruitment...............22 Lucy Meets a Logger.....................50

INSURANCE ForestFund • alaforestry.org .........30 Hunt Lease and Timberland Liability Insurance • alaforestry.org..........29 Sun-Belt Insurance Group sbiuins.com................................41 The Witherington Insurance Group witheringtoninsurance.com.......35

LANDOWNER (Organizational, Individual & Trust) Westervelt Company westervelt.com...........................54 Weyerhaeuser weyerhaeuserseedlings.com.....29

LOGGING COMPANY Mid Star Timber Harvesting, Inc. midstartimber.com....................41 SAWMILL Rex Lumber • rexlumber.com......16

SEEDLING Advantage Forestry Container Pines containerpines.com...................51 ArborGen LLC • arborgen.com.....35 Meeks’ Farms & Nursery meeksfarms-nurserys.com........... 2 (IFCO) International Forest Company www.ifcoseedlings.com.............52 SPECIALTY SERVICE PRT • PRT.com..............................41 TRUCKING COMPANY Crow’s Truck Center Crowstruck.com............................54 UTILITY Southern Loggers Coop southernloggers.com.................51 WOOD SUPPLIER / DEALER Choctaw Land & Timber choctawlandandtimber.com......35

r Target Audi u o Y h enc c a e Re

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334-481-2120 58 ALABAMA FORESTS

FALL 2021