June 2017
Over 50 attend third annual Tree Farmer conference AFA
Tree Farmers and landowners gathered in Morrilton for a day of networking, learning and sightseeing on June 2.
After lunch the group toured the Jones Family Tree Farm by hayride. Attendees learned about the process of selecting trees for harvest, site prep and planning, hardwood management and gas pipeline considerations.
Jennifer Johnson, administrator of the Arkansas Tree Farm Program, kicked off the conference by providing attendees with an update on the Arkansas Tree Farm Program and on the recently implemented fee structure. George Rheinhardt, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Forester, provided landowners with an overview of various conservation programs that are available to Arkansas landowners. As the day progressed, the attendees had the opportunity to hear from the 2016 Tree Farmer of the Year, the Smith family, as well as a landowner panel that discussed best management practices. Max Braswell, AFA executive vice president, provided the group with a legislative review of the 2017 regular session.
Landowners and Tree Farmers enjoyed the day in Morrilton touring the Jones Family Tree Farm as well as a morning session that included topics ranging from estate planning to best management practices.
South Central Arkansas holds Log A Load for Kids events AFAEF
South Central Arkansas Log A Load for Kids held two fundraisers, including a golf tournament and banquet, for Arkansas Children’s Hospital. The June 8 golf tournament, at Glenwood Country Club, had a record turnout with 33 teams in the four person scramble. The banquet took place on June 10 at Feaster Park in Arkadelphia and had over 300 in attendance. An auction took place during the banquet where attendees had the chance to bid on various items including loads of wood, a swingset, a zero turn mower, a trailer, desserts and many other items. All proceeds from Log A Load for Kids events go toward our current funding initiative, the cardiothoracic surgery unit, with our local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, Arkansas Children’s.
Kingwood Forestry’s team enjoyed a day on the golf course raising money for Arkansas Children’s. Pictured from L to R: Jimmy Don Thomas, Phil Wright, Drew Griffin and Patrick Grissom
AFA 72nd annual meeting agenda sure to please 72nd Annual Meeting | October 3-5, 2017
AGENDA Tuesday, October 3
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Recreational Activities (golf, skeet and trap) Noon - 6 p.m. Registration Noon - 6 p.m. Exhibitor Set-up 1 - 4 p.m. Forest Management Workshop Forest Landowner Panel Jim Woodruff, Charles Purtle and John L. McClellan Seedling Production Chase Weatherly, Fred C. Gragg SuperTree Nursery - ArborGen Forestry Ethics Caroll Guffey - Arkansas Forest Resources Center 5 p.m. AFA Board Meeting 6 p.m. Opening Reception 7:30 p.m. Dinner on Your Own
Wednesday, October 4 7 a.m. Exhibitor Set-up 7 a.m. UAM Alumni Breakfast 7:30 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast 8:30 a.m. Forestry Hot Topics Staff Member, Sen. Tom Cotton’s office 9:15 a.m. County Roads Panel Tim Kibe - Green Bay Packaging Scott Simon - The Nature Conservancy County Judge - TBD 10:45 a.m. Break 11:15 a.m. Timber Innovations Peter MacKeith - Dean, Fay Jones School of Architecture Noon Luncheon 1 p.m. Timber Sustainability Christy Slay - The Sustainability Consortium 1:45 p.m. Unique Timber Markets Garret Nowell - Independent Stave Company 2:30 p.m. Break 3 p.m. Drones in Forestry - A Consultant’s Perspective Stephen Logan - F & W Forestry Services 3:45 p.m. Wildlife Issues facing Arkansas Forests Brad Carner - Arkansas Game and Fish Commission 6:30 p.m. Deltic Timber Fish Fry at JA Riggs Tractor Company
Thursday, October 5 8 a.m. 11 a.m.
LITTLE ROCK
AFA
HOTEL Holiday Inn - Conference Center 3201 Bankhead Drive Little Rock, AR Rate: Group: Deadline: Phone:
$94 - single/double Arkansas Forestry Association Annual Meeting September 4 1-501-490-1000
SPONSOR AND EXHIBITORS
Would you or your company like to sponsor or exhibit at the largest gathering of forestry professionals in the state?
Sponsorships range from $250 to $5,000. Exhibitor fees: $450 for AFA Members and $550 for non-members To register as a sponsor or exhibitor go to:
http://www.arkforests.org/event/2017annualmeeting
Awards Breakfast Door Prizes, Silent Auction Results, Adjourn
Register by Sept. 4 and save $50: http://www.arkforests.org/event/2017annualmeeting
Call the AFA office with questions at 501-374-2441
Follow us. @arkforests
Teachers take part in AFAEF workshop series AFA
Teachers from all across the state took part in two sessions of the Teacher Conservation Tour(TCT) Workshop Series this June. The first session was held in Texarkana on June 8 and 9. This two-day workshop focused on forests grown for the pulp and paper industry and included site visits to Weyerhaeuser forestlands, Weyerhaeuser’s seedling nursery, and a tour of the Domtar Paper Mill. Teachers gathered in northwest Arkansas on June 22 and 23 to learn more about urban forestry in the TCT Session 2. Participants learned the benefits of urban forests, the tools of the trade used by certified arborists, low impact development, Northwest Arkansas Land Trust, and the science of dendrochronology. Session three of the TCT Workshop Series will take place November 2 and 3 in Russellville and will have a
“Forest to Faucet” focus. This 2-day workshop will focus on healthy forests and healthy water and include fish sampling, water quality monitoring, and forest health; along with site visits to the Ozark National Forest, Green Bay Packaging forestlands and a tour of the Russellville water treatment facility. This session will qualify for 12 hours of ADEapproved Professional Development. If interested in learning more about the Teacher Conservation Tour Workshop Series, contact Rob Beadel, rbeadel@arkforests.org. Jeremy Williams, certified arborist from Tree Climbers LLC, provided TCT participants with a live demonstration of proper pruning techniques while climbing a tree.
AFA’s Emerging Leaders toured Highland Pellets in Pine Bluff on June 20. The group learned about the pellet making process and how others from around the world are utilizing this form of sustainable energy with Arkansas’ wood products. Highland Pellets General Manager, Jody Doak conducted the tour.
AFA Calendar of Events July 6 Executive Committee AFA Office | 10 a.m.
August 5 Log A Load for Kids Drew County Dinner + Auction | Monticello
October 3-5 AFA 72nd Annual Meeting Holiday Inn Conference Center | Little Rock
July 17 Last day to purchase Travs tickets for AFA Night
August 16 Timber Tax and Estate Planning Landowner Workshop | Conway
October 14 Log A Load for Kids Central Arkansas Dinner + Auction | Sheridan
August 3 Emerging Leaders Program UAM School of Forestry and Natural Resources | Monticello
September 9 Log A Load for Kids River Valley Dinner + Auction | Russellville
October 23-27 National Forest Products Week
August 4 AFA Night with the Travs Dickey-Stephens Park | North Little Rock
September 23 Log A Load for Kids Bradley County Dinner + Auction | Warren
November 2-3 Teacher Conservation Workshop Series Session 3 | Russellville
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