May 2017
Board of Directors meet for annual spring meeting AFA
The 2017 Spring Board Meeting was held in Heber Springs, AR at the Red Apple Inn. Board members and guests enjoyed a fish hatchery tour, an Aromatique tour and a night of entertainment provided by the Raptor Rehab of Central Arkansas. The Board Meeting kicked off at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, May 5. The Board had the opportunity to hear a legislative overview from State Rep. Ken Bragg, a report from the Arkansas Forestry Commission by State Forester, Joe Fox, a Logger Training and Education Report from the Arkansas Timber Producers Association’s(ATPA) George Lease, a Forest Industry Economic Overlook provided by Dr. Matt Pelkki, UAM School of Forestry and Natural Resources and a report from the U.S. Forest Service. George Lease, ATPA, informed the Board of a new law concerning CDL holders. Drivers in Arkansas who have a CDL will be required to complete a training, designed to help the fight against human trafficking. To take part in the training, please go to http://www.truckersagainsttrafficking.org.
Board members and guests were entertained by the Raptor Rehab of Central Arkansas on Thursday, May 4 at the Red Apple Inn. To find out more about Raptor Rehab, visit their website at http://www.rrca-raptors.org/.
Have questions about timber tax and estate planning? AFAEF
The Arkansas Forestry Association Education Foundation is hosting an Estate Planning Workshop on August 16 at 9 a.m. at the Dudeck Law Firm in Conway.
preserved for themselves during their lifetimes and be passed on to the ones they love - no matter what circumstances they may encounter.
In this workshop, Frank Dudeck, Elder Law Attorney and Certified Public Accountant, will be speaking on how to protect and preserve assets - namely Land and Farms - from the devastatingly high costs of LongTerm Care. Dudeck will discuss how with the correct legal planning techniques one can ensure that their assets can be
Dudeck, will also discuss legal techniques to help people avoid probate and guardianships to facilitate a smooth and easy transfer of a person’s estate to their family and heirs while avoiding family conflict. Attendees will learn about the use of corporations, LLC’s, Trusts, Wills, & Powers of Attorney, to accomplish their goals.
Space is limited, so sign up today at https:// tinyurl.com/nxc8pde. If you have questions, please contact Rob Beadel at rbeadel@arkforests.org.
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AFAEF seeks educator of the year nominations AFAEF
The Arkansas Forestry Association Education Foundation (AFAEF) is seeking nominations for this year’s 2017 Outstanding Forestry Educator Award. The AFAEF Forestry Educator Award is an annual award recognizing excellence in forestry education. Recipients can be formal or non-formal educators from public or private schools, colleges or universities, state or federal agencies, non-profit organizations, or from the forest industry sector who provides
forestry education in the state of Arkansas.
here: http://tinyurl.com/mu9bqwt Nomination deadline is June, 30, 2017.
Objective: To recognize outstanding accomplishments in forestry education, aimed at any audience, which have increased the understanding and appreciation of forest resources, forest management and the full spectrum of forest values and benefits.
AFAEF’s mission is to inform individuals, businesses, educators, school children and others of the benefits of quality management of forest lands and the importance of the forestry community to the people of Arkansas.
Nomination forms may be found
Contact Rob Beadel at rbeadel@ arkforests.org with questions.
Logger of the year applications now available AFA
Each year, the Arkansas Forestry Association recognizes an outstanding logger through its “Logger of the Year” award. We are asking AFA members to nominate an individual who exemplifies professionalism in every facet of their operations. If you know of someone who meets the criteria, please complete the application no later than Friday, June 23, 2017. Thank you for your assistance. Members can find the nomination form here: http://www.arkforests. org/?page=annualmeeting Nomination forms may be sent to Max Braswell at mbraswell@arkforests.org or 1213 W. 4th St., Little Rock, AR 72201.
Nineteen of AFA’s Emerging Leaders toured Green Bay Packaging’s Arkansas Kraft Division in Morrilton on May 11. The group learned about the paper making process, including how recycled fibers are combined with virgin fibers to create corrugated containers.
AFA Calendar of Events June 12 Tree Farm Inspector and Database Training Arkansas 4-H Center | Ferndale
August 3 Emerging Leaders Program UAM School of Forestry and Natural Resources | Monticello
June 20 Emerging Leaders Program Highland Pellets | Pine Bluff
August 4 AFA Night with the Travs Dickey-Stephens Park | North Little Rock
June 8-9 Teacher Conservation Tour | Session 1 Texarkana
June 22-23 Teacher Conservation Tour | Session 2 Springdale
August 5 Log A Load for Kids Drew County Dinner + Auction | Monticello
June 10 Log A Load For Kids South Central Dinner and Auction | Arkadelphia
July 6 Executive Committee AFA Office | 10 a.m.
August 16 Timber Tax and Estate Planning Landowner Workshop | Conway
June 2 3rd Annual Tree Farmer Conference Morrilton June 8 Log A Load for Kids South Central Golf Tournament | Glenwood
AR Tree Farm Program moves forward with fee structure implementation AFA
AFA urges current Tree Farmers to strongly consider staying in the program. The fee structure, which will help cover the cost of audits that are necessary for the program to remain certified, is extremely reasonable compared to other certification programs. The benefits of being part of a third-party certified program are substantial. On a regular basis, AFA is hearing from forest products manufacturers who require that the fiber coming into their
Now is the time to be part of Tree Farm. The Tree Farm program of the future will provide a wealth of new opportunities for success. The Tree Farm Committee is developing new resources for better communication, education and training. They are working hard to show the value of being part of a network of likeminded land managers – good stewards with the ability to demonstrate to those outside our community that we are doing the rights things on the land, and who have a credible voice on public policy issues that impact
Save the date. 72nd Annual Meeting | October 3-5, 2017 LITTLE ROCK
Interested in being a sponsor? Call the AFA office at 501-374-2441
how we implement sustainable forest management. To find out how you can become a part of the AR Tree Farm program, contact Jennifer Johnson at jjohnson@ arkforests.org.
LITTLE ROCK
Current Tree Farmers will receive invoices in late June to continue being a part of the AR Tree Farm Program. Tree Farmers will be invoiced $75 for their first Tree Farm and $20 for each additional Tree Farm, with a maximum cost of $5,000. All Tree Farmers who have not paid the membership fee by the end of 2017 will be decertified.
mill be certified. And, we’re hearing the same from landowners with questions about how they can become certified so that they can participate in the marketplace. In addition, retailers who stock their shelves with our products are listening to their customers who are demanding sustainably-sourced products.
72nd Annual Meeting | October 3-5, 2017
After several years of brainstorming, meetings, strategies, plan adjustments, and concern about how changes to the AR Tree Farm Program will impact its members, one of the most important times in the history of the Program is just around the corner. Tree Farmers will soon receive an invoice from Jennifer Johnson, AR Tree Farm Program Administrator, that will make Tree Farm a fee-based program in Arkansas.