MISSISSIPPI

Mississippi Forestry Association

MFA PARTNERSHIP WITH FORESTRY MUTUAL HELPS US REACH THE ASSOCIATIONS GOALS

Lauren Hawkins, Communications Coordinator, Mississippi Forestry Association

Active partners and members are what make associations thrive; thankfully for MFA, FMIC is one of those partners.

This summer has seen several collaborative efforts between MFA and FMIC. On June 24, MFA, FMIC, and Vestige hosted a Professional Logging Manager Safety Program in Jackson, Mississippi. Representatives from Vestige and FMIC discussed the need for upgrading log truck safety through technology such as cameras. An analysis of log truck accidents in Mississippi over a five-year period

showed that front and side mounted cameras would have captured evidence in over 50 percent of all accidents. This evidence is crucial for liability protection and improving safety. The ability to properly assign fault in log truck accidents, reduce the number of accidents, and improve driver performance will help with the stabilization of insurance premiums and a healthier forest industry.

Another way FMIC has partnered with MFA to promote safety and best practices is by having a representative serve on MFA’s Timber Harvesting Committee. This committee recently conducted site visits to three Logger of the Year nominees and selected a winner for Mississippi’s 2022 Logger of the Year award. By searching for and recognizing these loggers who are committed to safety and excellence in their profession, the committee encourages other loggers to follow suit.

In yet another partnership opportunity, FMIC is again serving as the title sponsor for MFA’s 2022 Annual Meeting. This year marks the 85th Annual Meeting for MFA, and generous sponsors such as FMIC makes the event a huge success year after year. For anyone who may be interested in attending, the Annual Meeting will be held October 26-28 at the Sheraton in Flowood, Mississippi.

More information and online registration are available at www.mfaannualmeeting.com.

MFA is committed to member safety and moving the forest industry forward. Partnering with FMIC has proved to be a significant step in reaching the association’s goals, and MFA looks forward to many more partnership opportunities in the years to come.

MFA'S TIMBER HARVESTING COMMITTEE, WHICH INCLUDES FMIC STAFF MEMBER JACK WILLIAMS, CONDUCTS A SITE VISIT TO A NOMINEE FOR MFA'S 2022 LOGGER OF THE YEAR AWARD.