Timber Talk 1/27/2026
- Jenna Reese
- Jan 27
- 10 min read
OFA Update
Register for Annual Meeting Now!
It's time to book your hotel and register for our 2026 Annual Meeting happening on March 11-12, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency, downtown Columbus, Ohio. The event begins on Wednesday with our President’s Reception at Middle West Distillery. Come join us and experience the perfect collaboration between Ohio's Forest and Grain production industries. This is sure to be a fun evening of networking with your peers. The meeting will continue Thursday with a full day of industry sessions and our annual awards luncheon. We hope to see you there!
Buses to Middle West Distillery will leave the Hyatt every 15 minutes starting at 4:30pm.
Register or view the schedule for Annual Meeting HERE
Book your hotel HERE using code G-FRST. Check in at 3:00pm, Check out at 12:00pm.
Submit your nominations for conservation awards HERE
Download the full schedule below.
OFA at Marietta College Timber Symposium
The Center for Appalachian Innovation at Marietta College invites you to join industry, government, academic, and economic development leaders for a one-day symposium focused on advancing Ohio’s Appalachian timber economy. Jenna Reese, Executive Director of the Ohio Forestry Association, will open the event, giving the keynote address.
Appalachian Ohio holds one of the most productive and under-leveraged hardwood forest resources in the eastern United States. Traditional logging and sawmilling have shaped the region for generations, yet rapid changes in markets, policy, and technology signal a new and opportunity: to shift from commodity extraction toward value-added manufacturing, innovation, and regional resilience.
With markets consolidating and new markets emerging, including engineered wood products, pellets, biomass energy, animal bedding, and advanced carbon and bioproduct applications. The next decade will determine whether Ohio captures value locally or exports it elsewhere.
This symposium will bring together the people positioned to shape the future of the region’s forest and wood economy, and to ensure that value creation, job growth, and innovation occur here in Appalachian Ohio.
We hope you will join us. For further questions please contact the Center for Appalachian Innovation at Appalachian.Innovation@marietta.edu
Nominations Due for 2026 Conservation Awards
Do you know someone who deserves recognition for any of the following?
Outstanding Individual in Government Service
Outstanding Individual in Industry
Outstanding Individual in Private Service
Outstanding Logging Activist
Walt Lange Conservation Education Award
Please submit all nominations ASAP.
2026 Membership Renewals
You received a renewal packet in early December by mail including a letter highlighting any major changes for OFA in the last year, an inventory of the benefits you received in 2025, corporate sponsorship opportunities, an agenda and lodging details for the 2026 Annual Meeting, information about how to get involved, and your membership invoice. Please return invoices with payment ASAP to ensure your membership benefits remain uninterrupted. Please feel free to renew your membership online at any time by logging in to your account. Please email kalah@ohioforest.org if you need assistance logging in or making a payment.
Please ensure that we have your current address on file for 2026.
Hocking College Seeking Forestry Site Manager
Hocking College is looking for a talented and motivated forestry professional, to serve in the role of Forestry and Natural Resource Site Manager. This is a great opportunity to invest in future foresters, through educational instruction and field based learning experiences.
This is a full time 12 month position, with an annual salary range of $55-65,000, that is commensurate with education and experience.
Interested candidates can apply online.
For additional information please contact Dave Runkle (Director, Forest Management) at runkled@hocking.edu, or by phone at (740) 753-7196.
Market Update
HardwoodReview Forecasting
Year-end lumber sales “aren’t setting anything on fire,” as one contact put it, but we are surprised at the number of hardwood companies concluding that 2025 was “not too bad,” especially in terms of lumber sales volumes. With KD-green margins compressed, however, and most manufacturing and overhead costs higher, few saw higher profits in 2025, and those that did—or came close to matching 2024—were generally secondary manufacturers or lumber producers that shifted focus to more specialized products and/or value-added services. Many are now expecting a market turnaround to begin in Q2, though opinions are mixed as to whether it will be driven by new demand or additional industry attrition.
The Sep spike in Red Oak exports to China may have been an early indicator that Chinese demand will rebound after Lunar New Year. However, exporters say Chinese buyers still aren’t willing to pay the KD prices necessary to cover green lumber costs, and the rapidly growing flow of hardwood lumber sawn in Vietnam from U.S. logs isn’t going to help. Most are aware of the explosive growth in Walnut log exports to Vietnam, but Red Oak, White Oak, Ash, Cherry and Maple logs also soared to Vietnam in 2025. Expect this to be an even more contentious issue next year.
Legislative Update
The following is brought to us by our national partner, the Forest Resources Association (FRA)
FRA Fly-in: Chief Schultz to Address FRA Members
Chief Tom Schultz will address FRA members during the 2026 Washington, D.C. Fly‑In, held February 24–26, offering timely insight into the Forest Service’s priorities for active forest management, timber program delivery, and wildfire mitigation. His remarks come as the agency advances a major internal reorganization aimed at improving program alignment, modernizing operations, and strengthening field‑level capacity. With many FRA members relying on a predictable and reliable federal timber supply, the Chief’s perspective on how these structural changes will affect timber sale planning, staffing, and decision‑making will be especially valuable. His participation underscores the importance of continued collaboration between the Forest Service and the wood supply chain.
To learn more about the FRA Fly-In and register, Click Here.
Congressman Barry Moore Cosponsors Safe Routes Act
Congressman Barry Moore (R-AL-01) has joined as a cosponsor of the Safe Routes Act S.1063, H.R.2166, the bipartisan legislation that would allow logging trucks hauling raw forest materials to travel short distances on federal interstates under state‑legal weight limits. This targeted fix improves safety by shifting trucks away from rural two‑lane roads, school zones, and town centers, while also reducing fuel use, emissions, and unnecessary miles for haulers and mills. Moore’s support adds momentum to a long‑standing FRA priority and underscores the importance of predictable, efficient transportation networks for the forest products supply chain. FRA encourages its Alabama members to thank Congressman Moore for his leadership and urges all members to voice their support for the Safe Routes Act.
Use FRA’s Action Alert tool to quickly contact your Senators and Representatives and urge them to cosponsor the bill.
Resources:
H-2B Visas
FRA reached out to House and Senate offices this week after being informed that negotiators were attempting to assemble a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill for consideration before the January 30 expiration of the current continuing resolution (CR). FRA emphasized the importance of including the House‑passed Certified Seasonal Employer language in any negotiated package. However, after meeting with Senator Britt's (R-AL) office, it became clear that the path forward for a full‑year FY2026 DHS bill has effectively collapsed. Deep, unresolved disagreements between Democrats and Republicans, particularly on border security, immigration enforcement, and policy riders, have stalled progress to the point that negotiators cannot reach a bipartisan agreement. As a result, both chambers now expect the DHS to be funded through another CR rather than a standalone appropriations bill. That CR is also expected to carry the traditional supplemental H‑2B visa provisions, consistent with past years, but it will not provide an opportunity to advance the Certified Seasonal Employer language at this time.
Appropriations
Yesterday, the full Senate passed a three-bill “minibus” appropriations package that includes the Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The vote was 82-15. The measure now heads to the President’s desk for his signature.
As we mentioned last week, the measure allocates $15 million to the Community Wood Grant program. Earlier versions of the bill in the House were silent on Community Wood, meaning zero dollars for this program. So that is a win for Community Wood, an initiative that provides meaningful grants for sawmill upgrades and facilities that generate biomass heat and power.
In addition, the legislation funds the Wood Innovation Grant program at $30 million and includes FRA’s long-supported directive encouraging EPA, USDA, and DOE to recognize biomass energy as carbon neutral. Also, the bill increases funding slightly for the Forest Inventory and Analysis program.
100 Percent Bonus Depreciation
This week, the Internal Revenue Service issued guidance for taxpayers looking to take advantage of the full expensing/100 percent bonus depreciation benefit reinstated under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law July 4 last year. Recall that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act had phased this benefit down to 40 percent in 2025 and would have eliminated it completely in 2027. OBBBA restored bonus depreciation to 100 percent and made the provision permanent. This guidance applies to property acquired and placed in service after January 19, 2025, and includes transition provisions.
Safety Update
Sedgwick Safety Services
SHA AND PERRP RECORDKEEPING
As we enter 2026, it’s time to prepare your OSHA (for private employers) and PERRP (for public employers) recordkeeping logs, summaries, and online reports. These records should be updated throughout the year as injuries occur. OSHA and PERRP both require employers to review each injury and determine whether it must be recorded within 7 days of notification. Below is a reminder of the key recordkeeping deadlines:
1) OSHA and PERRP Summary forms must be completed and posted by February 1st.
2) The PERRP online reporting is due February 1st.
3) The OSHA online reporting is due March 2nd.
First determine if you are exempt from keeping records.
EXEMPTIONS
OSHA - There are two exemptions from keeping the OSHA 300 Log.
1) Companies with 10 or fewer employees at all times during the calendar year. The only exception to this is if you are specifically requested by OSHA, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) or another agency to keep a log. If you receive a request, do not ignore it.
2) The other exemption is for establishments classified in certain low-hazard industries. You will need your NAICS number and check it against the list of “Partially Exempt Industries” at: https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/presentations/exempttable.
PERRP - There are no exemptions for public employers for keeping and maintaining the PERRP Log. All public employers are required to keep the Log.
RECORDKEEPING LOGS AND SUMMARY FORM
OSHA - If you are required to keep the log, download the Recordkeeping Forms and instructions by clicking on the link: https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/OSHA-RK-Forms-Package.pdf.
PERRP – Download the recordkeeping instructions by clicking on the link: https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/info.bwc.ohio.gov/forms/PERRPrecordkeepingforms.pdf. The logs in Excel format can be downloaded from: https://info.bwc.ohio.gov/for-employers/safety-services/consultations-and-programs/perrp/injury-and-illness-recordkeeping under “Forms and Instructions” on the right side of the page.
When you complete your PERRP or OSHA log, be sure to have the summary form signed and posted in a conspicuous place for employees to see. Summaries must be posted from February 1st through April 30th.
Remember only post the OSHA 300A Summary OR THE PERRP 300AP Summary and not the injury LOG.
ONLINE SUBMISSION
The final step in the process is to determine if you must file online.
OSHA - To determine if your organization is required to do so, enter the following information for your facility at the following link https://www.osha.gov/itareportapp:
1) “State” in which your facility is located,
2) “Peak Employment from the previous year” – be sure include temporary and seasonal workers,
3) “Is the establishment a government facility” and
4) Your “NAICS Code”.
Once the information is entered, click the “Submit” button and it will identify what, if any, information your facility needs to submit online. There will be one of four replies:
1) You are exempt from completing the OSHA Log and not required to submit online.
2) You will not be required to submit anything online.
3) You will be required to submit information from your OSHA 300A form.
4) You will be required to submit information from your OSHA 300, 300A and 301 Forms.
If your establishment is required to submit information online, new users must first create a secure account through OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application at https://www.osha.gov/injuryreporting/ita. After setting up your account, you can submit your OSHA Log, OSHA 300A Summary or OSHA 301 Injury Information. For those only required to submit the OSHA 300A Summary, the process is straightforward—just ensure your NAICS code, average number of employees and total work hours are accurately entered on the OSHA 300A Summary report.
If you are required to submit your OSHA 300 and OSHA 301 information you have two options. You can either choose to input each recordable injury individually or perform a batch upload. The batch upload can save time for establishments with numerous recordable injuries.
PERRP –All public employers are required to submit to the BWC except those with five or fewer employees and have had no recordable injuries in the calendar year. PERRP 300AP Summary form information is submitted through the Ohio BWC link found here: https://info.bwc.ohio.gov/forms-and-publications/summary-of-work-related-injuries-and-illnesses-300-ap.
One final note, even if you have not completed your logs or online reporting in past years, it is still a good idea to get these completed as soon as possible. Both OSHA and PERRP recommend creating your logs and submitting your data, if possible, even if you are past the due date – remember better late than never!
If you have any questions regarding your PERRP or OSHA Log or online submission, please contact Andy Sawan, Risk Services Specialist at Sedgwick at andrew.sawan@sedgwick.com or 330-819-4728.
Additional Links
Application for Export Interns
The Ohio Export Internship Program helps small and medium-sized businesses who want to improve their export initiatives. Ideal applicants are seeking a trained intern for a 12 week summer opportunity. Ohio Department of Development will reimburse 50% of the interns wages. Applications are a request for a meeting about the program with Development and the local export advisor, not a final commitment to hosting an intern.
Sedgwick Safety Article
NEOFA Newsletter
ECOFA Newsletter
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 |
3/11/2026 » 3/12/2026 Location: Columbus, Ohio |
OFA Proudly Supports RAHC
Join the RAHC Board TODAY, January 27 at 2pm ET for an inspiring and informative webinar celebrating the incredible promotional efforts within the hardwood industry — efforts that you are already a part of! This webinar will feature reports from representatives of the Ohio Forestry Association (OFA).
From success stories to fresh ideas, this webinar highlights the impact we make when we come together with ONE VOICE. Tune in to connect, learn, and be inspired as we share stories of collaboration and creativity that are driving hardwood promotion forward. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see how your contributions are making a difference! Register here:
Comments