Timber Talk 2/24/2026
- Jenna Reese
- 5 hours ago
- 13 min read
OFA Update
Annual Meeting Room Block Extended
The Hyatt Regency, downtown Columbus, has graciously offered to extend our room block for Annual Meeting, so here is your last call to get your room booked. Annual Meeting begins on Wednesday, March 11th, 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 on Thursday, March 12th, 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.
Download the full schedule below.
OFA Foundation Workforce Development
E.B. Miller Schloarship Applications Open
The Ohio Forestry Association Foundation is now accepting applications for their annual EB Miller Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is offered to Ohio high school graduates pursuing an education at an approved university, college, junior college, or technical university offering a forest resource curriculum.
The application deadline for students is April 15, 2026. Selection of grant recipients will be made by the Scholarship Committee of the Ohio Forestry Association Foundation and winners will be announced in June. Follow the link to forward the application to students pursuing an education in a forestry-related area of study.
Camp Canopy Registration Opens
Registration is now live for the OFA Foundation's annual summer camp for high school students. This year, Camp Canopy will happen from June 7-12th at the beautiful FFA Camp Muskingum in Carrollton, Ohio. Students completing 8th-12th grade this year can register for this week long experience that focuses on everything from forest products and tree identification to wildlife management and geology. Each year staff and committee members comprised of forestry experts from ODNR and OFA, as well as previous campers who have now started careers in forestry come up with a fun curriculum, field trips, and fun activities to make this a week to remember for all campers who attend. Register campers before May 4th for the early bird price and inquire with OFA at info@ohioforest.org to get recommendations for any campers who need a sponsorship.
Save the Date for the 2026 Legislative Reception
This year's legislative reception has been set for May 12, 2026. Mark your calendar's and get excited about this huge opportunity for networking and industry advocacy with other OFA members, lawmakers, and legislative experts. The reception will take place in the beautiful museum gallery at the Ohio State House. We can't wait to see you there for an impactful night to remember.
Market Update
HardwoodReview Forecasting
While second-half optimism remains, and some contacts say 2026 markets have already improved, our two-month price forecasts are rather flat, reflecting the widespread market uncertainty that persists and the relative price stability that even some of the more volatile items achieved at year-end. Expectations of lower interest rates and stronger U.S. housing activity are growing, but consumer confidence is at a three-year low. Lower interest rates won’t spur a major housing revival without significant improvements in confidence, which will be hard to come by during this period of sharp ideological and political differences, and on the eve of a mid-term election that will deepen those divides. Securing and retaining good workers has been a long-term struggle for the hardwood industry, even with industry production falling dramatically. It is to the point that nearly every planned capital improvement hardwood companies have shared with us for 2026 has an end goal of reducing labor requirements.
Distribution yards and millwork/component manufacturers generally had a better 2025—and have somewhat better outlooks—than sawmills and concentration yards. And U.S. component manufacturers managed that even with a 7% reduction
in domestic cabinet production.
Legislative Update
The following is brought to us by our national partner, the Forest Resources Association (FRA)
Farm Bill
On February 13, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA-15) released Farm Bill reauthorizing language titled the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026. A committee markup of the measure is scheduled for February 23.
The draft notably includes the FRA-supported and negotiated Jobs in the Woods Act (S.1336, H.R.4575) language. Similar to the bill reported from committee last Congress, the measure adds “forestry and forest products” to the sectors eligible to participate in the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy grant program. RISE, as it is known, is a workforce development program focused on rural areas and provides grants of up to $2 million to stand up job training programs. Also included in the measure is language codifying the concept of biomass carbon neutrality. Specifically, it would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in any of its policymaking related to biomass, to assign biomass energy or facilities that generate it a greenhouse gas emission rate and carbon intensity of no greater than zero. Unfortunately, this language applies only to USDA policy, not to EPA, due to jurisdictional issues. However, we will work with our value chain partners to modify this language going forward.
There are a number of other provisions in the proposal for which FRA has been advocating. In the Forestry Title, the measure reauthorizes, renames, and enhances the Community Wood Facilities Grant program, which funds wood products manufacturing upgrades and bumps up the monetary level that could be awarded to individual facilities. This program also promotes biomass heat and power projects nationwide. The measure also reauthorizes and modernizes the Wood Innovation Grant (WIG) program by reducing the non-federal match requirement, among other changes. WIG has been effective at helping stand up mass timber/cross-laminated timber projects across the country.
In the Energy Title, the bill reauthorizes the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels, which offers direct payments to advanced biofuel producers—wood pellets qualify as an advanced biofuel. The bill also increases the loan amount level to $50 million under the Rural Energy for America Program and includes a number of other provisions that incentivize the use of sawmill residuals for energy.
The committee will report the bill next week, but after that, it faces an uncertain future. Republicans hold a razor-thin majority in the House, and, thus far, the Farm Bill rewriting process has not been a bipartisan exercise. Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN-02) issued a statement Friday, lambasting the measure as “failing to meet the moment” for farmers in that it does not address tariffs or include provisions to build markets for row crops, such as permitting year-round sales of E 15 gasoline. Moreover, the Senate Agriculture Committee has not produced a Farm Bill reauthorization proposal, and indications are that one is not forthcoming anytime soon. FRA will keep you regularly apprised of progress on this process.
Independent Contractor Rule
This week, the Office of Management and Budget completed its review of the Department of Labor’s proposed Independent Contractor Rule, clearing the way for the agency to publish the proposal in the Federal Register. Once published, the public comment period will formally open, which we expect to occur in the coming weeks.
This rulemaking is significant because it represents the Trump Administration’s effort to replace the Biden Administration’s 2024 final rule, which relied on a broad, multi‑factor “totality of the circumstances” test that many industries viewed as unpredictable and overly expansive. The Administration has already halted enforcement of the 2024 rule and signaled its intent to return to a more streamlined, business‑friendly approach.
Although the text of the proposal is not yet public, most observers expect the Department to move back toward the 2021 Trump‑era framework, which placed greater emphasis on two core factors:
a worker’s opportunity for profit or loss, and
the degree of control exercised by the hiring entity
This approach was widely considered clearer and more workable for sectors that rely heavily on contract labor, including trucking, logging, and specialized forest operations.
Once the proposed rule is released, FRA will review the details and share a full analysis with members, including implications for contractor relationships across the wood supply chain.
Wood Innovation Program Grants
The U.S. Forest Service announced up to $95 million in competitive funding through its Wood Innovations, Community Wood, and Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance grant programs to strengthen the forest products economy and support forest‑sector jobs. The funding will support projects that advance innovative wood products, expand the use of wood in commercial and residential construction, grow wood-energy systems, and modernize or expand wood‑products manufacturing capacity. The agency emphasized that these investments are central to expanding domestic timber production, reducing wildfire risk, and supporting rural and tribal economies by creating new markets for small‑diameter timber and woody biomass. Eligible applicants include private businesses, nonprofits, tribes, state and local governments, higher‑education institutions, and public utility, fire, conservation, and school districts.
Trade
Earlier this morning, the Supreme Court issued its ruling that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not give the President authority to impose tariffs, rejecting the use of emergency economic powers as a basis for broad import duties. In doing so, the Court vacated the lower court decision in case 24‑1287 and directed that it be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction, while affirming the lower court’s ruling in case 25‑250. Taken together, the decisions clarify that future tariff actions must rely on traditional trade statutes—not emergency authorities—providing greater predictability for importers, manufacturers, and supply‑chain partners who depend on stable trade policy. The ruling was authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, who was joined by three liberal justices and two fellow conservatives, Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, in the 6-3 vote. The opinion may be found here.
The following paragraph from the opinion captures the court’s action succinctly:
"The President asserts the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration, and scope. In light of the breadth, history, and constitutional context of that asserted authority, he must identify clear congressional authorization to exercise it. IEEPA’s grant of authority to “regulate . . . importation” falls short. IEEPA contains no reference to tariffs or duties. The Government points to no statute in which Congress used the word “regulate” to authorize taxation. And until now, no President has read IEEPA to confer such power. We claim no special competence in matters of economics or foreign affairs. We claim only, as we must, the limited role assigned to us by Article III of the Constitution. Fulfilling that role, we hold that IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs."
Today’s decision did not establish a clear refund process. Details will likely evolve in the coming days, and we will continue to monitor for further instructions from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and the lower courts.
As we have noted in previous updates, there are numerous other authorities the Administration may use to implement its tariff agenda. We will keep you updated on actions in the trade space.
Safety Update
Sedgwick Safety Services
OSHA Injury Tracking Application (ITA) Online Submission
Now that 2025 is behind us, hopefully you have finalized your OSHA Injury and Illness Log for 2025 and printed, signed and posted the 300A Summary form in a conspicuous location. This was due on February 1st and the Summary form must remain posted until April 30th. Excellent work if you have this completed, however, some employers may still have one more step – submitting their injury and illness information online to OSHA.
If you are unsure whether or not you are required to complete this online submission, the best way to check this is by going to OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application (ITA) Coverage Application at https://www.osha.gov/itareportapp. Input the required information on company size, location and industry type, then hit the “Submit” button and it will tell you what reports, if any, will need to be submitted. You may be required to submit information from your OSHA 300A Summary Form and possibly, information from your OSHA 300 Log and OSHA 301 “Injury and Illness Incident Report”. If your establishment is required to submit online, you must go to OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application at https://www.osha.gov/injuryreporting/ita/. If you are a New User to the website, you will first need to create an ITA account.
Once that has been completed, the second step is “Sign in with Login.Gov“ account. You must use the same email address when setting up your ITA Account and your Login.Gov Account. Be sure to follow the steps under “Get help submitting your injury and illness date”. The page allows you to access:
OSHA’s Injury Reporting Page
ITA Frequently Asked Questions
OSHA’s Record-keeping Page
Help Desk Ticket
OSHA’s ITA Data Page
Once you have successfully set up an account, then you can submit the required information. This may just be the OSHA 300A Summary information or it may also include information from your OSHA 300 Log and OSHA Form 301 (remember, you can determine what data is required for submission from the ITA Coverage Application discussed above). The online submission is a fairly straight forward process, but you will need a little patience. Some of the documents or information you need will include your NAICS number, average number of employees, total work hours, OSHA 300A Summary report and, if required, your OSHA Log and OSHA 301 Form(s).
Additional News and Links
American Loggers Council Update
U.S. Forest Service announces funding opportunity to strengthen forest products economy, forest sector jobs
USDA Forest Service News Release
Washington, D.C., February 18, 2026- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service today announced up to $95 million in competitive grant funding through its Wood Innovations program for projects that advance innovative wood uses, expand wood-based construction, and grow U.S. wood energy markets and forest product processing capacity.
“A strong timber industry is essential for active forest management and the vitality of rural economies,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. “By supporting mills and markets that transform forest byproducts into valuable goods, we strengthen domestic manufacturing, reduce wildfire risks, and generate well-paying jobs across rural America.”
Funding is available through three Forest Service grant programs: the Wood Innovations Grant, Community Wood Grant, and Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Grant programs. Together, these programs support projects that:
Develop innovative wood products
Increase the use of wood in commercial and residential construction
Expand wood energy systems
Modernize, retrofit, or increase the capacity of wood products manufacturing facilities
Eligible applicants include private businesses, for-profit and non-profit organizations, tribes, state and local governments institutions of higher education, and public utility, fire, conservation, and school districts.
The investments support President Trump’s Executive Order on Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins’ direction to have the Forest Service to ramp up active forest management to improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and support rural prosperity. Byproducts of these activities – such as small diameter timber and woody biomass – have historically had little market value. Forest Service grant programs help create new opportunities to use this material in a wide range of wood products.
Businesses engaged in or supporting the forest products economy – which is vital to many rural and tribal communities – may apply for funding to expand manufacturing capacity.
For more information on Wood Innovations, Community Wood and Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Grant programs, visit the Forest Service website. Final grant funding levels will be subject to the availability of funds.
ODNR Updates
ODNR Division of Forestry Provides more than $593K to Support Rural Ohio Fire Departments
COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry recently approved grant funding for 95 projects totaling more than for fire departments in rural areas of Ohio through the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grant program.
“In addition to wildland fire training, this funding helps departments serving Ohio’s wildfire protection area enhance their equipment and operational readiness,” said Dan Balser, chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry. “Investing in local departments strengthens emergency response at the community level.”
Fire departments that are awarded VFA grants can use the funding to purchase equipment like all-terrain vehicles and other tools that support operations.
VFA grant projects focus on supporting rural fire departments and helping them continue delivering safety services to their communities. VFA grants are open to fire departments composed of at least 80% volunteer firefighters that serve communities with populations of less than 10,000 people within the ODNR Forestry wildfire protection area.
The grant funds may be used by fire departments to purchase all-terrain vehicles, wildfire water tanks and pump units, wildfire and structure fire safety equipment, radios, tools, and other items to support fire department operations and development. VFA grants may fund up to 50% of the total project cost, not to exceed $10,000 per grant.
Many rural fire departments in Ohio have tight budgets, and most of their limited resources must be focused on keeping essential emergency services running. ODNR Forestry’s VFA grant program helps supplement fire department budgets and facilitates important purchases, such as firefighter personal protective equipment and basic fire suppression equipment.
VFA grant funding is provided to ODNR Forestry from the USDA Forest Service. Funding for this cycle of VFA grants was sourced from ODNR Forestry’s annual VFA allocation and from additional designated Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds.
A Sweet Taste of Spring: Ohio State Parks Maple Syrup Festivals Are Back
COLUMBUS, Ohio — As winter begins to fade, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Parks and Watercraft will soon be celebrating one of the season’s most anticipated traditions, maple syrup season. This March, visitors are invited to four Ohio State Parks to experience the sights, smells, and flavors of maple sugaring through hands-on demonstrations, outdoor adventures, and plenty of sweet treats.
“Maple syrup season is a special time in Ohio,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “These festivals offer a fun way for families to get outside, learn how syrup is made, and connect with the natural and cultural traditions that have been part of our state for generations.”
Hueston Woods State Park – 59th Annual Maple Syrup Festival
March 7, 8, 14, and 15, noon to 4 p.m.
Take a scenic hayride from the beach parking lot to a guided hike through the 200-acre “Big Woods,” a state nature preserve. Learn the science and tradition of syrup making, then treat yourself to local maple syrup and refreshments available for purchase. A breakfast buffet featuring pancakes will also be available at the lodge from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. - $10 for adults and $8 for children 10 and under.
Malabar Farm State Park – 49th Annual Maple Syrup Festival
March 7, 8, 14, and 15, noon to 4 p.m.
Experience a sugar camp with live historic and modern syrup-making demonstrations, horse-drawn wagon rides, food, and tasty maple products to sample and purchase. Visitors can also take a self-guided tour of the historic “Big House.”
Hocking Hills State Park - Maple Sugaring in the Hills
March 14 and 15,11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit the naturalist cabin behind the Old Man’s Cave visitor center to see how sap transforms into maple syrup. Through live demonstrations, learn about the deep-rooted history of maple sugaring in Ohio. A local producer will be on hand with syrup available for purchase.
Indian Lake State Park – Maple Syrup Festival
March 21, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and March 22, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Watch a live demonstration showcasing the transformation of sap into maple syrup. A pancake and sausage breakfast featuring pure maple syrup served up by the Indian Lake Development Corporation will also be available both days - $8 for adults and $4 for children.
All festivals are free and open to the public but be sure to bring cash to support local vendors and take home some of Ohio’s finest maple syrup.
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Wednesday, March 11, 2026 |
3/11/2026 » 3/12/2026 Location: Columbus, Ohio |
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