OFA News

Sawmiller LLC is hiring

Wed, 1 Nov 2023 15:22:00 GMT

Sawmiller LLC is a manufacturer of wood pallets. The company operates two low grade sawmills in Hocking County, a pallet production facility in Hocking County, and a pallet manufacturing facility in Washington County. We are currently seeking a procurement forester to join our team.

Key Responsibilities:

- Procure logs and wood from various sources in Southeast Ohio and West Virginia

- Work with loggers, landowners, sawmills, and log yards to ensure the volume, quality, and cost requirements are met

- Monitor market trends and pricing to optimize procurement strategies

Required Skills and Qualifications:

- Proven experience in procuring logs or wood in Southeast Ohio

- Strong knowledge of forestry practices, regulations, and sustainability principles

- Excellent communication and negotiation skills

- Ability to work independently and make informed decisions

Sawmiller offers competitive compensation and benefits package, including affordable health insurance, life insurance, paid time off, and a 401k retirement plan. Interested candidates should submit their resume’ to rudy@sawmillerllc.com.

Sawmiller is willing to consider full and part time applicants.

Brad Perkins appointed to OHio Reclamation Forfeiture Fund Advisory Board

Mon, 9 May 2022 20:01:00 GMT

Ohio Governor, Mike DeWine has appointed OFA's former Executive Director, Brad Perkins to the Ohio Reclamation Forfeiture Fund Advisory Board. Brad's term began May 6, 2022 and will run through January 10, 2023.

How Does Recycling Work? The Industry Answers.

Tue, 8 Jun 2021 14:49:34 GMT

How Does Recycling Work? The Industry Answers.

In May, AF&PA released our 2020 paper and cardboard recycling rates. As we continue to amplify the recyclability of our products, AF&PA is excited to share our new recycling video, helping people better understand what happens after paper products are placed in the recycling bin. Learn more here.

OFA Back to In Person Events

Mon, 24 May 2021 17:00:47 GMT

Due to recent changes in orders from the Ohio Governor's Office and Ohio Health Department OFA will be returning to in-person events after June 2. The following in-person events are being planned:

Camp Canopy - June 13-18
Summer Outing - July 28-29
Lumberman's Outing - September 15
Paul Bunyan Show - October 1-3.

We miss you, and look forward to seeing everyone at one of these upcoming events!

Last Call for the EB Miller Memorial Scholarship Applications

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 13:24:45 GMT

LAST CALL! If you know of a high school pursuing a Natural Resources major encourage them to apply today. Deadline is April 15! https://www.ohioforest.org/page/Scholarship

Cleveland's INTRO-CLE project featured in video at recent International Mass Timber Conference

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 19:04:13 GMT

Premiered at the International Mass Timber Conference in March 2021, this video showcases the vast environmental and economic impacts that are created through INTRO CLE for the City of Cleveland, State of Ohio, and the environment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmjg1gEK7aE

Virtual Annual Meeting Available on You Tube

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 13:22:02 GMT

Did you miss our Virtual Annual Meeting on March 3-4? All of the videos have now been uploaded to our you tube channel. Check it out https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoMqGlEhhdOTKaTfyrd2n0Q

2020 Ohio Virtual Tree Farm of the Year Video Released

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 14:08:28 GMT

The 2020 Ohio Tree Farm of the Year video is now available. See what having a quality, sustainable woodland involves for the Brammer Family Farm in northeast Ohio.

Due to the COVID – 19, the Ohio Tree Farm Committees Annual Tree Farm of the Year Tour could not be held in 2020. Watch www.OhioTreeFarm.org for details about the 2021 plans.

OFAF Board of Directors Selects 2021 Conservation Education Grant Recipients

Mon, 7 Dec 2020 14:43:27 GMT

The Ohio Forestry Association Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2021 Conservation Grants!

• Ohio 4-H Youth Development $1000

• Team Safe Trucking $1250

• Chillicothe Parks and Recreation $500

• Hocking College Forestry Club $1250

• Coshocton County Career Center $1250

• Holden Forest and Gardens $1250

The OFA Foundation Conservation Education Grant Program is designed to provide funding for activities that align with the Mission Statement of the OFA Foundation.

Forests to Finished!

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 16:08:21 GMT

Check out this cool video that gives a 5 minute tour of how logs become furniture!

RYAN REDOUTEY RECOGNIZED BY FRA FOR TECHNICAL WRITING

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 16:22:31 GMT

Ryan Redoutey, owner of Redoutey Logging in McDermott, Ohio, was recently named the first-place winner in the Forest Resources Association’s Appalachian Region Technical Writing Award competition for 2020. This annual award recognizes the best Technical Releases published and posted on FRA’s website.

Ryan wrote Technical Release 20-R-4, Dozer “Carry-All” Transports Hay & Straw Bales Through the Woods. His Technical Release describes and illustrates how he fabricated a metal platform (“carry-all”) to fit onto the front of his bulldozer blade. Ryan uses it to transport hay or straw bales and other materials needed for BMP work in the woods when closing out a harvesting operation.

(20-R-4 is attached. FRA members may also find it in the members-only/login area of www.forestresources.org.)

This Week is National Forest Products Week!

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 16:18:45 GMT

National Forest Products Week is celebrated the third week in October every year. It's a time to recognize the many products that come from our forests, the people who work in and manage our forest, the businesses that make the products and how each of these components contribute to our lives.

Sickles & Son Logging Finishes 2nd in Appalachian Region Logger of the Year Contest

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 12:59:05 GMT

The Forest Resource Association recently alerted us that 2020 Ohio Logger of the Year, Keith Sickles of Sickles & Son Logging, just missed being named the Appalachian Region Logger of the Year, finishing in 2^nd place. It is a great honor for any logger to achieve this level of recognition for the outstanding work they do and the way they conduct their business. If you see Keith, give him a Big Congratulations!

Have You Received Unsolicited Seed in the Mail?

Mon, 27 Jul 2020 18:24:43 GMT

ODA Asks Public to Not Plant any Unsolicited Packages of Seeds – The Packets Contain Unknown Seeds & Often Feature Chinese Writing - Following is an important news release from the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

REYNOLDSBURG, OH (July 27, 2020) – The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has been notified that several Ohio residents have received unsolicited packages in the mail containing seeds that appear to have originated from China. The types of seeds in the packages are currently unknown and may contain invasive plant species. Similar seed packets have been received recently in several other locations across the United States.

If you receive a package of this type, please DO NOT plant these seeds. If they are in sealed packaging, do not open the sealed package. You can report the seeds to ODA online here or you may contact the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Anti-smuggling Hotline by calling 800-877-3835 or by emailing SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov. Also, if possible, please retain the original packaging, as that information may be useful to trade compliance officers as they work through this issue.

Unsolicited seeds could be invasive species, contain noxious weeds, could introduce diseases to local plants, or could be harmful to livestock. Invasive species and noxious weeds can displace native plants and increase costs of food production. ODA and APHIS work hard to prevent the introduction of invasive species and protect Ohio agriculture. All foreign seeds shipped to the United States should have a phytosanitary certificate which guarantees the seeds meet important requirements.

We will have the latest information regarding this investigation on our website.

2020 Paul Bunyan Show Cancelled

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 18:08:44 GMT

After much deliberation, the Paul Bunyan Show Committee and the Ohio Forestry Association Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Paul Bunyan Show.

The safety of our exhibitors, attendees, staff and volunteers are our top concern, and we do not feel we can put on a show of this nature and adhere to the COVID-19 safety measures put in place by the state and local health departments.

Our goal has always been to put on a successful show for our exhibitors and an entertaining show for our attendees. With the uncertainty about the number of people that might be allowed to attend and what events we would be able to hold, we cannot in good faith ask our exhibitors to take the financial risk that would be involved in attempting to have a show this year.

We look forward to returning October 1-3, 2021.

2020 Camp Canopy Cancelled

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 17:33:06 GMT

It is with great sadness that the Ohio Forestry Association Foundation and the Camp Canopy Co-Directors have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Camp Canopy session due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Rest assured that we are already planning for a great Camp Canopy week for 2021. In the meantime, keep watching our page for some exciting virtual events to take place the week of Camp (June 7-12)!

OFA receives new tables for conference room!

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 12:54:35 GMT

OFA receives new tables for conference room!

Last week, Immediate Past President, Adam Conway presented OFA with 8 Black Walnut tables for our conference room. The tables were made by Superior Hardwoods of Ohio.Thank you Superior Hardwoods. They are beautiful!

Forest Products Industry Essential Workforce

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 18:46:36 GMT

As you are most likely aware, yesterday Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a “stay-at-home” order, effectively ordering people in “non-essential” jobs to stay at home, with a few exceptions.

In issuing the order, the Governor is using the following guidance document, "MEMORANDUM ON IDENTIFICATION OF ESSENTIAL CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WORKERS DURING COVID-19 RESPONSE", released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 19 ,2020, to determine the criteria for Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce

According to that document, Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce includes "Workers who support the manufacture and distribution of forest products, including, but not limited to timber, paper, and other wood products".

America needs our industry to continue producing the paper-based products used daily by all Americans as well as in the medical field. We need packaging materials to ship these and many other important products in. We need pallets to ship all these packaged products to those in need around the country. These are just a few of the essential critical infrastructure items that the forest products industry in Ohio supplies.

The bottom line is that the forest products industry and its workforce have been declared as “essential” to the effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to keep America running.

As an individual business, it is ultimately your decision as to whether or not to continue operating. If you do keep operating, please be sure to follow all “social distancing” guidelines, as outlined in the ODH Stay at Home document.

Annual Meeting is this Week!

Mon, 2 Mar 2020 13:01:10 GMT

The 2020 Annual Meeting will kickoff this Wednesday. The meeting will begin on Wednesday evening with a reception at the Jack Nicklaus Museum in Columbus followed by a full day of education on Thursday. See the full schedule here. It's not too late to register! Call OFA at 888-388-7337.

October 21-26 is Forest Products Awareness Week

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 05:00:00 GMT

National Forest Products Week is a time to not only recognize the importance of forests and forest products in our every day lives, but to celebrate the solutions they provide that make the places we love healthier and more sustainable places to live, work, and play.

From daily essentials to next generation technology, forest products reduce our dependence on plastics and fossil fuels and create a model for a built environment that is anchored in natural, renewable, and environmentally positive materials. All of this, while still cleaning our air, purifying our water, and beautifying our landscapes.

So whether you work in the sector, care about your community, or just share a passion for forests and the great outdoors - you have reason to celebrate. This week is for you. Join us in being #forestproud.

OFA Hosts Another Successful Paul Bunyan Show!

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 16:26:06 GMT

The 2019 Paul Bunyan Show was a big success.The show was attended by a total of 12,532 over the 3 day event. There were 167 exhibiting companies for a total of 247 booths.

Thank you to our sponsors and wood contributors:

Sponsors
Husqvarna
Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co.
John Deere Forestry
Columbus Equipment Co.
Superior Hardwoods of Ohio
Rudd Equipment Co.
Doll Lumber Co.
Bryan Equipment Sales
Stihl
Pixelle Specialty Solutions
Northwest Hardwoods
Frontier Woodland Services, LLC
Conservation Services, Inc.
Yoder Lumber
Ron Colvin Enterprises
Champion Power Equipment
Combined Insurance
Hill International Trucks, LLC
ICR Supply
LaRoche Tree Service
Penso Firewood
Gary Raber Transport
Independent Stave Co.
Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth
Debray Farm
DeNoon Lumber

Wood Donors
Allen Adkins Timber Products
Caudill Chipping
Timmy Bigham
Doll Lumber Co.
John Bedenbaugh
K&E Logging
Keith Sickles Logging
L&L Excavating & Landclearing
Milltree
Millwood Lumber
Pixelle Specialty Solutions
Redoutey Logging
Ron Sammons
SEOLC
Sawmiller
Snake
Superior Hardwoods of Ohio
Triple S Farm
Twin River Hardwoods
Vorhees Logging, LLC
Weyerhaeuser Company
Yoder Lumber

Following are the winners of the Ohio State and International Lumberjack Competitions:
Ohio State Lumberjack Competition

	1st Place	2nd Place	3rd Place	4th Place	5th Place
Horizontal Chopping Block	Robert Freeman	Grant Foreman	Bud Smitley	Jared Hawkins	Derek Dusthimer
Open Chainsaw	Ken Freeman	Bud Smitley	Jarod Hawkins	Rick Hawkins	Grant Foreman
2 Person Cross-Cut Sawing	Ken Freeman Robert Freeman	Derek Dusthimer Grant Foreman	Angie Dusthimer Amanda Ary	Jason Hawkins Jared Hawkins	Bud Smitley Tim Winkler
Jack & Jill Cross-Cut Sawing	Derek Dusthimer Angie Dusthimer	Jarod Hawkins Tabitha Hawkins	Grant Foreman Amanda Ary	Robert Freeman Sue Freeman
Axe Throw	Grant Foreman	Derek Dusthimer	Tim Winkler	Robert Freeman	Rick Hawkins

International Lumberjack Competition

	1st Place	2nd Place	3rd Place	4th Place	5th Place
Underhand Chop/ Horizontal Chop	Mark Bouquin	Jason Lentz	Zach Brouse	Matt Slingerland	Trevor Beaudry
Open Chainsaw	Adam Lethco	Richard Jordan	Jason Lentz	Trevor Beaudry	Nathan Waterfield
Axe Throw	Jason Lentz	Mike Sullivan	Mark Bouquin	Richard Jordan	Trevor Beaudry
Standing Block - men only	Jason Lentz	Trevor Beaudry	Matt Slingerland	Adam Lethco	Nathan Waterfield
Spring Board	Adam Lethco	Nathan Waterfield	Jason Lentz	Tom Lancaster	Trevor Beaudry
Two Person Cross-Cut	Mike Sullivan Richard Jordan	Jason Lentz Chris Savosh	Matt Slingerland Adam Lethco	Grant Foreman Derek Dusthimer	Robert Freeman Ken Freeman
Jack & Jill Cross-Cut	Jason Lentz Alicia Lents	Richard Jordan Darcy Rose	Mike Sullivan Nancy Zalewski	Matt Slingerland Cassandra Ferraro	Chris Savosh Alex Mille

The 2019 Log Loader Competition placements were:

Place	Name	Loader	Score
1st	George Post	Hood	87.036
2nd	Jeff Bolyard	Tiger Cat	86.955
3rd	Levi Strickland	Tiger Cat	86.382
4th	Danna Nottingham	Hood	83.213
5th	Pete Gilbert	Tiger Cat	81.940
6th	Marlin Stutzman	Hood	75.156
7th	Jon Post	Hood	75.118
8th	Michael Riggs	Hood	74.584
9th	Dale Reynolds	Tiger Cat	74.092
10th	Samual Miller	Hood	67.377

Bobtail & Boom Cruise-In

The 2019 winners were:

1st Place-Bobtail - Wade Etienne
2nd Place-Bobtail - Duanne Hostetler
1st Place-Boom - Allen Herchberger
2nd Place-Boom - Tim Hickman

The winner of the Log-A-Load Raffle of a Champion Power Equipment Log Splitter was Danny Richardson, and the winner of the Wooden Cowboy hat donated by Central Ohio Wood Turners was Steve Phyllisi.

The Winner of the board foot guess contest was Dylan Merrill of Elizabeth WV. The board footage was 4,695. Dylan's guess 4,691.

Thanks to our many volunteers, sponsors and donors who supply equipment, wood and countless manpower hours. Without you this show would not be possible.

2019 Camp Canopy Wraps Up

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 13:24:46 GMT

Another season of OFA’s forestry and wildlife conservation camp, Camp Canopy, concluded on June 14. With the exception of a couple afternoon/evenings with rain, and a couple untimely power outages, it was another great week of Camp. 100 students attended this year, up in numbers again for the 4th consecutive year, and 40+ different resource professional showed up throughout the week to instruct the great variety of classes.

The students were quite interested in learning, as evidenced by their attendance at voluntary study sessions during their recreation break periods. It paid off for several of them, as over $8,000 in college scholarships were handed out at the closing ceremony to the week’s top performing campers. A big thank you goes out to Hocking College, Ohio State University, Ohio University, Zane State College, and the Northeast Ohio Forestry Association for these scholarships.

Camp Canopy has also always been supported by various divisions of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), especially the Divisions of Forestry and Wildlife. This year, we were paid a visit on Tuesday by several new members of the ODNR team, including; Mary Mertz – ODNR Director, Steve Gray - ODNR Assistant Director, Dan Balser – Chief of Division of Forestry, Kendra Wecker -Chief of Division of Wildlife, and Alyssa Sarko – ODNR Youth Coordinator. They spent some time observing classes and eating camp food for lunch with the students and instructors. I think I even saw a picture somewhere of Director Mertz using a Biltmore Stick to measure a tree in class. I have no doubt that they were impressed with what Camp Canopy is all about and will continue their strong support.

We were also fortunate this year to have a visit from Gordy Mouw from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). Camp Canopy received a $5100 grant from SFI this year to help offset the costs for the next 3 years of printing Learning Manuals for the students and for renting buses to take students on field trips. Gordy joined the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year campers on a field trip to a furniture manufacturing company, riding in one of the buses their grant paid for, attended an SFI State Implementation Committee meeting, and joined me for a visit to a local sawmill, before eating dinner with several of the camp committee members and instructors.

Once again, OFA wants to sincerely thank all the contributors that make this great Camp a reality. This includes the volunteer Camp Committee members that give of their time and hearts to put this together, the many volunteer instructors that relay their knowledge and expertise to the campers, the camp staff that keeps the facilities running smoothly, the parents that encourage and bring their kids to this great opportunity, and the colleges and many student sponsors that financially make this camp a possibility for so many. Thank you!!

Summer Outing Details Finalized

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 16:22:39 GMT

Please Join The Ohio Forestry Association for the 2019 Summer Outing

Registration Brochure

Register Here

See who is coming

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, July 17

10:00 AM - OFA Executive Committee Meeting at the Lafayette Hotel
12:00 PM - Board of Directors Luncheon at the Lafayette Hotel
1:00 PM - OFA Board of Directors Meeting at the Lafayette Hotel

4:00 PM - Back by popular
demand, we will set sail for a relaxing 2 hour cruise on the Ohio River on board the Valley Gem Sternwheeler. Enjoy appetizers and cocktails while networking with your fellow wood industry professionals. The Sternwheeler will depart from the levee below the Lafayette Hotel at 4:00 PM. Please arrive at the hotel/levee no later than 3:45 PM. We will return to the hotel at 6:00 PM.

6:00 PM - The evening is free for dinner on your own. Enjoy one of the many restaurants the Marietta area has to offer. For a list of restaurants visit the Marietta Visitors Bureau at www.mariettaohio.org/dine.

Thursday, July 18

9:00 AM - Golf Registration Opens

The Golf Outing will be held at the Lakeside Golf Club in Beverly. The format will be a two-man blind draw with a
10:00 AM shotgun start. Coffee and donuts will be served, and lunch will be provided.

9:30 AM - Clay Shoot Registration Opens

The Clay Shoot will take place at Hilltop Sports in Whipple. The event includes 100 birds. The Shooting event will begin at 10:00 AM. Shells are not included. Gun rental is available. Lunch will be provided after you shoot.

3:00 PM - Reception - Beverages and light refreshments will be served before dinner at the Lakeside Golf Club.

4:00 PM - Awards Banquet and Steak Dinner
Be sure to join us at the Lakeside Golf Club for a steak dinner followed by an awards banquet.

The golf outing is $110 per golfer and includes lunch and dinner and the Valley Gem Reception
The clay shoot is $90 per shooter and includes lunch and dinner and the Valley Gem Reception
The dinner and awards banquet only is $35.

Sponsorships are needed in the following areas:

Golf Tee $150

Clay Station $100

Valley Gem Reception $1000

Reception at Lakeside Golf Course $500

Golf Beverage Cart Sponsor $750

Clay Shoot Beverage Sponsor $250

A block of sleeping rooms have been reserved at the Lafayette Hotel. Please make your reservation directly with the hotel at 800-331-9336

OFA Conducts CSAW Training for 320!

Mon, 1 Apr 2019 16:11:05 GMT

During the first quarter of 2019 OFA provided Level 1 and Level 2 Chainsaw Training for the ODNR - Division of Parks and Watercraft and Division of Wildlife as well as The OSU Forestry Forum, Stark County Parks and The City of Kettering.All together there were over 300 trainees in the 3 month time frame.

OFA Welcomes 2019-2020 Board of Directors

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 17:06:40 GMT

Please join the OFA Staff in welcoming the following to the 2019-2020 Board of Directors

Executive Committee
Adam Conway President Superior Hardwoods of Ohio Vincent, OH	Randy Bates Past President Murphy Equipment Co. Cambridge, OH
Tom Brown 1stVice President Brown Forest Products Lucasville, OH	David Bergman Treasurer Westerville, OH
Rudy Brandt 2nd Vice President Sawmiller, LLC Haydenville, OH	Brad Perkins Executive Director Ohio Forestry Association Zanesville, OH
Mike Krol 3rd Vice President American Wood Fibers Circleville, OH
Board of Directors
Mike Bell Ohio State University Columbus, OH Category: Student	Irene Moore Jefferson County SWCD Steubenville, OH Category: At Large
Eric Doll Doll Lumber Southington, OH Category: Sawmill	Sandra Patton Halliday Lumber, LLC Washington Court House, OH Category: Secondary Manufacturing
Allen Frederick Tree Farmer Logan, OH Category: Tree Farm	Don Rawn Steigerwaldt Land Services, Inc. Chillicothe, OH Category: Professional Forester
Wayne Hochstetler Hochstetler Wood Millersburg, OH Category: Secondary Manufacturer	Robert Romig Crossroads Tree Farm Wooster, OH Category: Education
Brian James Rudd Equipment Co. Columbus, OH Category: Forestry Equipment	Alan Smith S&J Lumber Thurman, OH Category: Sawmill
Jeff Jenkins Pixelle Specialty Solutions Chillicothe, OH Category: Pulp & Paper	Allen Troyer Berlin Lumber Berlin, OH Category: Logger
Jared Lute R. L. Lute Logging LUcasville, OH Category: Logger	Alan Walter Carrolton, OH Category: Landowner

OFA Members who wish to contact our Board of Directors - Click here.