AFA NEWSROOM V11 NO. 22, november 15, 2016

Trump pulls upset win over the Clinton dynasty  

Catching most of the major polls and practically all of the "mainstream media" flatfooted, Republican Nominee Donald Trump pulled a big victory out of the electoral hat last Tuesday.

Trump's victory bodes well for Alabama, which he carried by an overwhelming vote of 63%.

The Republicans also maintained control of both the House and the Senate, also a good thing for conservative issues. The fact our U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions was an early and vocal supporter of Trump has Sessions name mentioned for a top appointment, such as U.S. Attorney General or perhaps director of the Homeland Security agency.

If Michigan is called for Trump (he is ahead in the unofficial tally by about 13,000 votes) Trump, who now has 290 electoral votes, could end up with an overwhelming 306 electoral votes to Clinton's 232.

Sumter County says "no" to higher property taxes

Voters in Sumter County voted down a proposal for an ad valorem tax increase of about 16% in the General Election last Tuesday. 

With all precincts reporting the "No" vote was 3,125 (55%) and the "Yes" vote was 2,559 (45%).  

The committee called the Sumter County Citizens for Fair Tax, which was formed to fight the proposal, successfully ginned up enough opposition to kill the proposed increase. PHOTO: Sumter County Courthouse.

demopolis "safety day" had over 100 participants 

The Alabama Forestry Association (AFA) and the Alabama Loggers Council (ALC) recently conducted a Driver Safety Day at the WestRock mill in Demopolis. Over 100 log truck drivers  participated in the event that included a free lunch and a packet of safety materials emphasizing driver responsibility to reduce speed and focus on eliminating distracted driving. 

Alabama log trucks have a great safety record. Log truck accidents make up well under one percent of all total crashes in Alabama. But we strive to reduce that even more. Excessive speed is the largest contributor to crashes. Other crash causes include driving fatigued and distracted driving.
 
Safety and safe driving is a priority for AFA and ALC and we hope all drivers will maintain a focus on safety for the sake of their family and friends.

PHOTOS: Top picture, left to right are WestRock Forester J.C. Etheridge, WestRock Regional Fiber Manager Terry Randall, ALC Director Joel Moon and WestRrock Procurement Forester Joey Smith. Bottom photo, left to right, ALC Director Joel Moon discusses truck safety with driver Michael Sanford of Ras Fitzhugh Trucking, LLC. 

Emerald Ash Borer quarantine emergency RULE

Attached is the latest draft of the Alabama Emerald Ash Borer quarantine emergency rule.  According to Patrick Moody, attorney for the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries, the rule is patterned after Georgia’s rule while making adjustments to keep the form and terminology in-line with our other existing quarantines.  Please note the following major points:
1. This rule allows for unregulated movement of ash within the regulated area (Calhoun, Cherokee and  Cleburne Counties). So nothing changes from current operations.
2. This rule allows for movement of ash outside of the regulated area once the hauler has (1) entered into a compliance agreement (we will utilize the USDA form) and (2) obtained a permit from ADAI (we will issue instantly once the Compliance agreement is executed).  Movement from the regulated area will only be allowed during the EAB “no fly” period of November 1 through March 1.
3. Facilities located outside of the regulated area that will handle or process regulated articles must enter into a compliance agreement. Contact: Patrick B. Moody, 1445 Federal Drive Montgomery, AL 36107
334-240-3898 office / 334-240-3725 fax.

wildlife biologist Tyler Sibley joins afa staff

Tyler Sibley, a 2012 Auburn University graduate with a BS degree in Wildlife Sciences, has joined the AFA staff as AFA Fish and Wildlife Biologist.

In his last job Tyler worked for the USDA in Texas as a Wildlife Damage Management Biologist. His work included working with landowners to control wild hog populations and presenting Wildlife Damage Management programs and educational demonstrations to private and public landowners.

"With the importance of wildlife to landowners and forestry companies, Tyler will fill a gap in our outreach program for dealing with fish and wildlife issues," said AFA-EVP Chris Isaacson. "While still a young man, Tyler has great experience working with government agencies and private landowners. Please join us in welcoming him to the AFA staff."     

Piedmont District Holds Special Event

The Piedmont district's Log a Load for Kids committee and Children's Hospital participated in the Chambers County Fair hosted by Chambers Academy in Lafayette, Ala. last weekend. Log a Load Chair Mandy Cain said the event included guessing the weight of a loaded log truck and a "log loader challenge." 

The event raised $1,560 for Children's Hospital of Birmingham. Flint Equipment of Columbus, Ga. loaned a John Deere loader for the event. Mandy thanked Chambers County students Lindsey Fuller, Lauren Fuller, Natalie Lovelace, Jacob Brown, Nic Ford, Wyatt Cain, Dillon Williams, Abby Cain, Layla Keebler and Jana Sanders for helping out. 

Thad Cain, owner of Woodchop Timber, won the loader contest with a score of 2:37:96. Wanda Brushwood of Lafayette won the "Guess the Load" contest. The load weighed 83,920 and she guessed 84,600. The winners of both events donated their winnings back to Log a Load. Photo: Leader Board lists winners of loader challenge.

Do you need more PLM CE?

If you need more PLM Continuing Education credits keep checking the AFA calendar for last minute course availability.  Get your hours anytime with online continuing education available at www.alaforestry.org.  

PLM Initial Training for 2017 

Dates have been set for Initial PLM training next year – January 12 and 19 in Auburn at the CAT Training Center with a second training February 9 and 16 at the Bevill State Jasper campus.  Registration will be available online at www.alaforestry.org. For more information, contact Jena Hillman at 334-481-2128 or Ashley Smith 334-481-2137.  

brewton rr set for  Dec. 1 

The Brewton AFA Regional Reception this year has been set for December 1, 2016 at the Brewton Country Club.

As is usually the case, the Longleaf District meeting will take place first, at 5 p.m., followed by the Regional Reception at 6 p.m.

For those of you who live in the Longleaf District, please mark you calendar and plan on attending this important meeting and the reception that follows. Read more and  register...

no burn order extended statewide in alabama 

MONTGOMERY – Effective 3:00 p.m. Monday, November 7, 2016, all 67 counties in the state of Alabama have been placed under a ‘No Burn’ order, in which all outdoor burning is prohibited.

Interim State Forester Gary Cole of the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) presented the formal statewide Declaration of Drought Emergency Conditions, (often referred to as a ‘No Burn’ order) to Governor Robert Bentley who approved the action. Read more

how manufactured housing affects use of softwood lumber & osb

Forisk projects housing starts of 1.17 million for 2016, which represents a 5.3% increase over 2015 actuals.

However, manufactured homes, commonly referred to as mobile homes, represent an end-use for lumber and structural panels that are not captured in new residential construction statistics released by the Department of Commerce. These prefabricated homes are mostly assembled in factories and, per Federal Regulations, are required to be at least 320 square feet in size. Read more...

Global demand driving wood business in us South

Over the last few decades, the US South has become the most active region in the country for the forest products industry. While a number of factors have contributed to this trend, it has ensued primarily because the South provides ample access to fast-growing, quality wood fiber that is managed on private lands and is therefore not subject to much of the overbearing regulation that is so pervasive in other parts of the country.

This abundance of affordable wood has attracted investment from existing, foreign-owned wood products companies, as well as those participating in new industry sectors, including industrial wood pellets, biofuels and biochemicals. Read more...

dry weather impedes food plot plantings

How dry is it? It's so dry, down at the creek the minnows are kicking up dust!

Okay. We know that the drought is no laughing matter. Backing that up is a recent report by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources about the problems hunting club members are having planting their food plots for the coming hunting season. Read more... 

plm opportunities in alabama

Now is a GREAT time to earn PLM continuing education hours. Forestry field days and indoor course opportunities are listed on the AFA Calendar.
Get more info at: http://www.alaforestry.org/events/event_list.asp. New opportunities are constantly being added so check back often.

participants had a blast at Westervelt on Nov. 4th

The 13th Annual Charlie Hughen Memorial Sporting Clay & Skeet Shoot held Friday, November 4 at the Westervelt Lodge in Aliceville was a great success.

Although the Warrior District event sponsors were still tabulating how much the event raised, they believe it will be at least $22,000, with some checks still to be collected.  PHOTO: Pictured above was the winning team at the Westervelt shootout, from left to right, Dan Garnand, Larry Kirkpatrick, Bob Carleton and Randy Stone. Bob was top gun, breaking 49 out of 50 targets.      

NEXT YEAR: Sponsors of the Delta District's Annual Golf Tournament have set a tentative date of May 18, 2017 for their event next year.

As always, the event will be held at the Deerfield Golf Club at Chatom, Alabama, which is owned by event sponsors, the Chuck Reynolds family.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT FORESTRY BOOKS 

We now have two books that you can use to learn more about forestland management and the history of the forest products industry in Alabama. These books make outstanding gifts for birthdays, Christmas and any other gift-giving purpose. The book on the left, Green Gold: Alabama's Forests and Forest Industries, provides the first comprehensive history of forestry in Alabama, from when the Indians cleared forests for agriculture to the modern era.

The book on the right, Managing Forests on Private Lands in Alabama and the Southeast, is probably the best book every produced on managing forests for timber production and for preserving water and wildlife resources.      

If you are interested in owning either or both of these books, contact Liz Chambers at (334) 481-2135 or lchambers@alaforestry.org.