October 2012

67th Annual Meeting a success

Max BraswellAFA Executive Vice President

On a regular basis over the past few years, the AFA Executive

Committee and Board of Directors have reviewed and discussed the association’s financial health. It comes as no surprise that times have been tough. At its September 25 meeting, the Board of Directors approved an AFA membership dues adjustment to provide financial stability and build a much-needed reserve.

To provide some background, the AFA board approved a new dues structure in 2007 that went into effect in 2008. This is the only time in more than 20 years that AFA dues have been increased. The dues structure generated just over $271,000 in membership income, which allowed the association to meet its financial goals and obligations for the year.

However, since that time, dues income has averaged $247,669—a difference of over $23,000 per year, for three years. Over that same timeframe, our cash reserve dropped 63 percent. The reserve is used for operating expenses during bad economic conditions and, when needed, to engage in critical legislative, regulatory or other public policy initiatives.

The AFA staff has done its best to stem the tide; we have reduced

AFA strives to add value to your membership

See ‘Membership’ on back

With more than 320 participants over

three days of events and sessions, the 67th AFA Annual Meeting will go into the books as one of the most successful conferences in the association’s history.

Held September 25-27 at the Holiday Inn Airport in Little Rock, the program included a landowner workshop on timber tax, property rights and liability issues; golf and sporting clays; board of directors meeting; an exhibitors’ reception; sessions on the housing and timber markets, hot forestry topics, the weather and its impact, the benefits of wildlife management and feral hogs; an outstanding fish fry; and an awards breakfast honoring achivements in the forestry community.

The Program Committee’s goal was for participants to explore and define The New Normal in which our industry operates today and how it affects the economy and environment.

Plans are underway for the 68th Annual Meeting, October 1-3, 2013, at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock. If you are interested in serving on the Program Committee, please contact Jennifer Lambert at (501) 374-2441 or jlambert@arkforests.org.

“We especially want to thank the sponsors and exhibitors for their support,” said AFA

ArborGen hosts regional meetingJoin AFA members and staff for a Regional

Membership Meeting and nursery tour on Wednesday, November 14, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the ArborGen Fred C. Gragg Nursery, 186 Nevada 420, Bluff City.

“This event will be an excellent opportunity for AFA members to network and learn about nursery production,” said AFA

Executive Vice President Max Braswell. “We are looking forward to a great tour and encourage everyone to bring a guest.”

Please contact Jennifer Lambert at AFA—(501) 374-2441 or jlambert@arkforests.org—to register for the event. There is no charge to attend. Refreshments will be served.

Executive Vice President Max Braswell.

PLATINUM SPONSORS: Georgia-Pacific, International Paper, Outdoor

Underwriters, Weyerhaeuser

GOLD SPONSORS: Deltic, Evergreen Packaging, Plum Creek, Potlatch

SILVER SPONSORS: Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, American Forest Management/AFM Land Sales, Bibler Bros. Lumber Co., Cowboy Dispatch, Crop Production Services – Timberland Division, Domtar, F&W Forestry Services, Farm Credit Services of Western Arkansas, Hancock Forest Management, Larson & McGowin, Molpus, Regions Timberland Group, Resource Management Service, Timber Mart-South

BRONZE SPONSORS: Anthony Forest Products Co., Arkansas Board of Registration for Foresters, Brazeale Lumber Company, Davis DuBose Knight Forestry & Real Estate, International Forest Company, Kingwood Forestry Services, Neeley Forestry Service, Neill Forestry Consultants, Stevens Forestry Service

EXHIBITORS: Acorn Forestry, ArborGen, Arkansas Champion Tree Project, Arkansas Division – Ouachita Society of American Foresters, Arkansas Forestry Commission, Construction Safety Products, Crop Production Services, DataScout, Davis Dubose Knight Forestry and Real Estate, Dow Agro Sciences, Forrest Keeling Nursery, Haglof Inc., International Forest Company, Landmark Spatial Solutions, Outdoor Underwriters, Provine Helicopter, Red River Specialties Inc., Robco Distributors, Superior Forestry Service Inc., UA Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Weyerhaeuser Premium Seedlings

CALENDAR

October 20Central Arkansas

Log A Load For KidsSheridan

October 2410 a.m. – Forest Protection

CommitteeAFA Office, Little Rock

October 30-31Forest Product Export Conference

Vicksburg MS

November 1410 a.m. – Regional Membership

MeetingArborGen Fred C. Gragg Nursery

186 Nevada 420Bluff City, AR 71722

AFA endorses candidates who support forestry communityThe AFA Executive Committee, Board

of Directors and Government Affairs Committee approved the following candidate endorsements in the November 6 General Election:

U.S. House of Representatives1st District – U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford (R)2nd District – U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin (R)3rd District – U.S. Rep Steve Womack (R)4th District – Tom Cotton (R)

Arkansas House of RepresentativesDistrict 4 – Fonda Hawthorne (D-Ashdown)District 9 – Rep. Sheilla Lampkin (D-Monticello)District 15 – Ken Bragg (R-Sheridan) District 62 – Rep. Tommy Wren (D-Melbourne) District 65 – Rep. Tommy Thompson (D-Morrilton)

In the Arkansas House races, candidates

received a financial contribution from AFA’s Forest Express Political Action Committee (PAC).

“An effective government affairs program uses many strategies—from special events and projects, such as our legislative dinners, to building personal relationships with legislators,” said AFA Executive Vice President Max Braswell.

Financial support is important as well. That’s why it is essential to keep the association’s Forest Express PAC strong. AFA needs to increase its presence at the Capitol. You can help by contributing to the AFA Forest Express PAC.

To learn more about the PAC, visit the AFA website at www.arkforests.org and look under Programs/Advocacy or call the AFA office at (501) 374-2441.

AFA elects 2013 officers, executive committee, boardThe following officers, executive

committee and board of directors will lead the Arkansas Forestry Association in 2013.

PresidentRay Dillon, Deltic Timber Corp.

Vice PresidentRhonda Hunter, Weyerhaeuser

SecretaryPete Prutzman, Kingwood Forestry Services

TreasurerKen Bragg, Resource Management Service

Executive CommitteeAubra Anthony, Anthony Forest ProductsSteve Anthony, Anthony TimberlandsAllen BedellDavid Cawein, Green Bay PackagingTom Crowder, Bragg Land Co.Glenn Gray, Georgia-PacificRobert Gray, Potlatch Forest HoldingsSteve Hanley, Plum CreekAllen Morgan, Hunter-WassonWayne Owen, Crop Production ServicesFrank Wilson, Wilson Bros. Lumber Co.

2013 AFA Board of Directors(* Past President; +USDA liaisons & special non-voting)

Bill Abernathy, ArborGen, Inc., Bluff City*John Ed Anthony, Anthony Timberlands, Hot SpringsSteve Barham, Anthony Forest Products, El Dorado

Mark Beasley, Deltic Timber, El Dorado*Allen Bedell, Circle B Logging, Hot Springs*James Bibler, RussellvilleMike Boyd, Evergreen Packaging, Pine BluffTerry Bryant, Travis Lumber Co., MansfieldDavid Cassels, Regions Timberlan Group, MonticelloGary Churchill, Landowner, DoverMary Clapp, Stevens Forestry, El Dorado*Peggy Clark, Clark Timberlands, Hot SpringsTom Curtner, Curtner Lumber, Newport*O. H. Darling, CrossettBryan Davis, Davis DuBose Knight Forestry & Real Estate, Little RockBrad Dreyer, Hancock Forest Management, HopeMary Elizabeth Eldridge, Ross Foundation, Arkadelphia*Dave Elkin, DeQueen*Thomas Faust, Faust Band Sawmill, West Helena+*Joe Fox, Arkansas Forestry Commission, Little RockTerry Freeman, Bibler Bros. Lumber, RussellvilleJoe Friend, Arkansas Forestry Commission, CrossettRobert Fry, Weyerhaeuser Co., Hot SpringsJohn W. Gann, Landowner, EnglandEd Givens, Anthony Timberlands Inc., BeardenJohn Grigsby, Toler Lumber, LeolaDoug Grimmett, Larson & McGowin Inc., El DoradoCaroll Guffey, UAM, Monticello+Jim Guldin, U. S. Forest Service, Hot SpringsGreg Hay, Crop Production Services, ConwayRobert Head, IberiaBank, Little RockJohn Hearnsberger, Weyerhaeuser Co., Hot SpringsJim Hefley, Clark Timberlands, RisonDarwin Hendrix, Landowner, AntoineGlen Hendrix, Delta Natural Kraft, Pine BluffRyan Hendrix, Green Bay Packaging, Danville+Judi Henry, Ozark-St. Francis NF, Russellville*Harold Humphries, West MonroeRhonda Hunter, Weyerhaeuser Co., Hot Springs Kevin Jester, Kevin W. Jester Logging, ArkadelphiaMark Karnes, Ross Foundation, Arkadelphia

*Miles Lacy, Green Bay Packaging Inc., MorriltonRex Lawrence, Lawrence Land & Timber, GlenwoodErnest Lovett, Larson & McGowin Inc., Boles*John McEntire, ShreveportThomas McGill, Landowner, CamdenRoger Mangham, The Nature Conservancy, Little RockTommy Maxwell, Maxwell Hdwood Flooring, MonticelloScott Milburn, Deltic, WilmarLee Murphy, Mid-South Engineering, Hot SpringsLarry Nance, Arkansas Forestry Commission, Little RockJim Neeley, Neeley Forestry, CamdenJohn David Neeley, Neeley Forestry, CamdenTravis Oldershaw, Georgia-Pacific, GurdonRobert Parkes, Parkes Cattle Co., DoverRoland Partain, Anthony Timberlands Inc., Bearden*Ron Pearce, Fairview, TX Mike Pennington, L. D. Long, Inc., MonticelloCharles Purtle, Landowner, PrescottPeter Remoy, Plum Creek Timber, Crossett+George Rheinhardt, NRCS, Little RockSteve Richardson, Richardson Wood Co., WarrenScott Rowland, Neill Forestry, MagnoliaMack Smith, Idaho Timber, CarthageMike Staten, Anderson-Tully, Lake VillageRichard Stich, Plum Creek, Crossett+Phil Tappe, School of Forest Resources, MonticelloBobby Taylor, Taylor & Lunsford, SheridanRoger Taylor, Campbell Group, MonticelloDoug Teale, Domtar Industries, AshdownScott Thomas, International Paper, TexarkanaTom Tomlinson, Molpus Timberlands, Monroe, LA+Norman Wagoner, Ouachita NF, Hot Springs*R. V. Warner, WarrenTammy Waters, Domtar Industries, AshdownBruce Westerman, Mid South Engineering, Hot SpringsRoss Whipple, Whipple Family Lands, ArkadelphiaRodney Wishard, Kingwood Forestry, MonticelloMatt Williams, Weyerhaeuser Co., DeQueenJim Woodruff, Landowner, Rogers

Forestry achievements honored at Annual MeetingLOGGER OF THE YEAR

Roy Hodges

For Roy Hodges, success is the

result of having a dependable crew that does high-quality work. “I can’t do this by myself,” he said. “And if you’re going to have your name on the side of a truck, you have to be a professional.”

Roy Hodges Logging has been in business since 1990 and is a contractor for Deltic Timber Corporation. His 11 crew members operate six trucks and trailers, three loader-delimbers, four skidders, two cutting machines, one dozer and two lowboys. Crew members are cross-trained and there is little turn over.

“Timber production is just one piece of the puzzle,” he said. “We have to leave it ready for what comes next.”

“Roy and his crew often work tracts that are visible from high-traffic areas and they do it professionally, paying attention to detail, Best Management Practices and safety,” said Bill Whiting, with Deltic. “He is also a good business man, having managed through trying economic circumstances.”

Recently elected to the Arkansas Timber Producers Association’s board of directors. Hodges believes strongly in the mission of associations. “We have to have one voice,” he said. “To get someone to listen to our issues, we have to have strength in numbers.”

COMMUNICATORS OF THE YEARAllen and Ginny Nipper

Allen and Ginny

Nipper and their family own land in Arkansas and Louisiana and are actively involved in its management. The Nippers’ primary goal is to increase the value of their land for their own profit and smoothly transition its management to their adult children one day.

Years ago, both Ginny and Allen experienced numerous issues with the intergenerational transfer of family land. Some of those experiences still impact them today. But, it doesn’t have to be that way.

The Nippers have attended many different conferences and participated in meetings regarding intergenerational transfer. Unfortunately, they realized many of the issues they, and others, encountered could have been prevented with family communication. So, the Nipper family began meeting with their children to discuss asset and property management.

The Nippers’ experiences led them to develop the Landowner Legacy Communication program in 2006—LandownerLegacy.com. It is designed to help others learn how to conduct family meetings. They have taken their seminar across the country to help families begin communicating.

OUTSTANDING TREE FARMERW.J. Thomasson

Some people

fix up cars for a hobby, but W.J. Thomasson, of Pansy, likes to buy pieces of land and see what he can do. “I have thoroughly enjoyed forestry as a hobby and working with a host of trained people who have given me new ideas and techniques. The Lord has been so good to me and allowed me to harvest trees that I planted years ago,” Thomasson said. Today, his Tree Farm properties total 1,329 acres in South Central Arkansas.

“After retiring from International Paper in 1988, I began doing some consulting work and enjoyed it very much,” he said. “It also afforded the proceeds to purchase more land and improve it.”

Thomasson’s Tree Farm is a mosaic of natural and planted pine stands, food plots, roads, fire lanes and wildlife habitat. He has participated in Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program and other cost-share initiatives.

“Mr. Thomasson is unique person who spends a great deal of time and energy making sure his children and grandchildren will have a secure future and plenty of forest to enjoy,” said Robert Murphy, with the Arkansas Forestry Commission.

OUTSTANDING LOG A LOAD FOR KIDS VOLUNTEERKip Queathem

Kip Queathem, of Pine Bluff, has been a part of Arkansas Log A Load For Kids from

the beginning. He has been involved in the Central Arkansas committee and the statewide campaign. Since the program began in 1993, Log A Load For Kids has raised more than $5.5 million for Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH).

“Kip takes so much pride in fundraising for ACH. He is a great spokesman for all the forestry industry and its involvement in Log A Load For Kids,” said Bobby Taylor.

In 2011, Kip made remarks on behalf of the logging and forestry community at the investiture ceremony for Dr. Michiaki Imamura, holder of the Log A Load For Kids Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Surgery. For 19 years, Kip has attended countless campaign kickoffs, hospital tours, planning meetings and other events.

PRESIDENT’S AWARDSusan Glaze

In April of 2011, Susan Glaze retired after 36 years of serving as AFA’s Administrative Director. During

her tenure, Susan worked with six executive vice presidents and 20 presidents.

“No one has given more to AFA and forestry than Susan Glaze,” said AFA President Allen Morgan. “I cannot imagine a more worthwhile recipient of the

President’s Award and I am honored to present it to her.”

In addition to bookkeeping, membership administration, office management and other duties, Susan planned the annual meeting and spring board of directors meeting, coordinated the Arkansas Tree Farm program and revived Project Learning Tree in the state.

While at AFA, Susan served as an officer of the Arkansas Society of Association Executives and volunteered for numerous organizations.

controllable costs wherever possible.

The 2012 expense budget is $6,000 less than in 2008, despite that fact that health care and other business costs have risen dramatically. To help close the gap created by the drop in dues, we implemented a number of non-dues income initiatives. These efforts have helped, but have not provided the level of financial stability we need. At best, we expect to finish 2012 at break even.

The staff and Executive Committee have been discussing this dilemma for more than a year, and have concluded that without a new direction, there will soon be no significant reserve available, should the need arise to fight a critical political or regulatory battle, or to withstand another economic downturn.

With these factors in mind, we conducted a thorough review of the AFA membership

database and compared our dues structure with other southern forestry associations. We found that AFA dues rank at or near the bottom. While this fact alone does not justify the need for change, it does verify that we have an opportunity to support AFA in a way that will allow us to deliver the value you expect and more align our dues structure with that of our colleagues.

Here are a few important facts about the new structure:

• Most dues categories will see a one-time dues increase. For instance, an Individual Membership will move from $30 to $40.

• Large dues payers—forest products manufactures and large landowners—are in the membership categories that are most below the average dues paid across the south. It is neither feasible to move to the average nor make meaningful improvements in one year. Thus, a three-year schedule is in place.

‘Membership,’continued from front

Again, AFA dues have only been increased one time in over 20 years—a roughly 10 percent increase approved in 2007. Few, if any, businesses or organizations can remain viable taking that approach.

A dues increase is never easy and rarely popular. But, it is necessary if AFA is to continue to meet the growing needs of our members, while striving to deliver on our mission:

The Arkansas Forestry Association advocates for the sustainable use and

sound stewardship of Arkansas’s forests and related resources to benefit members of the state’s forestry community and all

Arkansans, today and in the future

The dues adjustment will appear on membership invoices starting the last week of December and thereafter.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me at (501) 374-2441 or mbraswell@arkforests.org if you have questions. We value your membership and input.