WVFA Mountain State Forestry Summer 2021

6 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Summer 2021 www.wvfa.org T he forest industry in West Virginia is still riding the wave of a very positive housing market as we roll into the summer months. Almost all hardwood lumber species are dramatically increasing in price due to supply shortages of products like hardwood flooring and cabinets to pallet material and railroad ties. Forest landowners are also responding to demand by selling more stumpage. The only negative news that is being reported is the shortage of labor, which is definitely having a negative impact on some mills and logging operations. Over the last several months, the West Virginia Forestry Association launched several mailing campaigns to reach out to former members, as well as potential new members. As a result, our membership has increased over 30% so far in 2021. I want to take this opportunity and thank all of you who have joined WVFA and I look forward to your continued support. I also want to encourage any of you who may be interested in becoming a member of the Board of Directors to please submit your name to our Executive Director via email as elections will be held soon. Our Annual Meeting in Canaan Valley is scheduled for July 15 through July 17. This will be an in-person event, so I look forward to seeing everyone in our first face-to-face meeting in over a year. You can register online at www.wvfa.org. For all our new members, the annual meeting would be a good time to become acquainted with WVFA, meet and exchange ideas with other members, and take advantage of the activities that Canaan Valley Resort has to offer. In closing, I want to wish all of our members a happy and safe summer and if you’re planning a vacation, I hope that you have a good one! “Over the last several months, the West Virginia Forestry Association launched several mailing campaigns to reach out to former members, as well as potential new members. As a result, our membership has increased over 30% so far in 2021. I want to take this opportunity and thank all of you who have joined WVFA and I look forward to your continued support.” John Holstine Board President M E S S A G E F R OM T H E P R E S I D E N T