Minding the Forest

Tony Diaz, a chip mill operations manager for Graphic Packaging International in West Monroe, talks about his job as a procurement forester. Diaz also is president of the Louisiana Forestry Association. 
Learn more about the Louisiana Forestry Association by goin to www.laforestry.com.

Minding the Forest is a podcast of the Louisiana Forestry Association and his hosted by LFA Media Specialist Jeff Zeringue. Comments can be sent to [email protected].

Check out our website at laforestry.com.
Click this link to join the LFA.
If you want to find out more about the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, go to forests.org.

With the 2021 Regular Legislative Session wrapped up, LFA Executive Director Buck Vandersteen talks about the Louisiana Logger Relief Act, one of the industry's big wins. In the time of this recording and its release, the governor has signed HB 642, which created Act 410 and officials, including representatives of the LFA and Louisiana Logging Council, will help with creating the guidelines to help loggers and log truck businesses that lost revenue in 2020 due to the pandemic. 

Minding the Forest is a podcast of the Louisiana Forestry Association and his hosted by LFA Media Specialist Jeff Zeringue. Comments can be sent to [email protected].

Check out our website at laforestry.com.
Click this link to join the LFA.
If you want to find out more about the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, go to forests.org.

Each year, Louisiana Forestry Association Executive Director Buck Vanderstreen keeps an eye out on the state Legislature to see if any action it takes would affect landowners, loggers or wood manufacturers and uses his longtime experience promoting the forest products industry. When the Louisiana Legislature begins its next Regular Session April 12, what should we look out for? Also, if you'd like to get updates on the session from the LFA, send an email to [email protected] and ask to be included in the LFA's Legislative Update.

Minding the Forest is a podcast of the Louisiana Forestry Association and his hosted by LFA Media Specialist Jeff Zeringue. Comments can be sent to [email protected].

Check out our website at laforestry.com.
Click this link to join the LFA.
If you want to find out more about the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, go to forests.org.

Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry has a program that helps small landowners in their quest to manage their forestland by helping with sustainable forestry practices. State Forester Wade Dubea talks about this program and an overall view of what LDAF does to help keep forests in Louisiana.

Minding the Forest is a podcast of the Louisiana Forestry Association and his hosted by LFA Media Specialist Jeff Zeringue. Comments can be sent to [email protected].

Check out our website at laforestry.com.
Click this link to join the LFA.
If you want to find out more about the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, go to forests.org.

UPDATE: Since the release of this series, state Rep. Jack McFarland has withdrawn his efforts to propose a fuel tax in the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session. He said he will continue to purse some reforms of the GRIT Act and restructure the way taxes are spent for transportation.

When the Louisiana Legislature convenes this year, it might consider a bill that would reform how money is spent by the state Department of Transportation and Development and propose a new fuel tax that would be limited in how it could be spent. This is part 2 of the series with Master Logger and state Rep. Jack McFarland, who is taking a lead role in its development and proposal. As of this posting, a final proposal has not been completed.  When the Legislature convenes April 2, you can check out the session's progress and read bills by going to the Legislature's website: https://legis.la.gov/Legis/SessionInfo/SessionInfo_21RS.aspx

If you'd like to sign up for Legislative Updates, send an email to [email protected] with your request.

Minding the Forest is a podcast of the Louisiana Forestry Association and his hosted by LFA Media Specialist Jeff Zeringue. Comments can be sent to [email protected].

Check out our website at laforestry.com.
Click this link to join the LFA.
If you want to find out more about the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, go to forests.org.

UPDATE: Since the release of this series, state Rep. Jack McFarland has withdrawn his efforts to propose a fuel tax in the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session. He said he will continue to purse some reforms of the GRIT Act and restructure the way taxes are spent for transportation.

When the Louisiana Legislature convenes this year, it might consider a bill that would reform how money is spent by the state Department of Transportation and Development and propose a new fuel tax that would be limited in how it could be spent. Master Logger and state Rep. Jack McFarland is taking a lead role in its development and proposal. As of this posting, a final proposal has not been completed.

If you'd like to sign up for Legislative Updates, send an email to [email protected] with your request.

Minding the Forest is a podcast of the Louisiana Forestry Association and his hosted by LFA Media Specialist Jeff Zeringue. Comments can be sent to [email protected].

Check out our website at laforestry.com.
Click this link to join the LFA.
If you want to find out more about the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, go to forests.org.

Tax attorney and estate specialist Paul Spillers, who also is a past president of the Louisiana Forestry Association, talks about the tax benefits of timber landowners. In this episode, he talks about the tax deductions in managing your forest.

Minding the Forest is a podcast of the Louisiana Forestry Association and his hosted by LFA Media Specialist Jeff Zeringue. Comments can be sent to [email protected].

Check out our website at laforestry.com.
Click this link to join the LFA.
If you want to find out more about the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, go to forests.org.

Tax attorney and estate specialist Paul Spillers, who also is a past president of the Louisiana Forestry Association, talks about tax benefits for timber landowners. This part one of a two-part series.

Minding the Forest is a podcast of the Louisiana Forestry Association and his hosted by LFA Media Specialist Jeff Zeringue. Comments can be sent to [email protected].

Check out our website at laforestry.com.
Click this link to join the LFA.
If you want to find out more about the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, go to forests.org.

Dr. Michael Blazier is a professor and research project leader for LSU and statewide forestry extension specialist for the LSU AgCenter based at the Hill Farm Research Station in Homer, Louisiana. He is project leader for the Morehouse Family Forest Initiative, a project that seeks to help small, family forests to become managed forests, based on goals of the owners, as well as become part of the American Tree Farm System.

Minding the Forest is a podcast of the Louisiana Forestry Association and his hosted by LFA Media Specialist Jeff Zeringue. Comments can be sent to [email protected].

Check out our website at laforestry.com.
Click this link to join the LFA.
If you want to find out more about the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, go to forests.org.

Dr. Michael Blazier of LSU talks about the impact of hurricanes Laura and Delta to the Louisiana timber industry.

Minding the Forest is a podcast of the Louisiana Forestry Association and his hosted by LFA Media Specialist Jeff Zeringue. Comments can be sent to [email protected].

Check out our website at laforestry.com.
Click this link to join the LFA.
If you want to find out more about the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, go to forests.org.