Georgia Forestry Association

⏰ Pre-Registration Ends Next Week, Wednesday, July 17!

The cost for registration is currently $600 for full conference attendees and $200 per guest/spouse.

❗️Late-Registration Begins July 18❗️
Full conference rates will increase to $725 for full conference attendees and $275 per guest/spouse.

REGISTER TODAY @ www.gfagrow.org/annualconference
ONSITE REGISTRATIONS ARE LIMITED

Once you register…

👀 Exhibitor Booths are going fast! Secure your spot today!
🌲 Remember to separately register your spouse or guest!

🛏️ GFA room blocks are sold out but there is still availability at nearby hotels. Reserve your room today!

🎁 Donate to the Live and Silent Auction!

⭐️Become a Sponsor!

🦆 EARLY BIRD RATE EXPIRES TODAY!

Don’t let this opportunity fly away! 🦅 Register for the Georgia Forestry Association Annual Conference before the early bird deadline hatches. 🐣 Soar over to https://gfagrow.org/annualconference/registration/ and secure your spot today!

☀️ It’s summer, which means that we have some new faces at GFA as a part of our Internship Program. Please join us in welcoming our new interns for this summer!

Lawson Hull is our Policy & Economics Intern, focused on researching and developing projects in support of GFA’s advocacy efforts. Lawson is a Business Management major at Georgia College & State University, and he is from Jackson, Georgia. His expected graduation date is Fall 2025.

“I am excited to gain experience working with successful business leaders as well as politicians,” Lawson said. “The practical skills I have already learned during my internship will benefit me in whatever career path I take. I plan to continue working hard this summer, and I take pride in being a part of the number one forestry in the nation.”

Layla Wallace is our Communications & Marketing Intern, focused on developing content to inform our new Forestry101 educational platform. Layla is an Agricultural Communications major at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, and she is from Tallapoosa, Georgia. Her expected graduation date is December 2025.

“This summer, I am looking forward to developing my career as an agricultural communicator, learning more about forestry, and networking with professionals in the industry,” Layla said. “Working alongside GFA, I believe I can learn how to effectively communicate how important the forestry industry is, and properly advocate for it.”

☀️ It’s summer, which means that we have some new faces at GFA as a part of our Internship Program. Please join us in welcoming our new interns for this summer!

Lawson Hull is our Policy & Economics Intern, focused on researching and developing projects in support of GFA’s advocacy efforts. Lawson is a Business Management major at Georgia College & State University, and he is from Jackson, Georgia. His expected graduation date is Fall 2025.

“I am excited to gain experience working with successful business leaders as well as politicians,” Lawson said. “The practical skills I have already learned during my internship will benefit me in whatever career path I take. I plan to continue working hard this summer, and I take pride in being a part of the number one forestry in the nation."

Layla Wallace is our Communications & Marketing Intern, focused on developing content to inform our new Forestry101 educational platform. Layla is an Agricultural Communications major at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, and she is from Tallapoosa, Georgia. Her expected graduation date is December 2025.

“This summer, I am looking forward to developing my career as an agricultural communicator, learning more about forestry, and networking with professionals in the industry,” Layla said. “Working alongside GFA, I believe I can learn how to effectively communicate how important the forestry industry is, and properly advocate for it.”

🐣 EARLY BIRD DEADLINE IS NEXT WEEK (6/28)!
Enjoy a discount for this year’s conference by registering TODAY! After the deadline, the full conference rate will increase from $500 to $600.

To register and learn more about what’s waiting for you at the conference, visit the link in our bio.

🌴 GIVEAWAY! One lucky early-bird registrant will be selected at random to receive a free one-night getaway at the The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa*

YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS IT! GFA’s Annual Conference is the largest, most diverse gathering of forest landowners, investors, professionals, and forest product manufacturers in the U.S. Last year’s conference engaged more than 720 attendees with 13 expert speakers, 6 CFE credits, interactive exhibits, and networking events.

Guests are also welcome for just $250!
Virtual only option is available for just $100!

*TERMS & CONDITIONS: One night stay at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa. You must register before 11:59 PM on Friday, June 28, 2024 to be considered for the drawing.

🐣 EARLY BIRD DEADLINE IS NEXT WEEK (6/28)!
Enjoy a discount for this year’s conference by registering TODAY! After the deadline, the full conference rate will increase from $500 to $600.

To register and learn more about what’s waiting for you at the conference, visit https://gfagrow.org/annualconference/registration/

🌴 GIVEAWAY! One lucky early-bird registrant will be selected at random to receive a free one-night getaway at the The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa*

YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS IT! GFA’s Annual Conference is the largest, most diverse gathering of forest landowners, investors, professionals, and forest product manufacturers in the U.S. Last year’s conference engaged more than 720 attendees with 13 expert speakers, 6 CFE credits, interactive exhibits, and networking events.

Guests are also welcome for just $250!
Virtual only option is available for just $100!

*TERMS & CONDITIONS: One night stay at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa. You must register before 11:59 PM on Friday, June 28, 2024 to be considered for the drawing.

GEORGIA’S ECONOMY RUNS ON TREES

The “Economic Benefits of the Forest Industry in Georgia” report, administered by the Georgia Forestry Commission and published by the Georgia Tech, demonstrates the growing success of Georgia’s timber industry.

🚀 In 2022, analysis showed market growth with $42 billion in total economic output, 140,787 direct and indirect jobs, and $9.1 billion in compensation.

👷🏾 Some of the highlighted successes include an impressive 44% forestry related jobs supported by just three Georgia commissions (Atlanta Regional, South Georgia, and the Southwest Georgia Commission), and the impact of the paper and pulp industry accounting for 54% of the direct revenue output, 36% of employment, and 45% of compensation.

🌲 These statistics and more continue to demonstrate the power behind planting, growing, and harvesting trees. By investing in innovation to address the needs of an ever-changing market, Georgia’s timber industry continues to lead as the !

GEORGIA'S ECONOMY RUNS ON TREES

The “Economic Benefits of the Forest Industry in Georgia” report, administered by the Georgia Forestry Commission and published by the Georgia Tech, demonstrates the growing success of Georgia’s timber industry.

🚀 In 2022, analysis showed an increasing market with $42 billion in total economic output, 140,787 direct and indirect jobs, and $9.1 billion in compensation.

👷🏾 Some of the highlighted successes include an impressive 44% forestry related jobs supported by just three Georgia commissions (Atlanta Regional, South Georgia, and the Southwest Georgia Commission) and the impact of the paper and pulp industry accounting for 54% of the direct revenue output, 36% of employment, and 45% of compensation.

🌲 These statistics and more continue to demonstrate the power behind planting, growing, and harvesting trees. By repeating this cycle and improving upon the needs of an ever-changing market, Georgia’s timber industry continues to lead as the hashtag !

hashtag hashtag

See report highlights here: https://t.ly/9FBXo, and the complete report here: https://t.ly/yzuD4.

We are excited to be expanding our Membership team with the recent addition of Dillon Hendrix as Director of Membership!

Why this matters: A strong membership program means that our advocacy and outreach efforts are stronger because we are connected in a deeper way to the network supporting Georgia’s $41 billion forestry sector.

For more information on Dillon and how you can connect with him, visit: https://gfagrow.org/gfa-welcomes-dillon-hendrix-as-membership-director/

Join us for our First Annual Agribusiness Clay Shoot on Friday, April 28th at Meadows Clay Sports in Forsyth, GA.

We have a limited number of Sponsorship Opportunities still available.
Sponsorship Opportunities include:
-Platinum Sponsor - $2,500
-Gold Sponsor - $1,500
-Team Sponsor - $700
-Station Sponsor - $300
-Individual Sponsor - $175
To register for a sponsorship, please use the link below. If you are unable to attend, but still wish to sponsor the event, please fill out the registration form through the link below.

Please complete registration by April 17th through the link below if you wish to attend:

https://connect.computility.com/f/fid.php?id=42a54b5a48ce754be7b73b0e19e56628

**Contact Rebekah McDowell for questions/more information at (706) 336-6830 or [email protected]

GFA recently connected with members of the House Natural Resources Committee to tour the beautiful 619 Ponce, Georgia's first locally grown mass timber building, next to the iconic Ponce City Market!

🌲 We are grateful for the support of the committee in developing policy that has forged a path for the mass timber movement across the state. Healthy markets for forest products, like mass timber, have the capacity to transform our skylines while supporting jobs and rural communities across Georgia.

Special thanks to Chairman Lynn Smith and our partners at Jamestown and Ponce City Market for making this event possible. To learn more about 619 Ponce's story visit seedlingtosolutions.org (or click the link in our bio)!

Ponce City Market
Jamestown L.P.
State Rep. Lynn Smith
Rep. John Corbett
Robert Dickey
Lauren McDonald for State House
James Burchett
Debbie Buckner for Georgia House
Georgia House of Representatives

GFA Landowner Member Heather Brasell of Berrien County was recently recognized by the Georgia House of Representatives for her achievement as the 2023 National Tree Farmer of the Year by the American Tree Farm System and the American Forest Foundation!

We are thankful for Rep. Penny Houston and Speaker of the House Jon Burns for recognizing Heather for her stewardship and community education efforts at the Gaskins Forest Education Center.

Learn more about Heather’s award at: https://gfagrow.org/georgia-landowner-named-the-2023-outstanding-tree-farmer-of-the-year/

If you would like more information on the Tree Farm Program, visit: https://www.treefarmsystem.org/georgia

🌲🌳 Forestry Day at the Capitol was a huge success! More than 150 GFA Members gathered in Atlanta this week to connect with forestry experts and political leaders to discuss policies that are helping to keep Georgia the No. 1 Forestry State in the Nation.

From mass timber and creative packaging to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and lignin-based EV batteries, our sector is positioned to provide solutions to our state and nation’s greatest challenges. We are incredibly thankful for the support of members of the state legislators and elected officials, including Governor Brian Kemp, Lt. Governor Burt Jones, Speaker of the House Jon Burns, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, and Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner John King.

Thank you you for coming!

Thank you for your leadership and support Lt. Governor Burt Jones!

GFA was saddened to hear of the recent passing of Rep. Richard Smith of Columbus. A true statesman and supporter of our state's working forests, Rep. Smith was a steady leader in the House, serving as Rules Chairman for 20 years.

Richard Royal, GFA Tax Policy Advisor and Former State House Member, said, "Chairman Smith and I formed a special bond years ago since we shared a common name. I had served in the House for a number of years when he was first elected, and we immediately formed a lasting friendship. We had a mutual respect for each other which continued throughout our careers. Chairman Smith was totally committed to his constituents and to his colleagues in the Georgia House. He will be greatly missed, and I have lost a dear friend!"

On Friday, GFA leadership was thankful for the opportunity to meet with Lt. Governor Burt Jones, State Senator John Kennedy and Sen. Sam Watson (Sam Watson for State Senate) to discuss the upcoming 2024 Session of the Georgia General Assembly and policies important to forestry communities across the state.

GFA President & CEO Andres Villegas presented forestry economic data highlighting challenges and opportunities to timber and forest products markets here in Georgia.

“We are thankful for Lt. Governor Burt Jones’ leadership and the dedication of our forestry champions in the Senate to listen to the concerns from forest landowners, foresters, loggers and forest product businesses across the state,” Villegas said. “We look forward to working together on policy that protects private property rights and encourages sensible taxes and regulation while developing new markets for forest products.”

Great to spend some time with Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper yesterday on his family’s farm in Ocilla! Be on the lookout for this feature in the Legislative Issue of Georgia Forestry Magazine.

GFA recently connected with several Democratic Leaders in the State House and Senate to discuss the significance of working forests and forest products to our state and the stewardship from GFA members that has resulted in Georgia's status as the No. 1 Forestry State in the Nation!

🌲💪🏼 Thanks to our partnership with Jamestown L.P. and Ponce City Market, they got to experience firsthand 619 Ponce, Georgia's first locally grown mass timber building! To learn more about 619 Ponce's story visit seedlingtosolutions.org

Special thanks to all our members and attendees for making this a great event!

Debbie Buckner for Georgia House
Derrick Jackson
Gloria Butler for Senate District 55
Reelect Patty James-Bentley For Georgia House District 139
Spencer Frye

Mark your calendar for the upcoming Regional Meetings
To RSVP visit gfagrow.org/regionalmeetings

🌲Oct. 12 - Appling, GA
🌲Oct. 19 - Valdosta, GA
🌲Oct. 26 - Albany, GA
🌲Nov. 2 - Carrollton, GA

Each year, the Georgia Forestry Association's highest honor — the Wise Owl Award — is given to a member who has demonstrated life-long support and leadership to advancing Georgia's working forests, forest product industries and the benefits they provide.

This year, GFA recognized Joe Hopkins, a family forest landowner from Folkston, Georgia, as the 2023 Wise Owl for his tireless dedication to championing healthy markets for forest products, private property rights for forest landowners and sensible taxes and regulations. Through his service to GFA as Past Chairman and Board Member, Joe has provided countless hours in support of policy development and advocacy, testifying before the Georgia General Assembly and U.S. Congress.

"Georgia is nationally and globally recognized as a leader in forestry thanks to the stewardship and advocacy of GFA members like Joe Hopkins," GFA President Andres Villegas said. "Our Association has benefited greatly from Joe's thought leadership on issues critical to the entire forestry community."

Please join us in congratulating Joe, his wife Julie and the entire Hopkins family for this well deserved award!

GFA members and staff recently met with several members of Georgia's Congressional Delegation as a part of the Forest Resources Association’s Washington D.C. Fly-In.

We greatly appreciate the time spent with Senator Jon Ossoff, Congressman Sanford Bishop, Congressman Rick Allen, Congressman Drew Ferguson, Congressman Buddy Carter, Congressman David Scott and Congressman Mike Collins. We are thankful that through their representation of Georgia, they are also key champions for forest policy on The Hill.

Learn how you can become a forestry champion at the local, state and federal level by signing up as a part of our FORT at https://gfagrow.org/grow/forest-resource-teams/

Georgia has been ranked as the No. 1 State for Business for the 10th consecutive year! There is no question that Georgia's leadership and investment in creating a strong business environment has supported our state's $41.3 billion forestry sector, making Georgia the No. 1 Forestry State in the Nation.

Building a strong business environment requires intentional, consistent and strategic coordination across multiple sectors. We are thankful for the state and federal political leadership that has recognized the importance of private property rights, sensible taxes and regulation and healthy markets for forest products.

Also, key to the success of our forests is the support that is provided to forest landowners across the state by our Georgia Forestry Commission — protecting forestland investments from the threats of wildfire, pests and disease. We are also proud of the academic institutions at the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources , Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and TCSG - Technical College System of Georgia who are training the next generation of forestry leaders. They are supported by world-class research institutions at The Jones Center at Ichauway and Tall Timbers, a Research Station & Land Conservancy. In addition, the Georgia Ports Authority investments in the Ports of Savannah and Brunswick have made it possible for forestry businesses to be globally competitive.

We are thankful for all the people and the organizations who have come together to allow GFA member landowners, loggers, foresters and manufacturers to sustain our state's 22 million acres of working forests and the benefits they provide through clean air, fresh water, rich biodiversity and more than 5,000 sustainable forest products.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/48QX54g

Mark your calendar for the upcoming Regional Meetings
To RSVP visit gfagrow.org/regionalmeetings

🌲Oct. 12 - Appling, GA
🌲Oct. 19 - Valdosta, GA
🌲Oct. 26 - Albany, GA
🌲Nov. 2 - Carrollton, GA

Georgia Forestry Commission
University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources