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Congress, secure the future of our forests with the next farm bill


Fall is upon us, and as the leaves begin to fall from the trees, most people would consider this the “end of the season.” Time to finish up loose ends, put the tools back in the shed and wait for spring. 

But not for family forest owners. 

Owning forestland is like any other small business or farm. It’s not seasonal. There is year-round maintenance — clearing roads, thinning overgrown stands, cleaning up debris — as well as annual expenses and challenges that must be dealt with.

{mosads}While many might think family forest owner only applies to a small fraction of the country, in reality, one in four rural Americans is a family forest owner. Collectively they own the largest portion of forests across the United States. 

 

What’s more, the efforts of these individuals plays an integral role in our environment and in sustaining America’s rural economies. Their forests provide more than 50 percent of the nation’s wood supply. They also supply drinking water for millions of Americans, and provide habitat for our wildlife, including at-risk species.

But our forests are facing growing challenges — wildfire, drought and insects, as well as the growing costs of forest management and the outward spread of development. While forest owners do, and will, continue to put in their own sweat, equity and resources to keep their land healthy, policies that remove barriers for landowners, or incentivize sustainable management, can dramatically help these landowners, and ultimately the resources they provide.

That is why, more than 80 family forest owners and forest advocates were in Washington D.C. this week, attending meetings with their members of Congress. These individuals will share their stories and advocate for programs, particularly in the 2018 farm bill, that provide them the support they need to overcome barriers and conduct conservation practices that have benefits that go far beyond their properties — to all Americans.

Specifically, forest owners are asking Congress to support these areas: 

Congress has made a lot of progress in previous farm bills to help family forest owners. Family forest owners are excited to work with Congress to expand on this work, so the clean water and air, wildlife habitat, wood products and recreation these owners provide, can continue.

Tom Martin is the president and CEO of the American Forest Foundation, which works with families, partners and elected officials to promote forest stewardship and protect our nation’s forest heritage.