2010 Conference discount deadline approaching

Just a quick update and some reminders, as we make final preparations for MFA’s Annual Conference, November 5&6 at the Gaylord National in Prince George’s County. This year we are focusing on Maryland’s Working Woodlands.

Managing even a few acres of woodland is good for people, wildlife and waterways ~ from the mountains of western Maryland to the Chesapeake Bay. Attend this year’s MFA Conference to learn how to keep your woodland healthy and productive, and what resources are available to help you. CE credits for loggers, foresters and arborists. Full details and the registration brochure are online at http://mdforests.org/AM2010.htm

MFA’s EARLY BIRD discount deadline is September 20^th to save $20 off your conference registration fees. All events require pre-registration. Final date to register is October 22nd.

The incredible group rate we are getting at the Gaylord of $149 per night (single / double occupancy) is only good through October 6th. Reserve your room at this 4-diamond hotel by calling the Gaylord at 301-965-2000 to receive the group rate and ensure MFA of meeting its contract obligations. Group room rate also available 3 days prior and after the conference. There is so much to see and do at the Gaylord and in National Harbor ~ Bring the family!

If you have any questions, please call the MFA Office at 301-895-5369 or send an email to director@mdforests.org

EXPO RICHMOND 2010

32nd East Coast Sawmill and Logging Equipment Exposition,
Friday, May 21st and Saturday, May 22nd 2010
Richmond Raceway Complex in Richmond, Virginia.

EXPO RICHMOND 2010 will be the year's largest showcase of sawmill, portable sawmill, dry kiln, firewood processor, logging/harvesting, pallet manufacturing/recycling, trucks/trailers and related machinery and equipment, supplies, softwear and services in the Eastern United States. With over 12 acres of outdoor exhibit space and hundreds of indoor booths, The Richmond Show provides over one-half million square feet for active equipment demonstrations, exhibits and static displays. It will be the most comprehensive, all-encompassing forest products industry exposition of the year.

Attendees have the opportunity to compare their current equipment to the latest state-of-the-art, most technologically advanced equipment on the market. The extensive amount of equipment displayed, along with active product and machinery demonstrations both indoors and outdoors, provide the unique "hands-on" aspect of the Richmond show.

The exposition is co-sponsored by the Virginia Forest Products Association and the Cooperative Extension Service at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Attendee pre-registration forms will be available in early 2010 in trade publications and direct-mail forms from the exposition office. On-line registration will also be available in early 2010. There will be no charge for any forest products industry member who pre-registers, and a small fee will be collected from on-site registrants.

For more information on attending or exhibiting in EXPO RICHMOND 2010, please contact:

Mike Washko, Exposition Manager
EXPO RICHMOND 2010
PO Box 160, Sandston, VA 23150-0160
Telephone: (804) 737-5625, Fax: (804) 737-9437
info@exporichmond.com

2009 Conference Exhibitors

ACM Forestry Program

Appalachian Mountains Woodcook Initiative

Community Woodlands Alliance

Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc

MARBIDCO

Maryland Chapter of American Chestnut Foundation

Maryland Environmental Trust

MD/DE Master Logger Program

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Outdoor Underwriters

Society of American Foresters (SAF) MD/DE Division

The Nature Conservancy

U of MD Cooperative Extension Service

Thank you to the following for making MFA's 33rd Annual Conference such a success!

Forest Tour of Evergreen Estates

Janice Keene and Family

logger Matt Diehl

forester Dan Hedderick
Carl W. Neutzel Equipment Services
ACM ~ bus transportation

2009 Annual Conference Speakers

Keynote Presentation
Richard Pawling ~ History's Alive!

Saturday Educational Sessions
Session I
Bill Imbergamo , Valerie Connelly , Chris Holmes
Session II
Ken Roberts , Mike Schofield , Dylan Jenkins
Session III
Dan Hedderick , Collin Miller , Jim Howell
Session Moderators
Bob Eaton , Donnelle Keech , John Jastrzembski

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Tim Smith - The Mill
providing Canvasback Drake decoys for speaker gifts

Dick & Bobbie Stanfield - Edrich Lumber
Hospitality Hosts and centerpieces

Atlantic Tractor
Chainsaw Safety Chaps and Helmet System
for MFA Logger of the Year

Annual Conference Program Committee
Dan Hedderick , Donnelle Keech , John Jastrzembski
plus
AV Coordinator - Steve Resh
Exhibit Coordinator - Donnelle Keech
Silent Auction Coordinator - Bob Shives
Registration Desk - Bobbie Stanfield and Lynn Holmes

Logistics - Karin Miller, MFA Executive Director

Space still available for Friday afternoon field tour on Forest Operations at Evergreen Estates

As part of MFA 2009 Annual Conference

Friday ~ October 30th ~ 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Bus leaves Rocky Gap Lodge at 1 pm
Limited to 50 people / $5 registration fee
CFE and CE Credits awarded

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

The Evergreen Heritage Center will provide a unique experience with an overview of their education center and the outdoor classroom, plus the opportunity to tour local history through the eyes of the Keene family. The field tour includes a "green" small scale logging demonstration with local logger Matt Diehl & forester Dan Hedderick.

The Evergreen Heritage Center (Evergreen), located on 130 acres of "Federal Hill" in Allegany County, is an historic Maryland estate that pre-dates the Revolutionary War. Evergreen includes the Trimble family's ancestral home (now a museum), beautifully landscaped grounds, forest and streams, all in a scenic location adjacent to the Great Allegheny Passage and Western Maryland Scenic Railway. In 1976, Evergreen was recognized by the Maryland Historical
Trust and added to its inventory of historical properties. Two generations later, in 1993, the descendent landowners converted the family's ancestral farmhouse to a museum, displaying over 200 years of antiques, artifacts, and historical deeds and documents. (CLICK ON PHOTO TO GO TO EVERGREEN WEBSITE)

Evergreen also contains 115 acres of forest that have been managed per Maryland forestry guidelines since 1949. In 1984, Evergreen adopted a Forest Conservation Management Agreement, and in 1986 was named MD Tree Farm of the Year. Due to environmentally friendly tree harvesting methods used at Evergreen, the DNR frequently utilizes the Evergreen forest to conduct demonstrations on responsible logging for landowners considering timber
harvesting on small lots.

Registration due by Sept 28 ~ 2009 State of Maryland Forestry Summit.

The Center for Agro-Ecology, along with the Maryland Forests Association and other members of Maryland's forestry and environmental communities will be hosting the 2009 State of Maryland Forestry Summit. The link will take you to a pdf of registration brochure and Summit agenda.

The Summit is scheduled for Monday, October 5, 2009
at the Maritime Institute for Technology in Linthicum, MD.

Registrations will be accepted through September 28, 2009.

Background: Leading up to The Summit, this spring 155 leaders and stakeholders were invited to answer a survey that was used to spark the discussion in the 5 listening sessions that were then held across the State to discuss how can we best focus limited resources on the most important issues facing forestry and what recommendations should be made to refine existing State policy and to position Maryland for new non-traditional markets for environmental services.

Throughout the day, participants will have ample time to visit with exhibitors all of whom will have displays that pertain to the issues discussed at the Summit.

Master Logger Continuing Education Credits Available

Cost for the day long program including lunch is $25 per person. To register, please complete the registration page and return. No refunds will be issued. For additional information, visit the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology’s website: www.agroecol.umd.edu or call Nancy Nunn at (410) 827-8056, ext. 128.

Sponsoring Organizations:
The Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc., The Biophilia Foundation, Chesapeake Bay Program, Chesapeake Bay Trust, The Conservation Fund, Department of Natural Re-sources Forest Service, Forest Industry, Maryland Forest Association, The Nature Conser-vancy, The Pinchot Institute, Town Creek Foundation, University of Maryland Extension Special Thanks to our financial sponsors: The Biophilia Foundation, Chesapeake Bay Trust, Maryland Agriculture Council and Town Creek Foundation.

Handheld GPS & Terrain Navigator Computer Workshops Offered

Handheld GPS receivers are a great resource for landowners, natural resource professionals, and other outdoor recreationalists. Current GPS units are accurate (+/- 15 feet) and can be used for marking hunting locations, structures, streams, your vehicle location, as well as for fun activities such as geocaching. Professional natural resource managers can save valuable field time by using GPS with a computer to locate inventory plots, access roads, outline timber sale and property boundaries, direct customers to sale locations, and much more.

The University of Maryland Cooperative Extension is again offering a series of fall workshops for Beginner GPS Training to teach those interested in learning how to use GPS handheld receivers with a computer, with specific applications to forestry and logging uses. The workshop provides a Garmin GPS MAP76CSx unit for each participant to use as well as a laptop computer. The daylong workshop uses both classroom and field instruction. The skills learned can be applied to a GPS handheld you may have purchased. The workshop will provide the basics of using a GPS receiver, as well as: marking waypoints, creating routes, entering and finding coordinates, determining acreage of a site, incorporating coordinates into timber sale bids, locating roads, stream crossings, points of interest, downloading and uploading data to a computer (laptops provided), computer software options, and comparing different GPS handheld units.

A second one-day workshop is being offered on the use of Terrain Navigator (TN) software that provides digital USGS topographic maps that are stored on your computer. The software allows you to create GPS waypoints, routes and tracks and transfer them to a GPS unit or to download GPS information taken in the field and then create a individualized computer map of the area you are working. The most recent upgrade of TN is now fully integrated with Google Maps, which greatly enhances its utility. This is very useful for natural resource professionals and landowners as well. More information on Terrain Navigator can be found at: http://maptech.mytopo.com .

Workshops are offered at the Western Maryland and Wye Research & Education Centers. Workshops run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the cost is $55. GPS units and laptops are available for use. The training manual for both courses are available free online for your use at www.naturalresources.umd.edu . Workshops are being offered at the following locations:

Location: Western Maryland Research & Education Center
18330 Keedysville Road
Keedysville, MD 21756 (near Hagerstown, MD)

Contact Pam Thomas (pthomas@umd.edu)
301-432-2767 x315

• October 27 – Beginner GPS Training
• October 29 – Integrating Terrain Navigator and GPS: An Affordable, Easy-to-Use System

Location: Wye Research & Education Center
124 Wye Narrows Drive
Queenstown, MD 21658 (Maryland’s Eastern Shore)
Contact Carol Taylor (carolt@umd.edu)
410-827-8056

• November 3 – Beginner GPS Training
• November 5 – Integrating Terrain Navigator and GPS: An Affordable, Easy-to-Use System
• November 10 (tentative) – Beginner GPS Training
  (Being held at University of Maryland, College Park)

For more information about the GPS and Terrain Navigator training, please visit::

http://www.naturalresources.umd.edu/EducationalGPS.html

2009 National Forest Landowner Advocacy Day

October 20, 2009 Washington, DC

All Private Forest Landowners Welcome!

Join the Forest Landowners Association and your fellow private forest landowners in Washington, DC to lobby Congress on behalf of American private forestland.

Many issues such as Renewable Energy, Estate Tax and Environmental Regulation are being legislated by Congress this year! Now is a critical time for America’s private forest landowners to make their voices heard!

Cost: Free to FLA members and children ages 16 and under

$50 for non-members (includes one year membership to FLA)

Schedule: Tuesday, October 20

• 7:30 am - 9:00 am Breakfast and briefing session hosted by FLA.
  
• 9:30 am - 5:00 pm Lobbying on the hill. Meetings scheduled by FLA. Lunch hosted by FLA.
  
• 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Landowner debriefing session/discussion.
• 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Reception at the Capitol featuring VIP speakers.

What am I required to wear?

No dress code required. Dress casual. Dress formal. Whatever makes you most comfortable. The most important thing is to come and make your voice heard.

Do I need to be an expert on the issues?

No, you only need to care about the protection and enhancement of America’s private forestland. FLA will brief all participants on the important issues during breakfast. You will be grouped with members of your community and led by a group leader to visit members of Congress from your state and region.

Can I bring my children so they can see the political process first hand?

Absolutely! Your children are the next generation of American private forest landowners.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Brendan Davis at

(800) 325-2954 or bdavis@forestlandowners.com

download pdf about event here

Upcoming Webinar: Understanding Landowner Liability and Recreational Access

September 10, 2009—12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Registration Required

Many landowners are confused about their liability for hunters and other recreationalists that use their property. Concerned private landowners increasingly face questions such as:

• What are my rights, and how do I exercise them to control recreational use of my property?
• What is the extent of my liability to recreationalists, and how can I protect myself against liability suits?
• What are my options for posting my land and controlling trespass by recreationalists?
• How do these options affect my liability?
• How do I charge for recreational access and still provide liability protection?
• What do I do if someone takes timber from my property without permission?

The answers to these questions can be complicated. However, it is very helpful for landowners to understand the laws related to landowner liability and trespass, and the safeguards that minimize liability so you can make informed decisions regarding the use of your land by others for recreational activities.

This one hour webinar being offered free of charge at 12 noon on September 10 will explain the Maryland Annotated Code in a way that you can understand and apply it to common situations faced by landowner and recreationalists. The intention is to suggest easy and (usually) inexpensive methods by which landowners can protect themselves. The speaker for the webinar is Jonathan Kays, Natural Resources Specialist with the University of Maryland Extension. He is the author of recently revised publication entitled, Recreational Access and Landowner Liability, (Bulletin EB357). The 37-page publication will provide a valuable reference for those attending the webinar or for those that just want to read on their own. It is available free for download at http://extension.umd.edu/publications/PDFs/EB357.pdf.

There is no charge for participation, but registration is required. An Email communication with webinar details (website address) will only be sent to people who have registered. Connection details are sent about two days before the webinar. You can register up until about 2 hours before the conference begins. To register for the webinar, contact Pam Thomas at pthomas@umd.edu or 301-432-2767 x315.

Maryland Woodland Stewards Training

Since 1990, 389 people owning over 68,000 acres have been trained through this program. Maryland Woodland Stewards across the state have reached out to thousands of Marylanders with information and resources to encourage sound forest and wildlife stewardship.

This year's workshop will be held September 17-20 at Camp Pecometh, north of Centreville on the Eastern Shore. The Maryland Woodland Stewards Program is looking for people who are, or have the potential to be, informal educators in their communities. If you have the desire to improve your woodland and wildlife habitat, to motivate others to manage their woodland, and can attend the three-day September seminar, you can be part of this valuable statewide network of Maryland Woodland Stewards. Nominate yourself or someone you know to participate in this year's workshop.

For more information, contact Nevin Dawson at ndawson@umd.edu or (410) 827-8056, ext. 125 and visit our Maryland Woodland Stewards page today at http://www.naturalresources.umd.edu/EducationalMWS.html

Maryland Forestry Summit

Upcoming Events
Maryland Forestry Summit ~ Monday, October 5th

This past spring, 155 leaders and stakeholders were invited to answer the survey that was used to spark the discussion in the 5 listening sessions held across the State in May and June.

For results from these listening sessions, click here

How can we best focus limited resources on the most important issues facing forestry and what recommendations should be made to refine existing State policy and to position Maryland for new non-traditional markets for environmental services?

The next step in this effort will be a summit in October. Details will be posted to the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology as they are confirmed.

Pre-registration will be required. Exhibitor opportunities are available.

Contact Nancy Nunn for details at nnunn@umd.edu

Mark your calendars now:

Maryland Forestry Summit ~ Monday, October 5, 2009

The Conference Center at The Maritime Institute
692 Maritime Blvd.
Linthicum Heights, MD 21090-1952

Sponsoring Organizations:
The Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, The Biophilia Foundation, Chesapeake Bay Program, Chesapeake Bay Trust, The Conservation Fund, Department of Natural Resources Forest Service, Forest Industry, Maryland Forest Association, The Nature Conservancy, The Pinchot Institute, Town Creek Foundation

MFA 2008 Conference Wrap-up

Dear MFA Members and Friends For those of you who joined us in Annapolis this past weekend, you already know what a wonderful event our 2008 Annual Conference was! That success is due to the support of our friends and members ~ whether it be financially or in terms of time and talents. Please help us thank all those listed below for their support. For those who were unable to join us, and for those that did, we hope you will plan now to attend next year's conference which will be October 30 & 31 at the Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort. Watch the MFA website and Crosscut for details as they become available. Send us your ideas for themes, topics and speakers for the 2009 Conference. Planning begins shortly! Contact the MFA office at mdforests@hereintown.net or 301-895-5369 Thank You to All Who Made Our Conference a Success! Annual Conference Planning Committee: Philip Gottwals (Chair), Jeff Fisher, Steve Jarvis, Karin Miller Session Moderator ~ Bob Eaton Videographer ~ Pete Miller AV Assistants ~ Steve Jarvis and Steve Resh Photographers ~ Joan Bearden and Donnell Keech Silent Auction Coordinator ~ Becky Wagner Hospitality Hosts ~ Dick and Bobbie Stanfield MFA Welcome Desk ~ Bobbie Stanfield, Lynn Holmes OUR SPEAKERS Mr. Bruce Vincent Mr.Steve Koehn Mr.Michael Goergen Mr.Bill Rodenberg Mr.Kirk Martin Mr.John Karakash Mr.Patrick Doyle Mr.Bruce Waver 2008 CONFERENCE SPONSORS GOLD CIRCLE ACDS, LLC~Columbia, MD Besley & Rodgers, Inc.~ Falls Church VA Bitmunious Insurance ~ Lutherville, MD Edrich Lumber Co. Dick and Bobbie Stanfield~ Windsor Mill MD Forest Resources Association~ Rockville MD MAR-LEN Environmental ~ Westminster MD NewPage Corp Luke Mill~ Westernport MD Paul M. Jones Lumber Co., Inc.~ Snow Hill MD Sustainable Resource Mgt. Inc ~ Davidsonville MD The Forestland Group, LLC~ Wellsboro PA The Mill~ Bel Air MD University of Md Cooperative Extension~ College Park MD USI Insurance Services~Falls Church VA SILVER CIRCLE Bowen and Kron Enterprises, Inc.~Baltimore MD C.W. Matthews & Sons~Seaford DE Egolf Forest Harvesting, Inc.~Delmar DE Ota Stevenson, Inc.~ Salisbury MD Pete Richardson Auction Sales ~ Willards MD Sisler Lumber Co.~ Mt Lake Park MD Timber Harvest, Inc. ~ Cordova MD MD Tree Farm System ~ Chesapeake Beach MD Smith-Foster Furnance Corp. ~ Queenstown MD Laws Corporation ~ Snow Hill MD BRONZE CIRCLE Borden Mining Company~ Jamestown NC Maryland Farm Bureau, Inc.~ Randallstown MD Southern MD RC&D~Waldorf MD Western Pocahontas Properties~ Huntington WV Dave and Gail Weissert~ Denton, MD Rising Sun Log Corp~ Rising Sun, MD Vision Forestry LLC~ Salisbury, MD STUDENT SPONSORS Delaware Forestry Association Delaware Tree Farm Committee Mar-Len Environmental ~ Westminster MD Chris and Lynn Holmes ~Arnold, MD Mimi Wright~ Church Creek, MD Rising Sun Log Corporation~ Rising Sun, Md Dave and Gail Weissert~ Denton, MD SILENT AUCTION DONORS Ace and Ann Parker Angela Hedderick Anonymous Bituminous Insurance David Matthews Forest Friendly Logging Forest Land Group Glatfelter Pulp Wood Company Jim Thomas MARBIDCO Mar-Len Environmental Parker Forestry Services Pete and Karin Miller Red Rock Enterprises Richard and Jakie Lewis Smith-Foster Timber Group Steve Jarvis Sustainable Resource Management Vision Forestry Commercial Exhibitors Bituminous Insurance Companies http://www.bituminousinsurance.com/ P O Box 509 Lutherville, MD 21904 800-346-5108 McLean Insurance Agency www.mcleaninsurance.com 461798 Westland Dr. Suite 300 Potomac Falls, VA 20165 703-621-3374 Yates Insurance http://yates-usa.com/ 3294 Solomons Island Road Edgewater, MD 21037 410-956-7360 I&E Exhibits (information and educational) Allegany College of Maryland - Forestry Dept. http://www.allegany.edu/careers/foresttech/ 12401 Willowbrook Road, SE Cumberland, MD 21502-2596 301-784-5307 Forestry for the Bay www.forestryforthebay.org 410 Severn Ave., Suite 209 Annapolis, MD 21403 410-267-5723 Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc. www.agroecol.umd.edu P O Box 169 Queenstown, MD 21658 410-827-8056, ext 126 MARBIDCO www.marbidco.org 1410 Forest Dr., Suite 28 Annapolis, MD 21403 410-267-6807 Maryland Association of Forest Conservancy Districk Boards http://www.mdforest.sailorsite.net/ DNR Forest Service Tawes State Office Building, E-1 Annapolis, MD 21401 410-260-8589 MD Chapter - The American Chestnut Foundation http://www.mdtacf.org/ 21900 Davis Mill Rd Germantown, MD 20876 301-916-6133 MD Tree Farm System http://www.treefarmsystem.org/ contact DNR - Forest Service 580 Taylor Avenue, E-1 Annapolis, MD 21401 410-260-8531 MD/DE Master Logger Program http://md-demasterlogger.com/ PO Box 169 124 Wye Narrows Rd. Queenstown, MD 21658 410-827-8056 ext. 125 MD/DE Society of American Foresters http://safnet.org/ 3 Pershing Street, Room 101 Cumberland, MD 21502 301-777-5835 The Nature Conservancy nature.org 321 Magruder Street Cumberland, MD 21502 301-722-0313 University of Maryland Cooperative Extension www.agnr.umd.edu 1212 Symons Hall College Park, MD 20748 301-405-7992 USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service www.md.nrcs.usda.gov 339 Busch's Frontage Road, #301 Annapolis, MD 21409 443-482-2902

National Forest Products Week, week of October 19th

October 16^th– President Bush proclaimed the week of October 19^th National Forest Products Week. During his statement, he declared his commitment to the protection of forests from harm. He also pledged to insure the responsible use of the nation's resources for future generations.

National Forest Products Week, 2008
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

White House News

During National Forest Products Week, we highlight our country's commitment to protect and wisely use America's forests for our Nation's prosperity and well-being.

Across our country, citizens rely on forest products to meet their daily needs. Our forests enable us to produce goods such as paper and furniture, provide raw materials such as lumber for homes and buildings, and offer job opportunities that bring economic security for many Americans.

My Administration is steadfast in its commitment to protect our forests from both manmade and natural harm. It is vital that we continue to make progress in conserving our natural resources and using them responsibly. Since 2002, we have worked to restore our forests and protected them against catastrophic fires as part of the Healthy Forests Initiative. Americans take great pride in our country's natural splendor, and by working together to be good stewards of the environment, we can leave our children and grandchildren a healthy and flourishing land.

Recognizing the importance of our forests in ensuring our Nation's well-being, the Congress, by Public Law 86-753 (36 U.S.C. 123), as amended, has designated the week beginning on the third Sunday in October of each year as "National Forest Products Week" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this week.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 19 through October 25, 2008, as National Forest Products Week. I call upon all Americans to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH

MFA 2008 Conference Registration deadline extended to Oct. 24

The Renewable Energy and the Role of Forests and Forestry conference will be held at the Loews Annapolis Hotel, beginning the evening of October 31st with a social and banquet with featured keynote speaker award-winning forest activist, Bruce Vincent of Libby, Montana.

Saturday's sessions begin with updates on State and National forestry issues will be given by MD State Forester Steven W. Koehn and Michael T. Goergen, Jr. Executive VP and CEO of the Society of American Foresters (SAF). Additional sessions on November 1st include The Role of Forests in Biomass Energy Production and Renewable Energy Projects for Landowners.

The conference is open to all and includes time to visit exhibits, for Q&A with the speakers, and networking with other attendees. The meeting has earned CFEs for Licensed Professional Forester and Master Loggers. Pre-registration is required. Registration deadline has been extended until October 24th

Full agenda, registration brochure, plus speaker and hotel details are on the MFA website at http://mdforests.org/AM2008.htm . For more information about the conference contact: MFA Executive Director Karin Miller, mdforests@hereintown.net or call the MFA office at 301-895-5369.

Room block deadline approaches for MFA annual conference

Annapolis Awaits!

Our conference site, the beautiful Loews Hotel Annapolis is located on West Street in the Historic District. In walking distance to quaint shops, the waterfront, the Naval Academy and much more.

Room Block deadline is October 3rd. To receive the best rate possible please contact Loews directly by October 3rd to reserve your room for our October 31-November 1st event.

Traditional Single or Double ~ $135 plus tax
Loews Annapolis Hotel
126 West Street
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Phone: (410) 263-7777

Dear MFA Members and Friends

September is speeding along, and so is the countdown to MFA's 2008 Conference on Renewable Energy and the Role of Forests and Forestry.

• Have you made your hotel reservations and sent in your conference registration? If so, forward this email to a friend with an invite to attend the conference along with you.
• If not, please don't procrastinate any longer. Deadlines are approaching quickly and we don't want you to miss out on what will be a great educational and networking opportunity.
• The conference is open to all and includes time to visit exhibits, for Q&A with the speakers, and networking with other attendees. The meeting has earned CFEs for Licensed Professional Forester and Master Loggers.

Pre-registration is required. Full agenda, registration brochure, plus speaker and hotel details are on the MFA website at http://mdforests.org/AM2008.htm

Registration deadline is October 17th

If you have any questions or concerns about the event, or special needs that need to be addressed please contact me at the MFA office at 301-895-5369 or mdforests@hereintown.net

Annapolis is beautiful in the fall. I hope to see you there!

Sincerely,
Karin Miller, Executive Director
Maryland Forests Association

Maryland Agricultural Commission Public Meeting and Tour Slated for Oct. 9 in Kent, Queen Anne’s Counties

MEETING NOTICE

ANNAPOLIS, MD (Sept. 17, 2008) – The Maryland Agricultural Commission will hold a public meeting in conjunction with its annual fall agricultural tour of Kent and Queen Anne’s counties on Thursday, October 9.

The public meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Kent County Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 400 High Street in Chestertown. (Parking will be available in rear of building on Calvert Street off Mill Street.) Anyone interested in farming and rural topics is encouraged to attend the meeting and have an opportunity to discuss issues and policy affecting agriculture and rural communities, exchange ideas, get better acquainted with the role of the Maryland Agricultural Commission, and meet the Commission members.

The Maryland Agricultural Commission is presently made up of 30 members who represent commodities and organizations across the state and serve as an advisory body to Maryland’s Secretary of Agriculture. As a group, the members address legislative and policy issues that affect Maryland agribusiness.

For further information, please call Florence Jordan or Buddy Bowling at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, 410-841-5882.

Renewable Resources and the Role of Forests and Forestry, Oct 31-Nov 1 at the Loews Hotel in historic Annapolis.

The new economics of world energy supply are driving rapid growth and innovation in biomass related fuels. Those who work at the ground level in implementing society's framework for protecting the environment are positioned at the leading edge of the changes and challenges of this discussion. MFA has invited leaders in the bio and alternative energy fields to speak on this fast changing field and to address the practical ways one can become involved charting the future of this industry in the State.

Join us, October 31 and November 1 in Annapolis!
October 17th registration deadline is quickly approaching.
Save $20 by registering by September 20th!

MFA has a terrific line up of speakers to cover topics that are of center-stage importance to Maryland's forest community, including The Role of Forests in Biomass Energy Production and Renewable Energy Projects for Landowners as well as updates on State and National issues. The agenda has plenty of time built into it for Q&A with the speakers and discussion and networking with other attendees. Loews is a great facility and ample networking breaks in the conference will give you a chance to visit exhibits. Come early and enjoy touring around the historic district of Annapolis..

"WITH VISION, THERE IS HOPE"
keynote speaker Bruce Vincent

America is ready for a new vision of conservation and environmental stewardship that is based upon hope instead of fear. In order to share this vision we must first reintroduce the American consumer to the processes and the people of production and then lead - not just fight - the discussion over our environment. Those who work at the ground level in implementing society's framework for protecting the environment are positioned at the leading edge of the changes and challenges of this discussion. That edge provides exciting opportunities and hope..

Bruce Vincent is a third generation logger from Libby, Montana Bruce helped form and is currently serving as President of Communities For A Great Northwest, Executive Director of Provider Pals and is co-owner of Environomics, Inc. Speaking throughout the United States and the world, Bruce has testified on resource issues before Congress and has appeared on several news programs such as "60 Minutes". Bruce has been named Timberman of the Year in Montana, National Forest Activist of the Year, received the Agri-Women's 2007 Veritas Award, and in 2004 received the inaugural Presidential Preserve America Award from President Bush. Bruce has been married to his wife Patti Jo for over 30 years and has four children, two sons-in-law, and one granddaughter. His current activities represent a family commitment to responsible environmentalism.

State of the State
Review of the past year and plans for the Future

Steve Koehn is the Director/State Forester at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service and he is responsible for the statewide delivery of all technical and financial forestry assistance programs on both public and private lands. Steve holds a B.S. in Forest Science from Penn State University. Steve is the former Chair of the MD/DE division of the Society of American Foresters, member of the National Association of State Foresters, Association of Consulting Foresters, of the Maryland Forests Association.

State of the Nation
Presentation on the Farm Bill and its impact on forest landowners

Michael T. Goergen Jr., is the Executive VP and CEO of the Society of American Foresters. Before serving in this leadership role, Michael was senior director of policy and programs (2001-02), director of forest policy (1999-2001), associate director of government affairs (1998-99), and Congressional liaison (1996-97). He joined SAF in 1996 after earning a master's in forestry, policy, and administration from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry-Syracuse. He holds a BS in environmental studies, policy, and management from SUNY CESF.

The Role of Forests in Biomass Energy Production

• Woody Waste as Fuel for Renewable Energy~ Bill Rodenberg, CEM Energy Management Strategies, Inc
• Cellulosic Ethanol - Fact or Fiction ~ Kirk Martin, Ascendant Partners
• Wood Energy at Community Scale - The Leadership Roles for Foresters, Landowners and Logging Professionals ~ John T. Karakash, Resource Professionals Group.

Renewable Energy Projects for Landowners

• Wind Power Basics for Forest Landowners ~ Patrick Doyle -Director of Development, Northeast Horizon Wind Energy

• Financing Small Wind Projects ~ Bruce Weaver -Business & Community Specialist, USDA Rural Development

Full agenda, speaker and hotel details are on the MFA website at http://mdforests.org/AM2008.htm

• A pdf download of the registration brochure is at http://mdforests.org/2008_MFA_Conference.pdf
• If you just want to download the registration form use http://mdforests.org/2008_Conference_reg_form.pdf

If you need further information, please contact me at the MFA office. Payment can be made by check, VISA or MasterCard. Final deadline for registration is October 17th. I

We hope to see you at the conference. You'll be glad you came!