Minding the Forest

Send us Fan Mail Forestry Extension Agent Keith Hawkins of DeRidder has done much with prescribed fire and helping connect landowners with training to become certified in prescribed burning. He also has had a hand in the development of Prescribed Burning Associations, which is just getting off the ground in Louisiana. What are the benefits of prescribed fire? How does becoming a certified prescrib...

Send us Fan Mail New wood-using facilities coming to Louisiana will be a great impact on rural areas. Listen to Dr. Joe Chang, a professor at LSU talks about Forestry  Economics and his work at the state's flagship university. 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 jzeringue@laforestry...

Send us Fan Mail Some successes for loggers and others in the forest products industry. LFA Executive Director Buck Vandersteen talks about how the Louisiana Legislature Regular Session 2022. 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 jzeringue@laforestry.com . If you want to find out more abou...

Send us Fan Mail This year is the 75th anniversary of the Louisiana Forestry, and who better to talk about this exciting event than Michael Crowell, president of Crowell Forest Resources, a fifth-generation owner. We talk about the event set for Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at the Golden Nugget Hotel Casino & Resort in Lake Charles. Want to learn more and register, go to our website. Register for 75th annu...

Send us Fan Mail Paul Stone is a conservation forester for Crobsy Land and Resources and chairman of the Endangered Species Committee for LFA. Paul talks about what the ESA means to Louisiana and some of the things landowners should keep in mind when managing for wildlife that could include endangered species. Minding the Forest is a podcast of the Louisiana Forestry Association and his hosted by...

Send us Fan Mail Louisiana Forestry Association Executive Director Buck Vandersteen talks about the next regular session of the Louisiana Legislature. Vandersteen also has a Legislative Report that is sent via email. LFA members can sign up to receive the the report by calling the LFA office at 318-443-2558 or by sending an email to lfa@laforestry.com . Minding the Forest is a podcast of the Louis...

Send us Fan Mail Troy Mallach is the state biologist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Louisiana (NRCS) who assists with helping forest landowners develop management plans that enhance habitat for wildlife.  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 jzeringue@laforestry.com . I...

Send us Fan Mail Lisa Delaney launched Seeds4Trees in 2021 as a way to teach students in elementary and middle schoolers about where seeds come from in various species of trees. The project can be used at almost any level of school and provide projects for various subjects. For more information, email her at info@seeds4trees.org. Minding the Forest is a podcast of the Louisiana Forestry Associatio...

Send us Fan Mail Richie LeBlanc is the president and CEO of Hunt Forest Products and LaSalle Lumber. The family-owned business is embarking on a second endeavor with Tolko Industries, a Canadian company. The partnership gave birth to LaSalle Lumber in Urania, a state-of-the-art lumber mill that is a model for the new mill to be built in Taylor, Louisiana. LeBlanc talks about the company and its pa...

Send us Fan Mail Robbie Hutchins is a forestry and wildlife agent for the LSU AgCenter, which helps educate landowners about their forested land and many other things.  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 jzeringue@laforestry.com . If you want to find out more about the Sustainable Fores...

Send us Fan Mail 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 Medi...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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? Al...

Send us Fan Mail 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 hi...

Send us Fan Mail 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 mone...

Send us Fan Mail 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 mone...

Send us Fan Mail 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 b...

Send us Fan Mail 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 jzeringue@laforestry.com . If you...

Send us Fan Mail 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 be...

Send us Fan Mail 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 jzeringue@laforestry.com . If you want to find out more about the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), go to forests.or...