Hardwood Federation Asks Members to Support Farm Bill

The Hardwood Federation is calling on the hardwood industry to encourage members of Congress to vote “yes” on the Agriculture Improvement Act, also known as the Farm Bill.

The Senate passed the compromise bill Dec. 11 with an 87-13 vote. The House is slated to vote on the legislation this week.

The Federation stated the bill would have a positive impact on the industry, and would include funding for USDA export promotion programs, including the Foreign Market Development Program and the Market Access Program. The bill would also include Timber Innovation Act (TIA) provisions that support research and development of tall wood building technologies; an increase in scope of the Community Wood Energy Program (CWEP), which will help create markets for hardwood sawmill residuals now accumulating at manufacturing sites, and Forest Management Reform measures.