Michigan Association of Timbermen

10/08/2026

The Michigan Association of Timbermen was proud to join over 500 students in Iron County for a field day near Iron River this past Monday! Thanks to member Brock VanOss from VanOss Forestry Services, LLC for doing so much of the legwork for the event, and to Connor Sports for sponsoring the event! We'll share more photos and information on our experience in the next few days!

The day centered around Crystal Falls-based Connor Sports. Connor Sports is currently preparing 18 new basketball courts for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in March 2027.

Learn what students from Iron and Dickinson counties got to experience at the full story in the comments 🔗⬇️

10/07/2026

We are excited to welcome back Ebels Hardware as a Timbermen's member! Ebels Hardware specializes in outdoor power equipment, hardware, and fi****ms. The store, dating back to 1927, is located in Falmouth, Michigan, right in the center of northern lower Michigan.

Ebels carries LS Tractor with tractors from 23-100 horsepower, Michigan's most complete lineup of Husqvarna power equipment, Intimidator UTVs, Spartan mowers, and ECHO brand trimmers and chainsaws.

"Ebels Hardware can provide you with the latest and best in outdoor power products to make your outdoor living more enjoyable. We service everything we sell and more. Call (231) 826-3334 today to see if we have the equipment and parts you need."

October 5-10 2026 our Husqvarna Chainsaws will be on sale!!!!
Give us a call if you have any questions!!
231-826-3334

10/06/2026

Last week, the Michigan Association of Timbermen, along with the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association, Michigan Farm Bureau, and many other associations, sent a joint letter requesting Governor Gretchen Whitmer to declare a State of Energy Emergency and temporarily remove restrictions on dyed diesel use, which would save 77 cents a gallon in combined state and federal fuel taxes.

Yesterday, President Trump signed an executive order offering federal tax relief and removing federal penalties on dyed diesel. However, his "executive order does not waive state-level restrictions or penalties, said MFB Associate Legislative Counsel Justin Tomei."

“Unless a separate state action provides relief, Michigan still prohibits the use of dyed diesel on highways, which carries risks of substantial financial penalties,” he said.

The Michigan Association of Timbermen encourages Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Matt Hall - State Representative, and our other elected officials to come together with a state level solution that would offer relief for our forest and agriculture trucking companies.

The White House is lifting certain diesel fuel tax payment obligations for roadways that could save farmers roughly $640 million in state and federal savings across 224.6 million acres — or $100 per

10/06/2026

We're with 40 loggers at a Sustainable Forestry Initiative training in Ga***rd this morning, hosted at Northern Energy's headquarters!

Loggers provided feedback on a presentation from Kirtland Community College regarding workforce development efforts and programs.

They also discussed upcoming continuing education courses for 2027, identifying topics that would be the most pertinent considering the state of the economy and market challenges.

Northern Energy staff provided a course on best practices related to machine maintenance and lubrication.

Finally, Susan Metcalfe with www.metcalfeforestry.com provided a detailed session on timber taxes and how loggers can dial in on their tax filings.

10/05/2026

https://epaper.ogdennews.com/books/GL-Logging-September-2026LOW/

The Daily Press, Escanaba, MI's fall Great Lakes Logging magazine is out, with an excellent article on our own member, Gerry Grossman, who has begun his term as President of the Association of Consulting Foresters! We will share more on that story soon!

10/04/2026

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources's October forest marketing and utilization newsletter is out. Topics include new online payment options for DNR timber sales; comment period information for the Forest Management Plan, and discussion on diesel prices and tariffs.

Forest Marketing and Utilization Newsletter, October 2026 Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 10/02/2026 11:01 AM EDT Share or view as webpage | Update preferences Forest Utilization and Marketing Newsletter Visit us on the web at Michigan.gov/UCF This quarterly newsletter...

10/01/2026

https://www.michigantimbermen.com/post/michigan-forest-and-agriculture-industries-join-together-to-request-temporary-fuel-relief

Michigan’s forest products and agriculture industries are coming together to request Governor Gretchen Whitmer consider fuel relief by issuing a "State of Energy Emergency Declaration and Temporary Dyed Diesel Relief for Michigan's Forest Products and Agriculture Industry."

Fuel costs are putting real pressure on the businesses that harvest and haul Michigan’s forest products. 20 major industry organizations — including the Michigan Association of Timbermen, Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association, Michigan Farm Bureau and Michigan Agri-Business Association — are joining together to ask Governor Whitmer for a temporary 90-day fuel relief measure for eligible agricultural and forestry trucks.

The proposal would allow qualifying trucks to use dyed diesel, providing immediate relief by allowing businesses to use fuel already commonly purchased for their off-road equipment. The proposal would not require the creation of a new government program or a new spending program. The primary cost to the state would be the motor fuel tax revenue forgone during the temporary period.

Read the full story and see the letters sent to the Governor below.

LANSING, Michigan — September 30, 2026 — Four major organizations representing Michigan’s agricultural, agribusiness, logging and forest products industries are joining together to request temporary fuel relief as producers face unusually high diesel costs.The Michigan Association of Timbermen...

09/30/2026

Welcome new member Wayne Firewood and Tree, located in the Detroit metro area, just 25 miles east of downtown Detroit!

Owner Vince McFarlin sent in a promo video he made, showing he and his kids hard at work.

He wrote,

"Wayne Firewood & Tree is a small local business I started here in Wayne. Right now I mainly focus on firewood, but I’m also continuing to grow the tree-service side of the business.

I’ve always enjoyed working outdoors and working with wood, and I really like being able to provide something useful to people in the community. My goal is pretty simple: provide good quality firewood, be fair with people, show up when I say I will, and keep growing the business the right way.

I joined the Michigan Association of Timbermen because I want to learn more about the industry, meet other people doing this kind of work, and make sure I’m building the business on a solid foundation."

We're excited to welcome Wayne Firewood & Tree as a new member. If you're in the Detroit area, make sure to reach out and show your support!

09/28/2026

Awesome work St. John Forest Products of Spalding, MI! They hosted a field day for students in their area in partnership with Ponsse North America. It's great to see our industry investing in the next generation, even when times are tough.

09/25/2026

Michigan diesel prices have jumped 84% in just one year. What does that mean for our logging industry?

A new September 2026 report from the Forest Resources Association estimates that rising diesel prices are adding more than $920 million annually to the cost of transporting raw forest products nationwide.

Here in Michigan, diesel prices have climbed from $3.70 to $6.81 per gallon. With transportation accounting for as much as 60% of operating costs in some timber operations, these increases place unbearable pressure on loggers, truckers and mills.

The report also examines the potential for temporary fuel-tax relief and its impact on the forest products industry.

Read the full FRA report:

Download the PDF of this Technical Release to Click on the Resource Links 26_TR_24_Update on Impact of Skyrocketing Fuel PricesDownload…