Listen Now

On this episode of the Northern Logger Podcast, I speak with photojournalist George Bellerose, from Weybridge Vermont, about his new book Portrait of a Forest: Men and Machine. Bellerose has spent 50 years as a writer, journalist, and photographer, and the last 20 years as a photojournalist documenting the lives of everyday people. In his own words, he says that he is interested in people who are essential to community well-being but who are often overlooked or understood only superficially. Portrait of a Forest: Men and Machine embodies those beliefs. The 304-page book, published by Vermont Folklife, documents how logging has shaped Vermont and examines the economic and environmental challenges facing the forest today. The book can be purchased from The Vermont Bookshop in Middlebury, VT in-person or online. We’ll also be selling the book at the Northeastern Forest Products Equipment Expo (also known as the Logger’s Expo) in Bangor, Maine, held from May 19th to 20th. Stop by The Northern Logger booth to purchase a copy. As a listener of this month’s podcast, we’d like to offer you a discount for attending the upcoming Loggers’ Expo in Bangor. To register, go to our website – www.northernlogger.com/loggers-expo-2023/  and click on the registration link. Enter the Attendee Discount Code – POD3333 – to get 50% off the entry fee. See you at the Expo! To become a member of the Northeastern Loggers' Association or subscribe to The Northern Logger and Timber Processor magazine, visit https://www.northernlogger.com/ Magazine preview

One of the biggest challenges for forest products businesses is finding good workers and retaining them. The labor shortages across many industries in the US these last few years have made it even harder to attract and retain exceptional employees – essential to running a successful company. On this episode, five leaders in the industry share their thoughts, personal experiences, and the various things they are doing to attract and retain top-quality workers. We hear from Sam Lincoln, Brian Souers, Eric Kingsley, Jed Whiting, and Andy Irish. To become a member of the Northeastern Loggers' Association or subscribe to The Northern Logger and Timber Processor magazine, visit https://www.northernlogger.com/ Magazine preview

Procurement forester Paul Snider talks to The Northern Logger about Baillie Lumber, a major hardwood lumber producer in the northeastern US. Paul speaks about Baillie’s Boonville operation, his experiences as a procurement forester, how the industry has changed in recent years, and the current economic climate. He also offers some advice for young people who are interested in getting into the forest sector.  This episode is sponsored by John Deere. Raise your game with Intelligent Boom Control. With IBC, loggers take control of the forest with easy-to-learn functionality and enhanced productivity. To become a member of the Northeastern Loggers' Association or subscribe to The Northern Logger and Timber Processor magazine, visit https://www.northernlogger.com/ Magazine preview

Do you ever feel like a crooked tree? You’re not alone. In this episode, Steven Bick introduces his Vermont Forest Business School (FBS) program by sharing a recording of an alumni session from earlier this year. During the workshop, participants discuss the lyrics to the song “Crooked Tree” by Molly Tuttle and use them as a jumping-off point for conversation around their personal experiences as professionals in the logging industry, including owning their own business, forestry best practices, and perceptions of the industry. Steven also gives a brief introduction to FBS, how it all got started, and how you can apply. Molly Tuttle’s “Crooked Tree” lyrics Listen to Molly Tuttle’s “Crooked Tree” on YouTube More information about the Vermont Forest Business School: https://vtfbs.com/ To become a member of the Northeastern Loggers' Association or subscribe to The Northern Logger and Timber Processor magazine, visit https://www.northernlogger.com/ Magazine preview

Learn how Thompson Native Lumber, a mid-sized mill in Hopkinton, RI, has thrived for over six decades. The mill has maintained a healthy balance sheet through diversification and finding niche markets amid the ever-changing forest products industry landscape. You'll hear Jim Thompson discuss the evolution of his family-owned and operated mill since the mid-1950s, his diverse range of products, agile production methods, and more. Thanks to this month's sponsor, John Deere. Unlock your potential and experience a new level of innovation with Intelligent Boom Control (IBC), John Deere's latest operator assistance feature. To become a member of the Northeastern Loggers' Association or subscribe to The Northern Logger and Timber Processor magazine, visit https://www.northernlogger.com/

Thank you to our fabulous sponsor, John Deere!

Ed Berry is a Maine Logger who has worked the Kennebec River Land Base for over 60 years. This month, we heard his story.

Thank you to our sponsor, John Deere!

Mike shares his path into a career of running a one-person logging operation, his choice to stay non-mechanized and how Game of Logging revolutionized his safety practices.

Erika Scott and Liane Hirabayashi from the Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety discuss their takeaways from logger health screenings and research. Hear about their Maine Logger Health Study and learn about how you can be healthier working in the woods. Thank you to our awesome sponsor, John Deere!

This month, we interview Chris Crowe of Timberwolf Logging, 2020’s NELA Award Winner for “Outstanding Use of Wood” and P&R Lumber, winner for “Outstanding Sawmill Operator”!

Thank you to our fantastic sponsor, John Deere!

We speak with Peter Smallidge, NYS Extension Forester, about a new idea in forest management: slash walls for managing the deer population.

We spoke with longtime log trucker Jim Reynolds of Thurman, NY about the ins and outs of log trucking in the Adirondacks. Thanks to our generous sponsor, John Deere!

While the American hardwood sector has managed to hold its own over the past year of global trade, no one predicted the changes that 2020 would bring to the forest products economy. To catch up on the state of international hardwood trade, The Northern Logger podcast spoke with Mike Snow of the American Hardwood Export Council and Dana Cole of the Hardwood Federation.