Tennessee Celebrates National Forest Products Week

PRESS RELEASE

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) is celebrating National Forest Products Week Oct. 20 - 26. The forest products industry produces many products that are integral to Tennesseans’ lives and provides employment for thousands of people in the state.

“From lumber to clothing and toothpaste, forest products are in everyday products,” State Forester Heather Slayton said. “The forest products industry is built on one of the only truly sustainable natural resources on the planet. In contrast to materials like plastic, metal, or concrete, we can grow more trees, and growing more is great for the environment.” The forest industry in Tennessee accounts for three percent of the state’s economy, supporting 91,000 jobs and generating $29.1 billion in output. The forest industry includes the management, logging, and regrowth of trees; sawmills, including pulp and paper mills; and forest products manufacturing. Tennessee ranks among the nation’s top producers of hardwood lumber and related products, including hardwood flooring, veneer products, wooden barrels, sawn lumber, and sawlogs.

Renowned for their exceptional quality, Tennessee’s forest products are highly sought after around the world—generating nearly $150 million in foreign exports annually. Through its Division of Forestry (TDF) and Business Development Division, TDA works to advance Tennessee’s forest products both domestically and internationally and strengthen market opportunities. The department works closely with public, private, and nonprofit partners to provide professional training and educational programs to help industry members build expertise and adopt best practices.

In addition, TDA offers financial assistance to help forest-based businesses. To learn more about financial assistance programs and resources to support or expand forest industry businesses, visit www.tn.gov/agriculture/businesses/business-development/forest-products.

TDF protects and promotes the responsible use of forest resources in Tennessee. Focus areas include assisting landowners with a variety of services, providing quality tree seedlings, supporting forest health programs, collecting forest inventory data, assisting forest industries, and fighting wildland fires. Visit www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests for more information.