Keystone Wood Products Association

06/12/2026

Congratulations to Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Hardwoods Development Concil! What an honor!

👏We would like to take a moment to recognize the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Hardwoods Development Council (HDC) led by its executive director, Jonathan Geyer.

During the Pennsylvania FFA statewide convention, the HDC was presented with a FFA Citation Award. This prestigious honor recognizes the groups who make a lasting impact on agricultural education and FFA across Pennsylvania.

PA FFA said, “Their commitment, service, and leadership help move our association forward, and we are honored to celebrate the individuals and organizations who continue to champion the future of agriculture.”

Throughout the year and for the conference, the HDC brings together volunteers, sponsors, and programs that support forest and wood product education.

As the nation’s leading hardwood producer, Pennsylvania—and its working forests—make a meaningful impact on the Commonwealth and beyond. Through the HDC’s efforts, the students learn about the environmental and health benefits of forests and wood products while exploring career opportunities within the innovative industry that employs 60,000 Pennsylvanians.

🏆 Congratulations to the HDC, Jon and all of the recipients of the 2026 Citation Awards. And thanks to FFA and its sponsors. Together, you are growing the future!

HDC partner sponsors include:
Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group
Keystone Wood Products Association
Northern Tier Hardwood Association
Pennsylvania Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee
Pennsylvania Forest Products Association
Pennsylvania Forestry Association - PFA
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Lumber Heritage Region of Pennsylvania, Inc.

06/10/2026

Today, KWPA had the honor of joining the Pennsylvania Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee at Stone Valley Experimental Forest, Petersburg, as part of the Pennsylvania FFA convention.

During the testing rotation, we provided over 50 students with an industry overview that included the important role that SFI certified wood products play in healthy forests. We also discussed career opportunities and joined the students for a walk in the woods that revealed the answers to their tree id exam. Thankfully, the rain held off during testing and the student’s enthusiasm brightened the foggy morning.

KWPA is proud to sponsor the event alongside the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Hardwoods Development Council, PA SFI, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Foresty, Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group, Northern Tier Hardwood Association, Pennsylvania Forest Products Association, Pennsylvania Forestry Association - PFA and Lumber Heritage Region of Pennsylvania, Inc.

06/08/2026

Wood is indeed GOOD!

06/08/2026

Happy !

There are many misconceptions out there. Maybe you have heard that harvesting trees harms our forests. Well today, on , we will debunk that myth. In fact, consumer demand for hardwood products keeps our forests healthy and growing.

Here's why:

Like all living things, trees do not live forever. When they are responsibly harvested, the environmental benefits abound. A harvest not only provides materials for carbon storing wood products, but it creates forests with diverse age classes, which:

✅Are better able to withstand disease and pest outbreaks
Provide increased carbon storage as young trees are more efficient at sequestering carbon

✅Enhance wildlife habitat by providing diverse settings that allow forest friends to complete their life cycles

✅Improve air and water quality as trees thrive with less competition for sunlight and soil nutrients

In addition, thanks to sustainable forestry efforts, U.S. Hardwood forests are131% larger than they were in 1953. That is because active forest management helps keep forests as forests instead of being developed. In Pennsylvania, for every tree harvested, 2-3 trees naturally grow.

The choice is clear. When you buy wood products, you support healthy growing forests!

06/02/2026

KWPA would like to take a moment to congratulate Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group on a successful annual meeting! KWPA is proud to work alongside AHUG, Northern Tier Hardwood Association, the HDC and industry partners! We know how much work goes into an annual meeting, and AHUG's event is a direct reflection of the organization's efforts!

06/01/2026

Check out how this couple turned chance into change by reading today's edition of The Grain here : https://conta.cc/4dDsjR1

05/25/2026

Freedom is not free. As we celebrate the day, let us honor those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

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05/22/2026

🌳What a wonderful way to end the week! Tika and Brandon from Metzler Forest Products LLC and Steph from KWPA teamed up to participate in Mifflin County Middle School's career fair.

Together, they discussed professional paths in the wood products industry and played an industry game with engaged students.

Special thanks to the event organizers and a big shout out to Brandon who chose to spend his birthday at the career fair educating youngsters about the state's largest sector of agriculture--the wood products industry! 🎉 Happy Birthday Brandon!

05/20/2026

CALLING ALL AREA EDUCATORS: REGISTER BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!

There are just a few seats left in the two-day STEELS aligned workshop that explains how forest management connects directly to careers in the wood products industry.

Offering 15 Act 48 hours, the educator event is slated for June 24th & 25th in Clinton and Lycoming Counites. Sponsored by Keystone Wood Products Association, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Project Learning Tree, and Blast Intermediate Unit17, teachers will not only learn about forest management, but they will connect with professionals working at each stage of the wood product supply chain and leave with simple, ready-to-use activities that help students explore sustainable forestry and wood products careers.

The tentative agenda includes tours of logging sites, Bingaman & Son Lumber - Sawmill Division (Pine Creek Lumber,) Lewis Lumber Products Inc, the PA WoodMobile and Brick Mill Furniture. Dennis Delong, from M & D Staves will also be on hand to discuss stave making. Lunch will be provided both days. For more information or to register use this link: https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/two-day-teacher-workshop-from-forest-to-finished-product or contact KWPA at [email protected].

05/19/2026

"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today."-Malcom X

This morning KWPA, along with member companies Alderfer Lumber and Northway Industries, Inc., had the honor of recognizing outstanding graduating students in the Wood, Design and Technology program at SUN Area Technical Institute.

Congratulations to all!