On this Why Ag Wednesday, we are featuring one of our great state’s oldest industries; Logging and Forest Products!

With over 20 million acres of forest land in Michigan, we support a nation-wide industry producing more than $300 billion worth of products annually. Additionally, it provides for around 2.5 million jobs across the United States. Some of the earliest settlers in Michigan gave the lumber industry its start, by constructing buildings to engage in the fur trade.

A common concern around logging is deforestation. To combat this and ensure there is a forestry industry for many years to come, conservation plays a major role in the decisions loggers make. Since 1970, the amount of forest land in America has grown by 20%, even as the demand for wood and wood by-products has gone up. There are many career opportunities in this ever-changing industry.

– Alex and Andy