Ohio Forestry Association holds annual meeting and selects new leadership

The Ohio Forestry Association (OFA) held its annual meeting and awards luncheon in February at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. Loggers, hardwood manufacturers, forestry professionals, and tree farmers from across the state gathered to hear important industry updates and present outstanding service awards. Top of mind for attendees was the economic uncertainty of tariffs impacting Ohio’s hardwood industry.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the presentation of industry awards. OFA’s highest honor is reserved for the Outstanding Logger of the Year, and Mike Sissel of Sissel Logging in West Portsmouth was named for 2024. Sissel Logging was recognized for their history of service to the Southern Ohio Loggers Chapter and commitment to public education about logging. Sissel has taken his logging equipment to a county-wide school program at Shawnee State University for over ten years and conducted demonstrations for the students. This has cost him production as well as out-of-pocket expenses, demonstrating his passion for telling students the truth about what loggers do and counteracting the common misconceptions that the public has about logging.… Continue reading