Proposed Hardwood Checkoff Program
August 2015The USDA is once again seeking public comments on amendments made for the Hardwood Checkoff Program. The program was initially proposed in November, 2013 as a collective research and marketing effort funded by lumber producers with financial oversight, implementation, and enforcement conducted by a 28 member board run by industry owners and employees. The proposed program would highlight a single commodity, hardwood, and create a promotional campaign to increase the sales of US produced hardwood. Similar programs started by the USDA include the campaigns such as “Got Milk”, “Beef, It’s What’s for Dinner” and “Pork, the Other White Meat”.
With the newest revisions to the program that clarify export and domestic sales would be included for eligible products and changing the voting procedures for the programs participants the USDA has started to move forward following the public comments period.
Under the Hardwood Checkoff Program the funding would be from sawmill operators and kiln drying yards with annual sales greater than $2 million will be assessed $1 for every $1,000 in sales. Plywood mills with more than $10 million in annual production will pay $3 per $1,000 of production.
For more information on the Hardwood Checkoff Program please visit: Harwood Checkoff Program and No Hardwood Checkoff Program