August 2026 SHARP Logger Newsletter

August 2026 SHARP Logger Newsletter (pdf)

August 2026 SHARP Logger Newsletter (video)

Sustainable Aviation Fuels - What This Means for Pulp Mills and Feedstock Suppliers

Excerpt from an article by ResourceWise in Virginia Loggers Association Magazine, Issue 3

The rise of Sustainable Aviation Fuels is creating new opportunities for forest-based feedstocks. But it is also changing the level of market awareness required to compete.

The central takeaway is clear: forest-derived feedstocks are becoming more strategically valuable because they sit at the intersection of fuel, chemical, and carbon markets.

For pulp mills, this could open new revenue pathways. For fuel producers, it could create new sourcing opportunities. For investors and policymakers, it highlights the need to understand the upstream supply chains behind low-carbon fuel growth.

The Bigger Picture: Aviation Is Pulling Forest Products into the Low-Carbon Economy

SAF demand is not just changing aviation; it is helping reshape the economics of forest-derived feedstocks.

As policy support grows and fuel producers compete for low-carbon inputs, materials such as crude tall oil and tall oil fatty acids may become increasingly important in renewable fuel supply chains.

At the same time, the commercial value of these materials will depend on pricing signals, regulatory eligibility, traceability, and competition from other end uses. This is why the next phase of SAF market development will not be about production capacity alone. It will also be about feedstock strategy.

Companies that understand these upstream dynamics will be better positioned to identify opportunities, manage risk, and capture value as low-carbon markets continue to evolve.

Landowner Legacy Planning Workshops from the Generation NEXT Program

Many of you own land, and all of you work with families who own land. But what will happen to that land when the current owners pass away? Most families want their land to stay intact, in forest and farm, and in the family, but many have not done the necessary preparation.

Generation NEXT, a Program of the Virginia Department of Forestry and Virginia Cooperative Extension, exists to help landowners and their families engage in legacy planning for their rural land. Registration is now open for the Program’s first of three offerings in 2026. All workshops include presentations from legal, financial, and conservation experts and a copy of the award-winning workbook Legacy Planning: A Guide for Virginia Landowners.

South Boston Workshop: A full day workshop on Saturday, September 19th. Participants will hear from an attorney, financial expert, natural resource specialist, and experienced landowners. Fee: $90 for the first two family members, $45 each additional. Includes breakfast & lunch. REGISTRATION OPEN!

Warrenton Workshop: A full day workshop on Saturday, November 7th. Participants will hear from an attorney, financial expert, natural resource specialist, family dynamics advisor, and others. Pricing TBD.

Suffolk Workshop: Two evening sessions on Thursdays, November 5th & 12th. Participants will hear from an attorney, financial expert, natural resource specialist, and a collection of other organizations with resources for rural land owners. Pricing TBD. Registration opening in September.

Learn more, download fliers and other resources, or register on the Generation NEXT website. Contact Karen Snape, Extension Associate, at 540-231-6494 or ksnape@vt.edu with any questions, including accessibility requests.

 

A Safety Short

By Pat Donnelly, WVU

Have you ever cut timber when it was 90 degrees and 100% humidity? The air seems so heavy you can physically feel it as you sweat in the heat. When it is hot and sweaty, PPE does not seem to feel as important because it is helping keep that heat in. I get it, I have been there on many occasions. But what happens when that dead limb falls from above and smacks you on the head? Or when your saw kicks back and is driven into your thigh? At that point I bet you really appreciate the fact you had it on, right? In the military there is a saying, “embrace the suck.” When the oppressive heat of summer bears down we have to do just that at times to get through the day. Stay hydrated, endure the PPE, and go home safely!