Alabama Forest Owners to Receive Relief from CARES Act

The Alabama Farmers Federation and Alabama Treasure Forest Association (AFTA) are the recipients of a $10 million in state coronavirus relief to help forest owners impacted by the pandemic. Jimmy Parnell, Federation President, said, “COVID-19 has hit Alabama’s forest industry hard. Prices have decreased for timber used for lumber as well as pulpwood used to make paper. We appreciate Gov. Ivey recognizing the importance of private forest landowners to our economy and environment. This funding will help lessen the blow for those who sold timber this spring.” The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) will administer the Assisting Alabama Timber Owners Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic program. It will provide payments to landowners who harvested timber during the months of March through July 2020. The payment rate will be $1 per ton of timber sold. Initial payments will be limited to not more than $10,000 per applicant, pending evaluation of program participation and available funding.