(This article is direct from the Empire State Forest Products Association (ESFPA) on October 22, 2026)
Take Action NOW: Tell USDA to Include Forest Product Commodities in New Fuel Relief Program
The Empire State Forest Products Association (ESFPA) is coordinating with the American Loggers Council (ALC) and received guidance to activate in coalition our respective memberships to respond to USDA's exclusion of our sector in the just announced $8 billion relief program for farmers (only).
This program makes available one-time payments to American Farmers this harvest season to provide relief during the temporary market disruptions and increased inputs (i.e., fuel costs). The $8 billion is authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act and will be administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA).
According to Secretary Rollin's published announcement, Payment rates for other commodities (e.g. "wood?") "...will be announced at a later date," and specialty crop producers and fishermen are "encouraged to provide data related to increased fuel costs" to the USDA via email for consideration.
Our industry, like farmers, is also significantly impacted across our supply chain by the increase in fuel costs right now and should be included in this relief package or another ASAP.
We need our members and others in our sector (so, pass it on!) to do the following ASAP to convey this message to Secretary Rollins, the Administration, and our elected officials:
Flood the USDA email (HarvestFuel@usda.gov) that was set up to receive comments and input on which commodity groups should be eligible for relief. It is important to be specific and provide accurate and specific data points in your comments.
Here is a sample email you can tailor and copy/paste in the body of an email. The bold italics are included for areas you should tailor specific to you/your business and the impacts:
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Dear Secretary Rollins:
I am a [select (suggested): logger, forester, forest landowner, trucker/hauler manufacturer] in the forest products industry in [Community or Name of Town] in New York state who is significantly impacted by the skyrocketing diesel fuel prices. The harvest, transport, and delivery of timber and other wood-based commodities is not unlike the harvest, transport, and delivery of agricultural 'food' products in that they are all land-based natural resource products that are deemed "essential" (as defined by President Trump in his first term during COVID pandemic) to meeting the very basic needs of people, families, and communities.
We are finding it more and more challenging to harvest and move our wood-based agricultural products NOW during a season in which people need them most. Our businesses are stressed as a direct result, and we have very few options other than passing along our incurred cost increases, ultimately reaching the consumer with higher prices at a time when they are struggling themselves.
Specifically, INSERT/MENTION ANY FIGURES/IMPACTS ON YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS HERE (and BE SPECIFIC (like fuel cost increases per load)) and include specific impacts on your business in monetary terms, in terms of running fewer trucks, reducing teams, cutting hours, etc. Use a highlighter tool or use bold on this section in your email for emphasis. Please contact ESFPA if you need additional help.
That is why we respectfully implore you to expand the allowed commodities groups in this program to include forest products such as logs, timber, chips, wood residuals, firewood, and other wood-based materials NOW rather than wait until a later date. That later date may be too late for many of us in our sector. We urge you to consider the many comments you will receive from those in our industry who are reeling from these soaring input prices and are desperate in their need for relief.
I appreciate your time and consideration, and hope to hear about announced plans to support our forest products industry going forward with entrance to this or a similar program, quickly.
Sincerely,
XXXXXX (Sign Name)
Title
Company Name
Phone | email
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ESFPA will continue to work through our national partner organizations as well as Congressional and Administration officials as part of our ongoing effort to make the case for member/sector relief at the federal and state levels. USDA receipt of individual comments and suggestions from our members carries significant influence in those efforts. We will announce next steps in this effort.