Michigan Association of Timbermen

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Michigan Association of Timbermen We are a 501(c)6 non profit that supports and educates the forest industry community in Michigan.

10/23/2026

Happy National Forest Products Week! This is celebrated the third week of October to acknowledge the importance of forests and their sustainable uses. This was established by Congress on September 13th, 1960 and signed by then president Dwight D. Eisenhower on September 15th, 1960.

Forest help provide many resources including paper and wood, but the by-products of making these also are used in many different ways. Celebrate this week by learning more about how to help sustain our forests.

October 14th and 15th, SAF had their fall 2026 Conference in Marquette, MI. The conference was attended by many SAF memb...
10/22/2026

October 14th and 15th, SAF had their fall 2026 Conference in Marquette, MI. The conference was attended by many SAF members as well as students from MSU, MTU, Bay College, and Gogebic Community College. Wednesday was a day filled with many different panels that encompassed many different topics including a Technology panel with Michigan Association of Timbermen member WALDO, as well as a policy panel that included MAT’s own Danielle Murdock along with GLTPA, SAF, and MFA. There was great discussion had as to where the industry is going and what can be done to help bolster it. After all the panels were finished, there was a dinner orchestrated at the hotel where there was also a raffle for many different prizes.
On Thursday, the groups split to go to their different tour spots which included a tour of the Rayonier Mill in Gwinn that Danielle attended. The members of that tour were shown through the mill after a safety meeting and were able to see how logs arriving at the mill are then scanned, cut, and packaged before being shipped as 2x4 or 2x6 lumber. The mill has around 150 employees and is safety certified through the Michigan Voluntary Protection Program..
The Gwinn site was originally part of the K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base. The mill has gone through many changes since it was opened in the mid-1990’s by Sawyer Lumber Company. It was bought by LP in 2000, who then sold it in 2005 to Potlatch Corporation,(later PotlatchDeltic. The Gwinn mill now operates under the Rayonier name following the merger between Rayonier and PotlatchDeltic in 2026.

10/16/2026

Timbermen's member Scott Johnson Forest Products near Houghton hosted a "classroom in the woods" with Ponsse North America! So awesome to see this type of activity happening all over the UP this fall.

Today the IRS released guidance regarding dyed diesel at the direction of President Donald J. Trump, and we've created a...
10/15/2026

Today the IRS released guidance regarding dyed diesel at the direction of President Donald J. Trump, and we've created a side-by-side to outline Governor Gretchen Whitmer's Executive Order next to the IRS' guidance.

In a nutshell, if you have a log plate (or a farm plate) you can run dyed diesel to save yourself on state and federal taxes. However, the IRS is still considering a full forgiveness policy, so we suggest you track your gallons and set aside approximately 25 cents a gallon, just in case the feds require a future tax payback. We appreciate American Loggers Council and Forest Resources Association advocating for no federal tax payback!

For the full IRS guidance, read here:
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-provides-dyed-diesel-fuel-relief-related-to-excise-tax-following-president-trumps-executive-order

For Governor Whitmer's order, read here: https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/state-orders-and-directives/2026/10/12/executive-order-no-2026-15-declaration-of-state-of-energy-emergency

It's great to see so many of our members at the Michigan Society of American Foresters conference in Marquette, includin...
10/15/2026

It's great to see so many of our members at the Michigan Society of American Foresters conference in Marquette, including:

Our own Dani Murdock with the Michigan Association of Timbermen
Toddy Penrose from Holli Forest Atwood Forest Products
Travis Kangas from LP Building Solutions for Professionals
Jerry Grossman from Green Timber Consulting Foresters
Jim Malloy with Weyerhaeuser - Grayling
Nicole Frost with Michigan Forest Association
Henry Schienebeck with Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association

Welcome Leo Huhta to the Michigan Association of Timbermen board of directors! The Michigan Association of Timbermen is ...
10/14/2026

Welcome Leo Huhta to the Michigan Association of Timbermen board of directors!

The Michigan Association of Timbermen is a not-for-profit 501c6 organization, taking direction from a volunteer board of directors from all over the State. The Board recently appointed Leo Huhta, owner of Waldo Logs and Huhta Logging to serve our western UP region. Here's a note from Leo:

"Dear MAT Members and Industry Partners,

I am honored to recently be appointed to the Michigan Association of Timbermen Board of Directors to represent Region 1 in the western UP. As a logger from Chassell who was born and raised in a logging family, the forest products industry has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.

In 2006, my wife Tina and I started Huhta Logging, giving me firsthand experience with the daily challenges we face in the woods and reinforcing how critical strong communication and coordination are among loggers, truckers, foresters, landowners, and mills. That work eventually led us to start Waldo Solutions, where I currently work and serve on the board, collaborating with industry partners across Michigan and nationwide.

Over the past few years, I’ve taken on a more active role in broader industry advocacy through my involvement with the Logging Contractors (PLC) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Working alongside these organizations has given me a deep appreciation for the policy, certification, and market trends shaping our industry at both the state and national levels.

While these leadership roles have broadened my perspective on where the forest sector is headed, I will always evaluate issues through the eyes of the person working in the woods.

I care deeply about keeping Michigan’s forests working. On the MAT Board, my focus is on supporting strong logging businesses, healthy mills and markets, and ensuring our boots-on-the-ground workforce has a firm voice in every decision that affects our livelihoods.

I look forward to serving you, listening to your ideas and concerns, and working together to keep MAT and Michigan’s timber industry strong. Please feel free to reach out anytime.

Best regards,

Leo Huhta,
Chassell, MI
Huhta Logging & Waldo Solutions"

Major news from Governor Gretchen Whitmer! Thank you to the Governor for signing an executive order moments ago, providi...
10/12/2026

Major news from Governor Gretchen Whitmer! Thank you to the Governor for signing an executive order moments ago, providing "temporary relief for Michigan’s harvest and logging operations by enabling farm and wood harvester vehicles to use dyed diesel on state highways."

The Michigan Association of Timbermen received great news earlier today from Governor Whitmer's office; after hearing from more than 20 agriculture and forestry associations across the State, as well as having multiple conversations with other states in the Great Lakes region, an executive order has been release to enable the use of dyed diesel!

We understand this Executive Order only helps our members who have trucks on the road, and that it does not offer any relief for those of you who are not engaged in trucking directly. However, we are happy to see our political advocacy efforts make a difference on this specific request. Please read the press release from Governor Whitmer below.

https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/MIEOG/2026/10/12/file_attachments/3813834/EO%202026-15,%20Temporary%20Use%20of%20Dyed%20Diesel%20Fuel%20%28FINAL%20SIGNED%2010.12.26%29.pdf

See the press release below from the Governor's office:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 12, 2026

Contact: [email protected]


"Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order to Support Farmers, Loggers as Skyrocketing Diesel Prices Collide with Harvest

Order provides temporary relief for Michigan’s harvest and logging operations by enabling farm and wood harvester vehicles to use dyed diesel on state highways

LANSING, Mich.— Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of energy emergency statewide to suspend rules for certain farm and forestry vehicles in response to record-high diesel prices and ongoing supply chain disruptions stemming from the Iran War. Michigan’s agricultural producers and loggers—now at the peak of harvest season—are facing severe financial strain due to tightened global fuel supplies and historic market volatility.

“The Iran War, supported by DC Republicans, continues to raise the price of everything, and exorbitant diesel prices are hitting Michigan’s farmers and loggers hard right in the middle of harvest season,” said Governor Whitmer. “While I can’t control what’s happening at the federal level, I can try to protect Michigan’s economy. This order will allow farm and logging vehicles to use dyed diesel on our highways without risk of penalty. We need to keep work moving and reduce pressure on the people who keep our state’s ag economy running.”

The executive order temporarily authorizes motor vehicles with farm or wood harvester license plates to use dyed diesel fuel while operating on public roads by suspending specific provisions of the Motor Fuel Tax Act that prohibit the on‑road use of dyed diesel by these vehicles.

The order is effective immediately and will end no later than Dec. 31, 2026, in order to support the agriculture and forestry industries through fall harvest."

Member spotlight on Diesel Truck Sales of Saginaw! We're happy to have Diesel Truck Sales become more involved with the ...
10/12/2026

Member spotlight on Diesel Truck Sales of Saginaw! We're happy to have Diesel Truck Sales become more involved with the Timbermen's Association this year. Sales Manager Jim Kanine, Chase Warren and the rest of Diesel Truck Sales' staff do a terrific job supporting our industry.

"Diesel Truck Sales, an award-winning Freightliner Trucks & Western Star Trucks dealer located in Michigan! Serving our customers since 1946, we are a Full-Line Authorized Freightliner, Freightliner Custom Chassis, Sterling and Western Star Dealer located in Saginaw, Michigan.

Diesel Truck Sales is your dealer for all your medium and heavy-duty truck sales, service, and parts. Providing excellent service & great deals on parts, we are your ideal choice for quality truck care. We are the Diesel Professionals!"

Aaron Bieshlag, owner of Bieshlag Logging in East Jordan, Michigan is a long-time Timbermen's member, and has been quiet...
10/10/2026

Aaron Bieshlag, owner of Bieshlag Logging in East Jordan, Michigan is a long-time Timbermen's member, and has been quietly serving as one of our top chainsaw experts!

He recently conducted a chainsaw safety class in conjunction with the Charlevoix Conservation District and a group of ladies from the area (connected through Prois hunting apparel). Aaron is SAWW Certified (www.sawwtraining.com) and is a terrific teacher.

Good work Aaron Bieshlag from Bieshlag Logging, we appreciate your membership!

Address

7350 State Highway M123
Newberry, MI
49868

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+19062933236

Website

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