The Hardwood Federation: The Hardwood Industry’s Federal Advocate

Welcome to San Antonio! The Hardwood Federation is always excited to be a part of this wonderful event. Congratulations to the Board of Directors, Board President Bucky Pescaglia, Executive Director Dallin Brooks, and the entire staff of the National Hardwood Lumber Association for putting together what promises to be another successful, exciting, and inspiring Annual Convention.

The Hardwood Federation has fought for you, your companies, and your employees for over twenty years. We remain steadfast in our mission to strongly advocate on behalf of U.S. hardwood businesses and their employees to federally elected officials, regardless of party.

We are on the political frontline for you, fighting every day so you can have a successful tomorrow.

The Trump Administration is three-quarters through its first year of a four-year term. The speed and breadth of the President’s agenda, policy, and otherwise, have in many ways stunned D.C., the nation, and the globe. More than twenty years ago, hardwood industry leaders, many of whom were members of the NHLA, wisely thought to put representatives of hardwood companies on the ground in Washington, D.C. to serve as a first line of engagement with political leaders. Since 2004, the Hardwood Federation has represented the hardwood industry in D.C., leveraging the voices of NHLA leaders (and those from our thirty-two other member associations) to make sure the White House, Administration Officials, and Congressional Leaders clearly understand the valuable contributions the production of hardwood logs, lumber, and products can make on multiple levels of the U.S. economy.

In 2025, under a Trump-led, Republican-dominated federal bureaucracy, the Hardwood Federation’s main focus has been on how the Administration’s global trade and tariff policy will impact hardwood companies, both those exporting and those with a domestic focus. This means regularly engaging with the Administration and congressional leaders to ensure that legislation and regulations recognize and support the hardwood industry.

It is no secret that Washington, D.C., under the Trump Administration, is not business as usual. Their swift and aggressive pursuit of their agenda has created a level of unpredictability that has spread from the halls of Capitol Hill to all sectors of the economy and private life. The U.S. hardwood industry, already stressed by decreasing domestic markets, faces additional uncertainties as global markets adjust to the President’s use of steep tariffs as trade negotiation tools. This rapid restructuring of American life and global commerce delights some and is of grave concern to others. However, the Hardwood Federation’s job is to think of new and alternative ways to navigate this new reality so that we can successfully advocate for policy decisions that support U.S. hardwood companies and, at the same time, adjust our operations to align with industry fortunes.

WE ARE DOING THIS IN SEVERAL WAYS:
The hardwood staff and board developed a proposed tariff relief proposal that, if funding becomes available, would support agriculturally-based industries negatively impacted by trade policies. This proposal was developed before President Trump took his oath of office and has been the topic of dozens of meetings with Members of Congress, Hill staff, and Administration officials since the first day of the new Administration. By developing a proposal early and being proactive in sharing it widely with the full range of decision makers — not just once or twice, but multiple times over the past several months — we are pursuing this goal every day.

• We have centered our story on how the U.S. hardwood industry exemplifies many of the objectives pursued by the Trump Administration. Net exporters. Rural jobs. Made in America. Essential products ranging from interior furnishings to vital industrial supplies and residual components for paper, cardboard, and pellets. Highlighting how the hardwood industry already meets these goals, and how we can do more, is crucial for getting the attention of those in charge today.
• Given the reduced resources related to the economic and business challenges faced by our member associations and their company members, the Federation has trimmed our expenses and focused available dollars and resources on the issues that matter most now. At this point, trade is our primary focus, although we continue to weigh in on issues such as tax reform, transportation, and regulation when appropriate.
• To augment our manpower and resources dedicated to trade policy-related efforts, we have engaged Monument Advocacy on a short-term basis to expand outreach and access in the second half of 2025. Special reserve funds were raised to support this effort from industry companies.

The Hardwood Federation is proud to partner with and represent NHLA and its members in our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. Having a coordinated, consistent, and united voice in Washington is critical for the U.S. hardwood industry. It is more important than ever in times when policy and regulatory changes are happening at breakneck speed. Our job of educating those in public office must be ongoing… and we are never done. Although making our message heard can feel like an almost impossible task, we must continue to reach out, communicate, and advocate. This is the value of having a full-time, dedicated presence in D.C., a team working daily, full-time for you, your business, and your employees. It is hard, and it is slow, but it is necessary because the only assured outcome of inaction is failure.

The NHLA provides crucial financial and advocacy support to the Hardwood Federation, but at the same time, the direct participation of the NHLA’s membership cannot be underestimated, and we are grateful.

NHLA MEMBERS:

• Come to Washington to meet and discuss policies impacting the industry with Members of Congress.
• Educate Members of Congress by hosting them in mills, yards, and facilities to give them a first-hand look at the industry.
• Write letters, e-mail, and call Congressional offices to share concerns about bad policy and applaud good policy.
• Contribute financial resources, both on an individual and company basis, to the Hardwood Federation’s Political Action Committee and Administrative Operating Fund, both essential to our continued success. Please support us at www.hardwoodfederation.com

The Hardwood Federation staff will be at the NHLA convention and look forward to meeting you and discussing our efforts in Washington. Have a wonderful convention!

By DANA COLE, Executive Director of the Hardwood Federation