Has anyone ever heard of this organization or is a member of it? I received an email trying to get me to join. I hadn't ever heard of it and didn't know if it was legit or if it was a way to get $120 per year out of me.
New one on me. $120 a year for what?
Wonder why you would want to join. What would you gain?
I didn't read too far into it, but assuming the website listed on the email you got is the same as the one that comes up in google, I'd think it was legit. Sounds like a "deal" at only 120 a year, the website lists 199 annually.
https://nationalfirewoodassociation.org/forms/new/
Didn't read much into it, so I'm not sure what your getting. Maybe if your trying to get more customers and they can help, or if your annual dues go towards firewood related programs, then it may be worth it.
I've never heard of it until about 77 seconds ago ;D
I'm saving my $$$ :)
It is $199. I didn't have the info in front of me at the time. It claims they help you promote and market you business as well as promote and protect the firewood industry. Also says they keep you up to date on current industry info. I'm saving my $$$ too.
Sounds like a great idea for the organizers, to me.
I agree with DoctorB,it is a great idea for the organizers.
What are you getting for the $199.00?....... How can they expect to find anyone interested in paying that large a fee up front without at least showing a few of the details about how the program and organization works and how it can help. The webpage link offers no info without first filling out form and I did not try to go to the home page for this organization. <------------------------ not user friendly.
In my part of the world the average firewood guy promotes and markets his own business by parking his 1970's pickup on a corner with a full load of firewood and a spray-painted sign on the sideboards showing his phone number and the price of the load.
While it may be that they could use a little promoting and maybe some additional marketing help with their firewood business I don't think it will happen at $199.00 // Perhaps $19.99 might help for the basic membership fee rather than handing over your first couple pickup loads of firewood for a one year membership. ;D
As far as getting fresh ideas on the industry this forum has been very helpful to me, and it's free 8) Not to say that this outfit is a wash, david
The Nat'l Firewood Assoc. started years back, when the first "oil crisis" came about ('73 or thereabouts) and everybody and their brother were making wood burning stoves (prior to EPA). And the NFA sprang up, probably with the thought of lobbying for their cause, and probably had to do with setting up some standards that people new to the business could relate to and find out about wood stoves. There were some publications on "how to do it" along with published numbers for BTU output from different woods, and such. Now that EPA has jumped into the business of certifying wood stoves, the NFA prolly doesn't have that as an agenda except to try to keep wood burning in as a possibility.
I never new of it to be an association to help anyone sell their wood.
Edit: This recollection was in error, and agree with others as to its mission being worthwhile to producers.
Not sure I see the value either--IMO, they don't put forth enough information to justify the $199.
Maybe that fee would come down if the get more sponsors.
Things are really tight for me but I would rather and gladly support FF and have access to many more topics!
Yes mid 70's was a relearning of wood burning .There must have been several dozen manufactures of plate steel wood stoves at that time .The stoves are still around in spite of the EPA's blessings or not .
Made often of 5/16" and 3/8" steel plate they are likely to be around the next 150 years too truth be known .Fact they will keep you just as warm as before the EPA stuck their govenmental noses in it .
I would really like to see this organization grow and firewood producers/burners need a voice..but only if they lowered the fees..stand up and fight the EPA/government regulations..inform/educate the public about the benefits of wood burning..and encourage firewood purchase for liegitament producers not sideliners looking for extra beer money. The oil / gas companies tree huggers have a big voice in Washington dc and don't like us! There has already been a lot of good ideas/products band. :(
Quote from: timberlinetree on July 21, 2013, 06:06:17 AM
and encourage firewood purchase for liegitament producers not sideliners looking for extra beer money.
I'm not exactly certain what a "sideliner " is .Would that be perhaps a tree service person who sells what he hauls off of jobs to sell as fire wood in the lean times of winter ?
Would it be a logger or land owner who salvages the tops of lumber trees that would otherwise go to waste .Would it rather be a person who supliments his income by selling firewood on the side like a second job .
Could it possibley be a sawyer who bundles the flitches and sells them as slab wood that would otherwise go to waste ?
I'm confused with that statement because I have never in my 65 years on this earth ever met one person who's income they live off of was derived solely from firewood sales . ;)
My guess is he's talking about guys that sell firewood below what producers that follow rules and regulations such as work comp, commercial liability insurance, payroll taxes, DOT laws, etc. I don't fault anyone for trying to make a buck, especially if they're out of work but its very difficult to compete against a guy with a Poulan and a pickup that is working for cash. The consumer typically will buy the lowest price firewood.
I have no idea how it is in MO. In the big corn field of Ohio probabley 90 percent of all firewood sales are on a cash bassis .At least that much is processed by the help working for cash.That's just the way things are in the real world .
All this talk of so called "professional " firewood cutters really has no bearing if you get right down to it .Somebody would have to define what makes a so called pro and why they think that way .Better still how would a person know by looking at a stack of wood who cut it ?
Nwp hit the nail on the head and the guy with the processor that we sell firewood logs to makes his living everyday processing an selling firewood (what a nice, hard working guy). One of the problems that is discouraging is (sideliners) deliver seasoned wood not really seasoned/punky over dried/not guite a cord etc..which encourage firewood burners to switch to pellets/gas etc.sorry don't mean to offend anybody
Sorry but should have said hacker instead of sideliner!my bad
If they help promote the use of wood and help promote business, how come I have never heard of it? I have been in the forest products industry for 13 years and this is the first. Not to be rude but, we do not need an association for every part of an industry. Lets limit the non useful associations and combine to forge one strong association that covers everything forest products related!
Okay sounds good but let me interject a thought here .
Most if not all tree men,loggers etc are fiercely independent.This talk while perhaps with some merit would be to some that same thing as a union of which most would be very oppossed to .
Now just a few years back there was a movement of certified arborists which might sound good but a majority of people in that business pretty much ignored it .
When you are dealing with something as basic as firewood I can't see from my perspective how in the world it would take some type of organizaton to be somewhat of a governing body over such transactions .
Again although I'm a skeptic on this I mean no malice towards it .I just don't think that dog will hunt .
Exactly....Part of my business is firewood sales, some sawing and some sharpening also coupled with teaching and cruising timber.
All these of which, if you have some sort of knowledge of anything, you can make work without an association involved.
A friend of mine processes over 1000 cords a year and sells them all over the state. I spoke with him this morning and he said "What association"? I think that this is completely unnecessary as a small part of the industry rather, a better association that coves many facets of the industry could be very helpful...killing many birds with one stone. All in all, all of my member ships have the same underlying point... Education to the public where as, if they were all working as one, the force would be greater and better controlled.
Memberships are fine but what do they actually gain us?
I think several here are misinterpreting what this association is about.
I suggested earlier in a post where I thought this association originated (back in the middle 70's when there was a flurry of activity selling wood burners). At that time a lot of misinformation was flying about and the manufacturers were feeling there was a need for some published materials that explained wood burning, different specs for different species of wood, and some information about what a wood burner could do, and what they couldn't do and how they should safely be hooked up in a home. IIRC that is what spawned this association.
The NFA had nothing directly to do with helping people sell their firewood, or promote their firewood business. As such, those in the firewood business likely have no earthly reason to know about or join National Firewood Association. But those selling firewood may have some interest in the activities of the NFA.
I don't think the NFA has anything to do with being Gov't created , but may have some lobbying power involved in keeping wood burners from being legislated out of existence (such as has happened in a few communities that have banned OWB's). If these bans grow to the state level or in the case of EPA to the national level, then maybe a strong NFA might have some lobbying clout to keep it from happening.
Edit: This was in error, and wrong recollection. Sorry, and I agree with others as to wondering about their missions' value.
About National Firewood Association
The National Firewood Association is the first and only organization dedicated solely to serving those involved with the production, distribution and sale of firewood in the United States. The NFA functions as a trade organization, collecting and sharing data related to the Firewood Industry, as well as offering marketing assistance and advice to those in the business of selling firewood.
NFA members have pledged to follow guidelines on sustainable forestry, respect transport restrictions due to invasive species, and provide professional, reliable service to their customers.
Specialties
Firewood Industry Research, Marketing Consulting, Legislative Review, Web and Social Network Marketing Services
Type
Privately Held
Company Size
1-10 employees
Founded
2012
Why such a tall membership fee?
My apologies, for the error in my recall. I should have googled that name as well. Sorry for the wrong recollect.
Can they list any accomplishments ???
Well yes ,one I can think of .Causing a lively debate on a web forum . ;D
What organization represents the wood burners/producers? Is NFA the only one?wish some one could help lift the silly band on out door wood furnaces around here!
prolly just 120$ to get an email every month reminding you not to transport ash to other counties and some schedule for when to cut your wood so it'll be ready for the next year or something.....doesn't seem like much of a help, no gain. seems like if anyone wanted to learn about firewood they could join this forum for free:)