No endorsement of these products or services by 4-H is implied or intended.

The American Forest Foundation

The American Forest Foundation® (AFF) works on-the-ground with families, teachers and elected officials to promote stewardship and protect our nation’s forest heritage. A commitment to the next generation unites our nationwide network of forest owners and teachers working to keep our forests healthy and our children well-prepared for the future they will inherit. AFF works nationwide and in partnership with local, state and national groups to provide hands-on support for America’s 10 million family forest owners, giving them the tools they need to manage healthy and sustainable woodlands. To find out more about AFF click here.

Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals

The Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (ANREP) is a professional society for natural resource Extension professionals. Its mission is to bring Extension professionals together to discuss mutual natural resource issues, needs, and opportunities; to advance natural resource Extension through continuing education for Extension professionals; to promote cooperation among states and regions, agencies, associations, and businesses on natural resource education programs; to develop, sponsor, and promote education and training that advance natural resource management, and to strengthen communication with Extension administrators. To find out more about ANREP click here.

The Farm Credit System

Farm Credit supports rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services, today and tomorrow. Farm Credit has been fulfilling its mission of helping these areas grow and thrive for a century by providing farmers with the capital they need to make their businesses successful and by financing vital infrastructure and communication services. Because a steady flow of capital means more jobs and economic growth, Farm Credit is able to invest in the vibrancy of communities throughout rural America. For more information about Farm Credit please visit farmcredit.com.

F&W Forestry

F&W is an international forest resource management and consulting firm dedicated to helping landowners gain the most value and enjoyment per acre from their forestland. We believe that environmentally viable timberland is economically viable timberland. F&W is a privately owned forestry company headquartered in Albany, Georgia, with more than 50 years experience and more than 100 advanced-degree professionals operating in forests throughout the U.S., South America and Europe.

NIFA & Cooperative Extension Service

The National 4-H Forestry Invitational is recognized as the national event in 4-H forestry by the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The event is managed by a team of qualified and dedicated Extension Educators, U. S. Forest Service personnel, state forestry agency foresters, and volunteer leaders. This event is part of the 4-H youth program administered and run by the Cooperative Extension System.

The Cooperative Extension System is a nationwide, non-credit educational network. Each U.S. state and territory has a state office at its land-grant university and a network of local or regional offices. These offices are staffed by one or more experts who provide useful, practical, and research-based information to agricultural producers, small business owners, youth, consumers, and others in rural areas and communities of all sizes.

The National Woodland Owners Association

The National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA) is a nationwide organization made up of non-industrial private woodland owners with offices in the Washington DC area. NWOA understands, assists, and joins together people who are stewards of wooded lands and care deeply about the future of forests, forestry and land use. Their staff and board are passionate woodland owners and foresters dedicated to the health, maintenance and sustainability of all forests. Membership includes landowners in all 50 states and Canada and also includes affiliations with 36 state and 287 county woodland owner associations throughout the United States. Founded in 1983, NWOA is independent of the forest products industry and government forestry agencies. NWOA works with all organizations to promote non-industrial forestry and the best interests of woodland owners. To learn more click here

The Society of American Foresters

The Society of American Foresters (SAF) is the national scientific and educational organization representing the forestry profession in the United States. Founded in 1900 by Gifford Pinchot, it is the largest professional society for foresters in the world. The mission of the Society of American Foresters is to advance the science, education, technology, and practice of forestry; to enhance the competency of its members; to establish professional excellence; and, to use the knowledge, skills, and conservation ethic of the profession to ensure the continued health and use of forest ecosystems and the present and future availability of forest resources to benefit society. SAF is a nonprofit organization meeting the requirements of 501 (c) (3). SAF members include natural resource professionals in public and private settings, researchers, CEOs, administrators, educators, and students. Since 1900, the Society of American Foresters has provided access to information and networking opportunities to prepare members for the challenges and the changes that face natural resource professionals. To find out more about SAF click here.

Southern Regional Extension Forestry

In 1979, the thirteen Southern 1862 Land-Grant institutions and the USDA Forest Service signed a cooperative agreement creating the Southern Regional Extension Forester (SREF) position to serve as a liaison role between the USDA Forest Service and the thirteen Extension Forest Resources units in the South. The position has evolved into a regional programming, representation, promotion, and communication role within the forestry and natural resource communities regionally and nationally.

The goal of the SREF Office is to identify, prescribe, and implement a mix of education and technical services that increase the efficiency of forestry programs in the southern United States. The SREF Office facilitates programming among professionals who work on numerous issues and opportunities facing the forestry and natural resources communities. To find out more about SREF click here.

Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc.

SFI Inc. is a fully independent, charitable organization dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management. SFI Inc. works with conservation groups, local communities, resource professionals, landowners, and countless other organizations and individuals who share our passion for responsible forest management. Find out more about SFI Inc. here.

USDA Forest Service State & Private Forestry Southern Region

The State and Private Forestry (S&PF) organization of the USDA Forest Service reaches across the boundaries of National Forests to States, Tribes, communities and non-industrial private landowners. S&PF is the federal leader in providing technical and financial assistance to landowners and resource managers to help sustain the Nation’s forests and protect communities and the environment from wildland fires.

State and Private Forestry programs bring forest management assistance and expertise to a diversity of landowners, including small woodlot, tribal, state, and federal, through cost-effective, non-regulatory partnerships. The staffs play a key role, along with others within the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior, in implementing the National Fire Plan to manage the impacts of wildland fires on communities and the environment. To find out more about USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry click here.

WestRock

WestRock has a long history of entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation. That history includes game-changing developments in papermaking, packaging design and retail solutions, as well as strategically building and strengthening the company's capabilities over time. With operations around the world and expertise in every shopping category, WestRock focuses on working with brands to help them win across the board by providing an unbeatable portfolio of paper and packaging products.

West Virginia University Extension Service

WVU Extension Service educators and volunteers build and help sustain collaborations and partnerships with people and organizations in West Virginia, to improve their lives and communities. WVU's programs and services strengthen leaders of all ages, youth, and families. We develop and teach best practices for sustainable agriculture, for responsible use of renewable resources, and stewardship of natural resources. We work to improve our state’s communities, workforce, and the economy. To find out more about WVU Extension Service click here.