Maine forest landowners are voicing serious concerns that losing federal support—such as funding from the USDA’s Climate-Smart Commodities program—could disrupt ongoing improvements in forest management and pose long-term challenges for one of the state’s most vital industries. This high-impact federal program is delivering the first meaningful, large-scale incentives in decades for commercial forest landowners to manage their lands for both economic productivity and environmental health. Losing it would not only jeopardize current projects—it could stall progress on long-term forest health, timber supply, and the economic stability of rural communities.
“As a 105-year-old family timber company, we’ve weathered many challenges—but what we’re facing now is unprecedented,” said Kyle Burdick, Woodlands Manager at Baskahegan Company in Brookton, Maine. “The CSC program won’t solve everything, but it helps keep contractors working, mills running, and our forests resilient.”
Maine’s forest products industry supports tens of thousands of jobs and contributes billions to the state’s economy. But it relies on a steady supply of high-quality timber and a healthy, resilient forest base. That’s exactly what this important USDA incentive program is supporting. By helping landowners invest in forest practices that enhance growth, resist pests, and adapt to climate change, these incentives position Maine’s forest industry to be competitive in domestic and global markets.
Without this program, landowners will lose critical resources designed to improve the long-term productivity and health of their forestlands.
“Practices like crop tree release or early commercial thinning can accelerate the growth of quality logs that companies like ours turn into building materials,” said Catherine Robbins-Halsted, Vice President at Robbins Lumber Company in Searsmont, Maine. “But when markets are as challenging as they are right now, it can be difficult to make those investments in future growth. Incentives from USDA make it more realistic for us to make these investments in growing more timber domestically.”
The forestry practices enabled by this program are proven to yield stronger timber markets and healthier ecosystems. But their benefits are long-term, while the costs are immediate and steep. That gap is precisely what the USDA program fills.
If funding is withdrawn, it would deliver a major blow to a sector already navigating market volatility, labor shortages, and the increasing threat of pests like the spruce budworm.
“The forestry practices that would be incentivized by USDA not only grow more high-quality timber faster, but they also help landowners shift the composition of tree species in ways that make forests less susceptible to damaging pests like the spruce budworm, which can cause hundreds of millions of dollars of economic losses,” said Brian Milakovsky, Senior Forester at New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF).
The ripple effects wouldn’t stop with landowners. Maine’s loggers, foresters, truckers, mills, and construction-related businesses would all feel the impact. The program is directly supporting workforce training and capacity-building at a time when these sectors are struggling to attract and retain skilled workers.
Beyond timberlands, the program’s investment in market development—including the rise of mass timber construction—offers new, long-term demand for Maine-grown wood. With global pressure mounting to reduce emissions from steel and concrete, Maine is well-positioned to lead the nation in renewable building materials—but only if supply can meet future demand.
NEFF Deputy Director Andrea Colnes said that between $11 million and $12 million from the award is dedicated to reimbursing Maine companies for forestry work. Landowners are urging USDA to ensure continued access to this funding to help ensure the production of American lumber and wood products in a way that sustains the long-term health of our forestlands.
New England Forestry Foundation
At the core of New England Forestry Foundation’s work stands the belief that both conserving forestland and practicing sustainable forestry are essential to preserving the beauty, prosperity, wildlife habitats, and unique character of our region for future generations. Our approach strives to serve and unite people and organizations across the region to support the long-term health of New England’s forests, and to guarantee their continued environmental, recreational, and economic benefits for all New Englanders.
For media inquiries or to speak directly with participating landowners or forestry professionals, please contact Andrea Colnes, New England Forestry Foundation, at 802-522-4347 or [email protected].