Matthew Pelkki

MONTICELLO, Arkansas — As Arkansas enters 2026, forest industries, much like agriculture, are facing important and difficult challenges. Declining timber harvests are contributing to overstocked forests and the increasing threats of insect infestations, disease outbreaks and wildfires – risks that threaten both economic stability and public safety. At the same time, prices for standing timber continue to decline, with pine sawtimber and pulpwood prices at their lowest point in the last 25 years. In 2025, wood manufacturing facilities… were closed or idled, causing further strain on rural economies. There are three primary ways to address the renewal of our forest products industries in Arkansas: Strengthening timber markets, improving rural roads and training the forestry workforce for the future. Arkansas needs to develop stronger markets for fiber from small-diameter trees and sawmill residues. …Biochar offers a promising solution for both the forestry and poultry industries. …Wood pellets, used for energy production, represent another potential market.