I grew up in south Arkansas and realize the importance of the timber industry. As goes that sector of the economy, so goes south Arkansas. Sawmills closing and jobs being lost have been much more common than modern facilities being built. In September, almost 200 people who are involved in the Southern timber industry will gather for two days in Texarkana. …Matthew Pelkki directs the Arkansas Center for Forest Business, which is housed on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Pelkki describes “a wall of wood” across the South and states that “our forests aren’t healthy.” Attendees will discuss what to do with that wall of wood. …Michael Blazier is dean of UAM’s College of Forestry, worries that we’re growing trees a lot faster than we’re harvesting them in Arkansas….If there’s any good news, it’s the new Weyerhaeuser facility and the way UAM has stepped up its research and education efforts.