There comes a point in any young man’s life when he needs to leave the nest and fly on his own, get out from his father’s shadow and establish himself as his own man, with his own story to tell, his own trails to blaze. It’s a normal, healthy final step in the assertion of independence that is the process of becoming an adult. Brandon Rampey, 31, came to that place two years ago when he left his father’s traditional logging operation and started his own company: Renewable Energy Innovations, Inc.

The forest products industry has long touted the fact that wood or some derivative thereof is used in the production of literally thousands of products. But the rapid-fire announcement of dozens of proposed wood-based bioenergy projects in recent years has caused quite a stir. For loggers and wood suppliers, long in the trough of this recession, it offers renewed hope for recovery and a return to profitability. But it has also stirred up the henhouse, bringing out the Chicken Little naysayers who declare the end of resource sustainability, runaway stumpage costs and unfair competition.

Rain or shine, the once relocated and twice delayed Timber & Biomass Expo Southeast is a go for June 11-12 near Valdosta, Ga. Delayed by poor markets induced by an unraveling economy, and again by prolonged rainfall, the event has gained momentum as both markets and the economy have stabilized and improved.

As Hurricane Katrina churned in the Gulf of Mexico in August 2005, third generation tree farmer Osmond (Oz) Crosby made reservations to fly into New Orleans the day after the storm made landfall. He knew regardless of where it came ashore, Katrina would impact his Mississippi tree farm. That flight, of course, was diverted to Jackson, Miss., where Crosby loaded a rental van with water, ice, baby food and other supplies, and drove south to his hometown of Picayune, Miss.

For the past 19 years I have worked on the insurance side of the forest industry. Prior to that I grew up in a family logging operation, which I eventually owned outright. I would never pretend to grasp all there is to know about either. I will say, however, that adequate insurance coverage is a key element for any logging business.

The houses mill wives lived in approximated country standards. Homes in the quarters closely resembled the better sharecropper houses on area cotton farms. Most mill families lived in homes similar in size and amenities to those of tenant farmers “on thirds and fourths,” and the housing of the blue-collar elite approximated the country standards of small land­owners, complete with cow barns and chicken houses.

A Japanese company and an American company decided to have a canoe race on the Mississippi River. Both teams practiced long and hard to reach their peak performance before the race. On the big day, the Japanese won by a mile.

As I write this in late April, winter is still hanging on in the high country. We have had a skiff of snow the last few mornings. I don’t know if winter is getting longer or as I get older I just notice it more. I tend to stay by the fire a little longer and look for excuses not to go outside till it warms up.

John Deere has released its E-Series wheeled harvesters and forwarders to North America following an initial launch in Europe. They’re designed with stronger frames than their predecessors and equipped with rotating and leveling cabs, offering 360˚ of visibility. The automatic air-conditioning of the new cab, top-quality upholstery, low noise and vibration levels and a wide range of additional accessories ensure first-class operation.