Minnesota Wood Education Project

Upper Midwest Wood Product Firms Receive FSC-COC Certification

2011-02-06T22:23:00.002-06:00

Six Firms Ready to Supply LEED & Green Building Projects with Certified Products

Contact: Gary Winget, 651-223-5629, Gary@TrueNorthCertified.com

On January 26, the True North Certified Forest Products Network announced that the Network has added six new member firms to its FSC Chain-of-Custody group certification program. These firms manufacturer an array of products from wood originating in well-managed FSC certified forests or from reclaimed/recycled sources.

"As increasing numbers of architects, builders, remodelers and homeowners are looking to build sustainably and applying for LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) certification," states Tony Elvig of Old Globe Reclaimed Wood Company. "The True North Network's group certification program offered us the opportunity to achieve FSC certification in timely and cost-effective manner."

The FSC certification allows the six companies to sell FSC-certified and labeled products ranging from lumber and timbers, to flooring and paneling, to cabinetry and closet systems, to shingles and SIPs.

"Our business is focusing on local, sustainably harvested white cedar products," according to Hobart Fin of White Cedar Shingles & Lumber. "The FSC certification assures customers that they come from well-managed forests."

Persons interested in more information about finding FSC certified suppliers or companies inquiring about becoming FSC-COC certified may contact the Network at 1-651-223-5629, email Info@TrueNorthCertified.com, or visit the Network's website at www.TrueNorthCertified.com.

The True North Certified Forest Products Network offers small-to-medium size primary and secondary manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of forest-based products access to membership in a group FSC Chain-of-Custody certification program. The True North Network is a program of the Minnesota Wood Education Project, a non-profit organization committed to increasing awareness of the value of sustainable management of our forests and improving the economies of our communities.

The Forest Stewardship Council is an international organization that supports and promotes forest management standards that are environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable.

The firms that are new members of the True North Network are: Old Globe Reclaimed Wood Company (www.oldglobewood.com), Southern Minnesota Woodcraft (www.smwood.com), White Cedar Shingles & Lumber (www.whitecedarshingles.com), Real Closet (www.realcloset.com), Extreme Panel Technologies (www.extremepanel.com), and Pine Valley Cabinet Company (www.TrueNorthWoods.com).

True North FSC Forestland Certification Program

2009-11-24T10:04:00.001-06:00

Manufacturers of Wood Products and Owners of Forestland
Prepare for Economic Rebound with FSC Certification
Ready to Supply LEED & Green Building Projects with Local and FSC Certified Products

Gary@TrueNorthCertified.com / www.TrueNorthCertified.com

ST. PAUL, Minn. (4 November, 2009) – On November 4, the True North Certified Forest Products Network and the True North Certified Forestland Network announced that the Networks and their members had received FSC Chain-of-Custody and/or Forest Management certification for an array of products manufactured from wood originating in well-managed FSC certified forests or from reclaimed/recycled sources.

The “great recession” may have dented the sales of wood products, but wood product manufacturers and forestland owners are preparing for the economic rebound with the awarding of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.

Persons interested in more information about finding FSC certified suppliers, or manufacturers and forestland owners inquiring about becoming FSC certified, may contact the Network at 1-888-223-5629, email Info@TrueNorthCertified.com, or visit the Network’s website at www.TrueNorthCertified.com.

“As increasing numbers of architects, builders, remodelers and homeowners are looking to build green and applying for LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) and MN GreenStar certification,” states Jeff Forsythe of Nordecor in Brainerd, “I felt that it was time to prepare our company to serve this growing market segment through FSC certification. The True North Network offered us the opportunity to achieve FSC certification in a quick and very resourceful manner. It was also timely in that we are now one of the few companies of our type that has been awarded the new FSC Recycle certification, thus allowing us to certify the authenticity of our reclaimed barn-wood line.”

The FSC certification allows the manufacturers and forestland owners to sell FSC certified and labeled products ranging from timber and lumber, to flooring and paneling, to cabinetry and custom furniture, to architectural millwork and staircase components, to fireplace mantels and art doors, to log siding and decking.

“Our business is focusing on local, green, quality wall and ceiling hardwood paneling products,” according to Tom Brand of Grand Arbor in St. Paul. “The True North Woods® certification assures customers that our products come from Minnesota forests, and the FSC certification assures customers that they come from well-managed forests.”

The True North Certified Forest Products Network offers primary and secondary manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of forest-based products access to membership in a group FSC Chain-of-Custody certification program. The True North Certified Forestland Network offers forestland owners access to membership in a group FSC Forest Management certification program.

The Forest Stewardship Council is an international organization that supports and promotes forest management standards that are environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable. The Networks are a service of the Minnesota Wood Education Project and were developed with the assistance of Dovetail Partners.

True North Certified Forest Product Network, Certification Code SCS-COC-002432.
True North Certified Forestland Network, Certification Code SCS-FM/COC-000119G.

True North FSC Group Certification Program

2009-11-24T09:58:00.001-06:00

Minnesota Manufacturers of Wood Products
Prepare for Economic Rebound with FSC Certification
Twelve Firms Ready to Supply LEED & Green Building Projects with Certified Products

Gary@TrueNorthCertified.com / www.TrueNorthCertified.com

ST. PAUL, Minn. (June 18, 2009) – The “great recession” may have dented the sales of producers of wood products, but twelve Minnesota firms are preparing for the economic rebound with the awarding of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for their wood-based products.

On June 18, the True North Certified Forest Products Network announced that the Network and its twelve member firms had received FSC Chain-of-Custody certification for an array of products manufactured from wood originating in well-managed FSC certified forests or from reclaimed/recycled sources.

“As increasing numbers of architects, builders, remodelers and homeowners are looking to build green and applying for LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) and MN GreenStar certification,” states Jeff Forsythe of Nordecor in Brainerd, “I felt that it was time to prepare our company to serve this growing market segment through FSC certification. The True North Network offered us the opportunity to achieve FSC certification in a quick and very resourceful manner. It was also timely in that we are now one of the few companies of our type that has been awarded the new FSC Recycle certification, thus allowing us to certify the authenticity of our reclaimed barn-wood line.”

The FSC certification allows the twelve companies to sell FSC-certified and labeled products ranging from lumber and timbers to flooring and paneling, to cabinetry and custom furniture, to architectural millwork and staircase components, to fireplace mantels and art doors, to log siding and decking.

“Our business is focusing on local, green, quality wall and ceiling hardwood paneling products,” according to Tom Brand of Grand Arbor in St. Paul. “The True North Woods® certification assures customers that our products come from Minnesota forests and the FSC certification assures customers that they come from well-managed forests.”

Persons interested in more information about finding FSC certified suppliers or companies inquiring about becoming FSC certified may contact the Network at 1-888-223-5629, email Info@TrueNorthCertified.com, or visit the Network’s website at www.TrueNorthCertified.com.

The True North Certified Forest Products Network offers small primary and secondary manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of forest-based products access to membership in a group FSC Chain-of-Custody certification program. The Network is a program of the Minnesota Wood Education Project, a non-profit organization committed to increasing awareness of the value of sustainable management of our forests and improving the economies of our communities.

The Forest Stewardship Council is an international organization that supports and promotes forest management standards that are environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable.

The firms that are members of the Network are: Bemidji Millworks, Bemidji (www.bemidjimillworks.com), Creative Sawmilling & Products, Bovey (www.truenorthwoods.com/tnw.ashx), Duluth Timber Company, Duluth (www.duluthtimber.com), Fallsburg Woodworking, Little Falls (www.fallsburg.net), Forest Specialties, Golden Valley (www.forestspecialtiesinc.net), Grand Arbor, St. Paul (www.grand-arbor.com), J.W. Beltman Woodworking, Nashwauk (www.truenorthwoods.com/tnw.ashx), Kukkeli Kuu Naturalists, Bovey (www.truenorthwoods.com/tnw.ashx), Nordecor, Brainerd (www.nordecor.com), True North Cedar, Duluth (www.truenorthcedar.com), Wille Logging, Puposky (www.willellt.blogspot.com), and Woodmax, Paynesville (www.woodmax.net).

True North FSC Certification Program

2009-04-13T17:07:00.002-05:00

New certification program will assist Minnesota producers, manufacturers and distributors of forest-based products
True North FSC Certification Program aims to offer wider access to “green” market niche

A Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) group certification program is being organized for Minnesota producers/manufacturers/distributors of wood and forest-based products and owners of forestland by the Minnesota Wood Education Project in cooperation with True North Woods®.

The Project’s True North FSC Certification Program will allow participating members to access and supply a growing, higher-value, green market segment niche – architects, builders and remodelers, property developers, and homeowners seeking to have their projects certified under the national LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or statewide MN GreenStar certification programs. A prime example of a recently completed LEED project in Minnesota is the Great River Energy headquarters building in Maple Grove that was awarded the first platinum LEED certification in the state this past October.

The current economic downturn is impacting most industry segments, but the forest-based industries that supply the building industry were among the first and most severely affected.

Large and small companies alike are feeling the impact of the current recession. “Just keeping our small forest-based businesses alive during this deep recession,” according to John Rajala of Rajala Companies, “is a major challenge. Obtaining FSC certification and access to the LEED and MN GreenStar market segments is part of a short- and long-term strategy to both survive the current downturn and position ourselves to take advantage of this market segment when the housing industry starts to rebound.”

The new Administration’s focus on developing a new energy policy is expected to, among other things, lead to the increased use of the LEED and MN GreenStar certification programs as well as more local, green forest products. Ron Hanson, president of the Minnesota Wood Education Project, states that “the time is right to open up increased access to FSC certification for our Minnesota forest product producers and to position ourselves for increased access to the local and green market segment in Minnesota and the surrounding states.”

Without being FSC certified, Minnesota forest-based businesses are excluded from consideration as suppliers to LEED and MN GreenStar building projects that are sourcing FSC certified products. With FSC certification, businesses participating in the True North FSC Group Certification Program will not only gain immediate access to existing green building projects but also position themselves to reap increasing benefits when the economy recovers and the building industry starts to rebound.

Producers/manufacturers/distributors of wood and forest-based products, as well as owners of forestland, interested in learning more about FSC certification, should contact the Minnesota Wood Education Project at info@TrueNorthCertified.com or 1-888-223-5629. For additional information email visit www.TrueNorthCertified.com.

BACKGROUND INFOMRATION

About True North FSC Group Certification Program. The program seeks to increase the utilization of Minnesota forest-based products in LEED and MN GreenStar building and remodeling projects in Minnesota and within a 500 mile range of Minnesota by assisting individual producers/manufacturers and owners of forestland (1) obtain FSC certification and (2) market their FSC certified products to architects, builders and remodelers, property developers and homeowners.
About Forest Stewardship Council. The group is an international organization that supports environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests. www.fscus.org.

About Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The program is a national Green Building Rating System for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. LEED addresses all building types and emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies in five areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resources selection, and indoor environmental quality. www.usgbc.org.
About MN GreenStar. The program seeks to transform the Minnesota residential building industry into one where healthy and sustainable building practices are understood, economically advantageous and socially desirable. www.mngreenstar.org.

About Rajala Companies. The company owns and cares for 35,000 acres of northern Minnesota forestland and for 85 years has been producing high-quality lumber and millwork for local, national, and international customers. www.rajalacos.com. Email jarajala@rajalacos.com.

About Minnesota Wood Education Project. The group is a non-profit organization committed to raising awareness of the value of sustainable management and harvesting of our northern forests and to improve the economies of our forest-based communities. The group was founded in 2004. www.MinnesotaWoodEducationProject.com.

About True North Woods®. True North Woods is a certification brand program of the Minnesota Wood Campaign that producers/manufacturers use to promote the natural qualities and sustainability of Minnesota’s northern forest-based products and the talents of the people who make them – local, green, quality products. www.TrueNorthWoods.com.

North Woods Workshop Series Registration Form

2007-08-28T12:09:00.000-05:00

Workshop Series Registration Form
North Woods Workshop Series 2007: Bottom-Line Marketing and Sales for Forest-Based Producers -- Marketing & Selling Your Products and Sustainability Messages

Business Name ____________________________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________
City/St/Zip_______________________________________________________
Tel_________________________
Fax________________________
Email___________________________________________________________

Enter names of Attendees from your business
Enter the number and letter (e.g. 1A) for each workshop in which the Attendee will participate. Workshop numbers can be found in the brochure in the previous post.
1st Attendee Name_____________________________Workshop #s_________
2nd Attendee Name_____________________________Workshop #s________
3rd Attendee Name _____________________________Workshop #s________
4th Attendee Name _____________________________Workshop #s ________
5th Attendee Name _____________________________Workshop #s ________
Total Number of Workshops for all Attendees _______
Cost per workshop $20
Total Before Discount $______
Discount (Less 25% of above "Total Before Discount" ONLY if above"Total Number of Workshops" is 4 or more.) $______
Total After Any Discount $______

Paying by: [ ]Check or [ ]Credit Card
Make check payable to North Woods Workshop Series.
Credit Card Number:______ ______ ______ ______ Expires:___________Signature:___________________________________________________
Minnesota Wood Education Project and Minnesota Wood Campaign, Inc.26 E. Exchange, Suite 405 / St. Paul, Mn 55101Tel 1-888-223-5629 / Fax 1-651-222-5263 / Email MnWoodEducaton@aol.com

North Woods Workshop Series 2007 / Workshop Information

2007-08-24T15:47:00.000-05:00

North Woods Workshop Series 2007
A program of the Minnesota Wood Education Project and Minnesota Wood Campaign with support from Goods from the Woods

1. Understanding the Green Movement: benefits and costs of green programs
Assessing the market demand for sustainable forest-based products. Exploring certification programs – Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI), American Tree Farm System, Green Tag, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Minnesota Green Home Building Program, Green Globes. Evaluating your certification benefits, cost, and options. Next steps. Presenter: Timothy Smith. Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota, Department of Bioproducts & Biosystems Engineering / Director of the Forest Products Management Institute.
[ ] 1A: Tuesday, September 25. 8:00 a.m. Virginia
[ ] 1B: Tuesday, September 25. 2:15 p.m. Grand Rapids
[ ] 1C: Wednesday, September 26. 8:00 a.m. Bemidji
[ ] 1D: Wednesday, September 26. 2:15 p.m. Brainerd

2. Creative Marketing & Sustainability: unconventional strategies for marketing sustainability
Your goals, benefits offered and competitive advantage, targeted customer markets, market niche, market identify, marketing tactics, marketing resources. Your sustainability key messages. Taking action – tactics, timetable, resources. Next steps. Presenter: Susan Martin. Trainer for the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund / Owner of the Moosebirds General Store.
[ ] 2A: Tuesday, October 2. 8:00 a.m. Virginia
[ ] 2B: Tuesday, October 2. 2:15 p.m. Grand Rapids
[ ] 2C: Wednesday, October 3. 8:00 a.m. Bemidji
[ ] 2D: Wednesday, October 3. 2:15 p.m. Brainerd

3. Salesmanship & Sustainability: becoming more effective at selling sustainability
Telling your story – your product, your company, and sustainability. Starting a sales relationship – prospecting for leads, networking, first contacts. Closing the sale – understanding wants and needs, value over price, sustainability, answering objections. Taking care of the customer. Nest steps. Presenter: Sherry Frick. Owner of Minuteman Press Grand Rapids / Chapter President of Business Network International.
[ ] 3A: Tuesday, October 9. 8:00 a.m. Virginia
[ ] 3B: Tuesday, October 9. 2:15 p.m. Grand Rapids
[ ] 3C: Wednesday, October 10. 8:00 a.m. Bemidji
[ ] 3D: Wednesday, October 10. 2:15 p.m. Brainerd

4. Product Branding & Promotion: breaking into high-value, niche markets
Power of the niche – know yourself, see yourself in context, fit, capabilities, focus, commitment. Branding your value – message, image, sustainability, four-step process. Promoting your brand – the story, differentiation, delivery. Certification brands – True North Woods®. Next steps. Presenter: Allison Rajala Ahcan. General Manager of the Minnesota Wood Campaign / Founder of True North Public Relations.
[ ] 4A: Tuesday, October 16. 8:00 a.m. Virginia
[ ] 4B: Tuesday, October 16. 2:15 p.m. Grand Rapids
[ ] 4C: Wednesday, October 17. 8:00 a.m. Bemidji
[ ] 4D: Wednesday, October 17. 2:15 p.m. Brainerd

5. Getting a Return from Trade Shows: strategic thinking for trade show marketers
The power of shows – picking the right shows, visualizing outcomes and measuring success, purposefully designing your booth, contacts, prospects, leads, characteristics of the successful staffer, basic booth behavior. Profitable exhibiting – proven four-step selling system, a personal pre-show plan, the relationship continuum, collecting critical data, follow-through. Next steps. Presenter: Mike Mraz. Representative for Skyline Displays / Certified Trade Show Marketing Trainer and Principal of Exhibiting Excellence.
[ ] 5A: Tuesday, October 23. 8:00 a.m. Virginia
[ ] 5B: Tuesday, October 23. 2:15 p.m. Grand Rapids
[ ] 5C: Wednesday, October 24. 8:00 a.m. Bemidji
[ ] 5D: Wednesday, October 24. 2:15 p.m. Brainerd

6. Building a Selling Web Site: just do it
Getting started – review your marketing plan, find a unique domain name, select a website host, identify the website features, consider a shopping cart and payment processor. Setting up the web site – home page, company, products, certifications and endorsements, contacts, ordering, etc. Optimizing for search engines – keywords, submitting, linking, sponsored links. Next steps. (Pre-registration recommended. There will be pre- and post-workshop assignments for setting up and optimizing your web page.) Presenter: Don Bremer. Trainer for the University of Minnesota Duluth, Center for Economic Development / Founder of Donneray Consulting.
[ ] 6A: Tuesday, October 30. 8:00 a.m. Virginia
[ ] 6B: Tuesday, October 30. 2:15 p.m. Grand Rapids
[ ] 6C: Wednesday, October 31. 8:00 a.m. Bemidji
[ ] 6D: Wednesday, October 31. 2:15 p.m. Brainerd

7. Issues in Sustainable Management & Harvesting: maintaining quality and quantity over time
Managing the land. Harvesting -- use of the whole tree, allocating the tree to its best use, maintaining productivity of the soil, avoiding erosion, providing nutrients, renewing seed source, maintaining native forest, harvesting at maximum growth. Fitting into the green movement. Next steps. Presenter: Keith Jacobson. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry
[ ] 7A: Tuesday, November 20. 8:00 a.m. Virginia
[ ] 7B: Tuesday, November 20. 2:15 p.m. Grand Rapids
[ ] 7C: Wednesday, November 21. 8:00 a.m. Bemidji
[ ] 7D: Wednesday, November 21. 2:15 p.m. Brainerd

To register for one or more workshops, call 1-888-223-5629 or email MnWoodEducation@aol.com. The fee is $20 per workshop.