OWC is moving forward!

​By Neil Schroeder
 
Our activities this year have set records in many ways.  We have a large increase in membership. Our sales of equipment are accelerating.  Bough sales have increased.  More younger folks are joining our organization. Interest in protecting the environment is much more obvious in the membership.  Bundled firewood sales have nearly doubled!
 
On a negative point several members suffered losses from the terrible fires of last Summer and Fall and the ice storm this winter created severe losses to the woodlands of an even greater number of farms in our membership. Our customers have agreed to help us help our people.  New Seasons stores will sell bundles of firewood obviously retrieved from the burned forest. The ice damaged trees will also be converted to bundles and our customers want to tell their clientele how they are assisting tree farmers in recovery. Rebuilding Oregon forests is high on the list of goals for our members and our business partners.
 
SuperSplit log splitters and Logrite forestry tools are selling faster than the factories can fill the orders. We have enhanced our profits and gained new members through sales of these outstanding products.
 
Our membership continues to change in such a positive way.  If you could just look at a list of the job titles and occupations of each OWC person, you would share my enthusiasm.  Enjoy a conversation with another salesman or a physician or a horse breeder or cut flower grower or a logger or forester or CPA or attorney or teacher or veterinarian or policeman or artist or engineer or videographer or government inspector. You can imagine the considerable skills and qualifications of all, yet the common ground is our beautiful forests and keeping them healthy and productive.
 
Our dedicated members are willing to provide their resources to enhance and build the organization. Through volunteer efforts new customers have been found for firewood boughs and equipment. Videos made by our members are helping us gain new members and new customers.  We have some very creative people in our organization!

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