CONTACT: Kris Voorhees, kvoorhees@forestfoundation.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rita Hite, president & CEO of the American Forest Foundation, issued this statement following the Senate’s confirmation of Brooke Rollins as secretary of agriculture:

“Family forest owners, and the 220 million acres of woodlands they steward across rural America, play a critical role in providing economic and environmental opportunity to their communities. Scaling market-based solutions that invest in forest health and productivity can help these rural communities thrive and tackle the growing threats these lands and communities are facing. We’re excited to work with Secretary Rollins to advance both traditional and emerging markets that improve the health and productivity of our nation’s woodlands.

We are especially appreciative of Rollins’ prioritization of quickly and efficiently allocating the recently authorized disaster and economic aid and of passing a farm bill. We look forward to working with Secretary Rollins and USDA in this administration to create meaningful impact for family forest owners, their lands, and rural America.”

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About The American Forest Foundation

The American Forest Foundation (AFF) is a national conservation organization that empowers family forest owners to make meaningful conservation impact. The organization’s flagship program, the Family Forest Carbon Program, helps landowners implement forest management practices to protect the health of their woodlands and help the planet. To learn more about the American Forest Foundation and the Family Forest Carbon Program, visit www.forestfoundation.org/carbon.