This agreement will expand the pace and scale of critical and expert-level technical assistance provided to the wood products manufacturing industry

Award Overview

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service awarded a $1 million Cooperative Agreement to the United States Endowment For Forestry And Communities, Inc. on August 17, 2025, under the Wood Utilization Assistance program (CFDA 10.674). This five-year agreement, extending through July 31, 2030, will expand the pace and scale of critical technical assistance provided to the wood products manufacturing industry. The award supports initiatives designed to strengthen domestic wood processing capacity and advance sustainable forest management practices.

Deliverables and Impact

Through this cooperative agreement, the Endowment will deliver expert-level technical assistance to wood products manufacturing facilities across the United States, with a focus on supporting active forest management, reducing wildfire risks through improved market demand for wood products, and generating family-supporting employment in rural communities. The organization's expertise in wood utilization technologies, manufacturing capacity development, and collaborative initiatives—demonstrated through prior work with universities and national forestry organizations—positions it to advance wood products market expansion while promoting economic and environmental sustainability in forest-dependent regions.

These domestic manufacturing facilities provide essential, local markets that support active forest management, reduce wildfire risks, and generate family supporting jobs that strengthen rural communities.