Cooperator proposes a strategic initiative to expand united states (U.S.) hardwood sample collection to support scientific verification of wood product origin at the U.S. State and county level

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service Washington Office Acquisitions awarded a Cooperative Agreement of $296,387.82 to Forest Service International Foundation on August 18, 2026, under the International Forestry Programs (CFDA 10.684).

The recipient will execute a strategic initiative to expand the United States hardwood sample collection to support scientific verification of wood product origin at the state and county level. The initiative combines mail-out kits managed by the National Hardwood Lumber Association to approximately 250 hardwood mills with targeted field collection trips to under-sampled counties, aiming to collect representative samples from 500 high-production counties by September 2028. Forest Service International Foundation will train partner organizations in standardized sample collection procedures and engage contractors and sub-recipients to manage and support sample collection from the broad distribution of domestic sites. The work enhances capacity for U.S. forestry stakeholders to meet emerging legal and regulatory requirements for supply chain transparency and origin verification.

Performance extends across the United States, with a period of performance from August 18, 2026, through January 31, 2029.

This initiative will enhance the capacity of united states forestry stakeholders to meet emerging legal and regulatory requirements for supply chain transparency and origin verification. The project will combine national hardwood lumber association managed mail-out kits to approximately 250 hardwood mills with targeted field collection trips to under-sampled counties in the united states with the goal to collect representative samples from 500 high-production counties in the united states by september 2028. Cooperator will equip partner organizations with training and standardized procedures for sample collection, engage contractors and subawards to complete this work as well as to manage and support the sample collection from the large distribution of domestic sites.