Northern Logger Magazine

We’ve come a long way, baby, but not far enough. Forestry is, and has historically been, a male-dominated field. Women currently make up only 15% of forestry and conservation workers, but not from a lack of interest. Fifty years ago, women struggled to be accepted into forestry programs based on their gender alone. Even today women contend with sexist professors who tell them they “aren’t strong enough” or they “don’t look like a forester.” It is not surprising then that women make up only 23% of undergraduate students enrolled in forestry programs. For women who do graduate with forestry degrees, some experience gender biases during the hiring process and find it difficult to get hired.

Dave Jelinek is young for being in the business 73 years. “I always used to say that I’ve been in the business 73 years – and they’d say, well, you don’t look 93,” he joked. But there’s not really a better way to summarize the years he’s spent involved in the family business, Jelinek Trucking. Supposedly, his involvement goes all the way back to getting his diaper changed in the front seat of the log truck. Much of his childhood was spent being dragged along on logging jobs. Although Dave did go to vocational school for a degree in diesel mechanics after high school, he never wanted anything other than to work alongside his dad in the woods.

On the international trade front, many in the forest products industry – hardwood producers in particular – are very concerned about what will happen with export markets as President-Elect Donald Trump takes office. During his election campaign, Trump promised to impose tariffs of at least 60% on Chinese goods, 25% on Canada and Mexico, and 10-20% on other countries. The last time Trump was in office, he imposed hefty tariffs on Chinese goods. China retaliated with their own tariffs on US hardwood products destined for markets there.

For a young person finding their way in the world, joining a branch of the US military has often been a path to gaining valuable life skills, on-the-job training, and a multitude of career opportunities. Two loggers, now in their 30s and early 40s, both from rural Vermont, have traveled around the world serving and fighting for America and have found themselves back in the woods. Here, they share their stories and the valuable lessons they’ve learned.