Contact:
Matt Widen
Director of Forest Policy
Minnesota Forest Industries
218-576-7864
mwiden@MinnesotaForests.com
(June 9, 2026) – J & A Logging of Wright, Minnesota, has been named the 2026 Minnesota Logger of the Year by the Minnesota Sustainable Forestry Initiative(r) (SFI) Implementation Committee (MN SIC).
The award was presented to Jesse, Jacob, and John Anderson at the Minnesota Logger Education Program’s Loggers Conference in Virginia, MN, in April.
The Logger of the Year Award recognizes outstanding independent logging contractor performance with the purpose of honoring Minnesota’s competent professional independent logging contractors. The selection committee found that J & A Logging is recognized by their peers for professionalism, commitment to sustainable forestry, use of best business management practices, trade organization involvement, fostering excellent landowner and forester relationships, and for their exceptional community outreach activities.
“The Anderson family is actively engaged in their local community, the Minnesota Timber Producers Association (TPA), and maintain excellent working relationships with foresters and private landowners,” said MN SIC Vice Chair Cody Crawford of Sappi North America. “We are honored to recognize the Anderson family’s multi-generational contributions to outstanding forestry in Minnesota.”
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative(r) is a forest sustainability certification organization operating in the U.S. and Canada that works across four pillars: standards, conservation, community, and education. With third-party forest certification, SFI has developed standards of good forest management. Independent auditors ensure that forest operations comply with those standards. SFI has certified more than 370 million acres to its standard in the United States and Canada. Minnesota has the second highest certified forest land base in North America.
J & A logging now joins a long list of great Minnesota Loggers that have been conveyed this award. They will now be entered into the competition for the Forest Resources Associations Regional Outstanding Logger of the Year, and if successful will also compete for the national award. Many past winners have earned both of these distinctions, proving that Minnesota loggers are known nation-wide for their professionalism and dedication to sustainable forestry.
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The Minnesota SIC includes representatives from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Sappi, Potlatch Rayonier, West Fraser, UPM-Blandin, Packaging Corporation of America, Louisiana Pacific Corporation, The Conservation Fund, Molpus Woodlands Group, the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Logger Education Program, Society of American Foresters, American Bird Conservancy, Ruffed Grouse Society, Minnesota Forestry Association, Minnesota Forest Resources Partnership, and SFI-certified county land departments.
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