In this episode of The Landing, I sit down with Rex Lowther, Executive Director of Future Natural Resource Leaders (FNRL), to talk about what it really takes to grow the future of forestry—from the ground up.

Rex started logging at just 13 years old, worked his way through the industry, became a teacher, and now leads one of Oregon’s most important student leadership organizations focused on forestry and natural resources.

We dive into:

• How FNRL is shaping future leaders in the timber industry
• Why hands-on experience beats classroom theory every time
• The reality of forestry education—and why programs disappear
• The importance of public speaking, leadership, and getting outside your comfort zone
• How industry support directly impacts the next generation
• Rex’s journey from logging, to teaching, to leading a statewide program

This conversation is a real look at the people and programs working behind the scenes to keep the timber industry alive and thriving for the next generation.

In today's episode I sat down with Wayne, Justin and Richard from Axis forestry and got to talk about how business has been and what's new with Axis!

If you want to see what they have going on, or contact them with questions about how they can help get you back up and running, check them out on social media or hit their website https://axisforestry.com

In this episode I set up the podcast gear at my booth and had a wide variety of guests come through. It is a bit hectic, but I had a lot of fun talking with everyone!

In today's episode I sit down with Chris Melcher from Melcher Logging and talk about what it's like being a third generation logger working in a 70+ year old family business. We dive into what thinning can do for stand health and how technology has made their equipment as efficient as possible.

We hope to deepen everyone at the Oregon Logging Conference this year!

If you guys have seen "Manley Jobs" on YouTube, you know exactly who Blake is. Blake has spent a ton of time trying to help get the word out about this industry. By bringing the industry to our youth, through their schools, Blake is making a difference by showing kids that there are living wage jobs in the forest products industry.

We talk about Blake's background in the industry and where he's at now. The biggest thing I would like for people to take away from this podcast are two things: How you can get involved to help with growing the future of the timber products industry in our region and which organizations are here to help.

To check out Manley Jobs, hit the link here: https://www.youtube.com/@Manleyjobs

In today's. episode I sit down with Kelly Holt from Diversified Resources, Joe Schmidt and Rob Pentesco from Tigercat Industries. I would like to thank Ken from Tigercat for setting this up and everyone at Bejac for allowing us to borrow a table in their booth to record this episode.

We talk about how the LX825E came into existence and what sets it apart from the LX830E and any other machine currently available on the market.

Joe is part of the design team responsible for the new designed lower frame and Rob is part of the team that designed the new 4154-14 mulching head.

For more information on the LX825E, visit their website here: https://www.tigercat.com/product/lx825-feller-buncher/

For more information on what Kelly and Diversified Resources can do to help with your next project, check out their website here: https://www.driforest.com

If you're in Northern California and want more information about the Tigercat lineup, check out Bejac here: https://bejac.com/#gsc.tab=0

If you want to see this machine in person, it will be on display at the Sierra Cascade Logging Conference Feb 6th and 7th 2026. Friday until 5pm and Saturday until 2pm.

It will also be at the Oregon Logging Conference Feb. 19th, 20th and 21st 2026 in Eugene, Oregon.

If you see Kushiah tell him hello from the landing.

In this episode I sit down with the 2026 Sierra Cascade Logging Conference President Chris Chitwood and Second Vise President Zane Peterson. We talk about why they work so hard every year to put the show on and what they do as an organization to promote and support the logging and construction industries in the region.

We talk about how they raise money and what organizations get supported. Last year, the Sierra Cascade Logging Conference was able to fund scholarships to over 50 hard working future leaders totaling over $107,000 in scholarships alone.

For more information on the 2026 Forest Products and Construction Equipment Expo, visit their website: https://www.sclcexpo.com/expo/current-expo

Or find them on Facebook and Instagram!

In today's episode I chat with Brian Maas. The man, the myth,the three wheeler operator who has been referenced almost every episode I have recorded with guys from Northern California. Brian has been running these things for over 20 years, and you can tell when you see him working.

We talk about how Brian got into running these majestic machines and what keeps him going at it.

In today's. episode I chat with Rickey Covey and Sawyer Seth about how they came up in the industry and how they like being younger guys in the industry with real responsibilities.

We get into what it takes to run crews and what these guys like to snack on while they're work, you know, the really important stuff.

In today's episode I sit down with Frank, Kathie and Jonny Muse and talk with them about how they came to be the business they are today.

Frank and Kathie have worked together for many years, and they wouldn't want it any other way. Building and growing a business for them has always been about family, treating their employees and customers right, and never being a single service outfit.

We also talk about their involvement in the Sierra Cascade Logging Conference and how they've grown strong connections between industry and the community through their work with the SCLC. The annual Forest Products and Construction Equipment Expo will be held at the Shasta District Fair & Event Center in Anderson, California from Thursday February 5th to Saturday February 7th, 2026. The area will be filled with vendors from all sides of the industry, a log loading competition and an excavator rodeo. You won't want to miss this event.

I would like to thank Frank, Kathie and Jonny for taking time out of their busy day to sit down and chat with me.