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What is ASD?
Appalachian Sustainable Development is a not-for-profit community development organization committed to strengthening the health of the economy, the community, and the environment in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. Our service region includes Dickenson, Wise, Russell, Lee, Scott, and Washington counties of Virginia and Hancock, Hawkins, Sullivan, and Greene counties of Tennessee.
What is the Sustainable Forestry & Wood Products Program?
This program, a part of ASD, has two goals: to improve forest practices in the area and to encourage local processing of forest resources in order to add value and create jobs. This is accomplished through the assisting of private forest landowners and through the production of kiln dried lumber at our Sustainable Woods processing center in Castlewood, VA.
Why is ASD willing to help me?
Our goal of "improving forest practices in the area" is accomplished by working individually with forest landowners. It is through working with individual landowners, like yourself, that we are trying to accomplish this goal, acre by acre.
What will ASD do for me?
Initially, an ASD forester will provide a free consultation, walking through your property and discussing your goals for it. Upon agreeing to work with ASD, a management plan will be developed based on your goals and ASD's Standards for Sustainable Forest Management. If a timber harvest is warranted, a forester will assist you in setting up the sale, identifying suitable loggers for the job, and overseeing the sale. When ASD buys the logs from your property for processing at the "Sustainable Woods" processing facility, you will receive a premium above what is being paid locally for the various tree species. The wood that is sold to ASD will be marketed as wood harvested from sustainably managed forests.
What's in it for ASD?
Through the careful management of your property, and by buying the wood from a timber sale, ASD is accomplishing its two main objectives of promoting sustainable forestry and encouraging local processing of wood.
Will I give up any of my property rights?
You will not give up any of your property rights by signing a working agreement with ASD. The purpose of this agreement is to show your intention of managing your forestland for the long-term with ASD, but it is not legally binding.
What do I need to work with ASD?
Because of the time necessary to prepare the comprehensive management plan, a minimum of 10 acres is necessary to enroll it in the program. You must have an interest in long-term forest management.
What are my obligations?
Once you become a participant of ASD's Sustainable Forestry and Wood Product's program, it is expected that you make a good effort to follow the management prescriptions as outlined in the plan (which is based on your input). At the time of a harvest, it is expected that ASD would be the buyer of the wood.

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