Photos by Terry Miller
The American Walnut Manufacturers Association (AWMA) met recently at the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermens Association Convention. AWMA conducted its annual business meeting and members reported robust markets. Members indicated that both domestic and international markets were very good but they are faced with challenges in transporting their products both on land and water. Members are concerned about the rising costs of doing business and the lag time associated with receiving necessary materials, such as equipment parts and packaging materials.
Labor was identified by all members as a real concern and it is hampering the ability to increase production to meet demand.
AWMA Executive Director Brian Brookshire spent time informing members about the organization’s totally refreshed and restructured website www.walnutassociation.org and the advantages that the site should provide members in the future. AWMA President Matt Yest spoke to members about Iowa DNR’s increased trapping efforts for Walnut twig beetle. Iowa DNR is partnering with USDA APHIS to focus trapping efforts at
Walnut processing locations to determine if Walnut twig beetle is present in their state.
AWMA members welcomed new president, Bill Long of Midwest Hardwoods, to lead the Association for the next two years. Rob Kukowski, of Kamps Hardwoods, was elected vice president and will also serve a two-year term. AWMA members thanked Matt Yest for his service and leadership as president over the past two years and look forward to him continuing to serve on the Executive Committee for the next two years.
Learn more at www.walnutassociation.org.
