About AFG

Australian Forest Growers is the national association representing and promoting private forestry and commercial treegrowing interests in Australia.  If you grow trees commercially for wood or non-wood products, or you would like to, Australian Forest Growers can help you.

Australian Forest Growers

• is a national association with branches in all states (AFG Branches)
• is the only national organisation representing and promoting the interests of private forestry and farm tree growers
• has credibility with Governments as the national voice of private forest growers
• is run by a voluntary Board of growers, supported by a small paid professional staff based in Canberra

AFG Members

• grow trees for timber and other products and benefits, on small and large holdings, on farms, in plantations and in private native forests
• include farmers and foresters, plantation investors and investment companies, researchers, consultants, tree and equipment suppliers, industrial forestry companies, urban dwellers with rural land, small block holders, and tree growing enthusiasts
• Apply for membership  -  browse AFG's Articles of Association

Communication and Information

• Australian Forest Grower, quarterly journal provides technical, economic and market news and information
• Special publications, such as: technical papers on a wide range of forestry issues, and Biennial Conference proceedings
• National Biennial Policy Forum
• National Biennial three day conference
• Regional field days and seminars
• A national farm forestry information service, www.farmforestline.com.au

Representation and Lobbying

AFG actively represents its members and all private forestry interests to the appropriate levels of government.

Current priorities are:

• Private Forestry Policy
  • Climate change and Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme;
  • Maintenance of a comprehensive policy statement booklet;
  • Codes of forest practice for private growers;
  • Fair and supportive tax treatment of private forestry;
  • Land use planning that protects the rights of private forest growers to plant, regenerate, manage and harvest;
  • Legally separate title for trees and land 'forestry rights';
  • Inventories of private forests. 
     
• Markets and Marketing
  • Development of domestic industries;
  • Better private grower access to domestic and export markets;
  • Support for treegrower cooperatives and regional coordination;
  • Development of an internationally recognised sustainable forest management certification standard/s
     
•  Skills and Knowledge
  • Research and development priorities and extension;
  • Better forestry skills among farmers and rural communities;
  • Pest and disease mitigation.

Other AFG Services Include: 

• Plantation insurance (since 1984) at competitive premiums with reputable and reliable insurers;
• AFG National Treefarmer of the Year Awards;
• Pruned Stand Certification scheme, to help growers to negotiate premium returns for their pruned clearwood logs;

ARTICLES

 What has AFG achieved for private forest growers? 194.01 Kb

 Australian Forest Development Institute and Australian Forest Growers Origins and Purposes 94.29 Kb
by Michael Hall