FRA’s 2026 Lake States Region Outstanding Logger Award Winner
GREEN BAY, WI — September 29, 2026 — The Forest Resources Association (FRA), in partnership with John Deere, honored J&A Logging of Wright, Minnesota, as the recipient of the 2026 Lake States Region Outstanding Logger Award. FRA presented the award at its 2026 Joint National and Lake States Region Fall Meeting at the Hotel Northland in Green Bay, WI.
FRA’s Outstanding Logger Award recognizes exceptional independent logging contractors who demonstrate professional excellence in logging safety, environmental stewardship, business management, and community involvement. The award program elevates industry leaders, encourages peers to model best practices, and strengthens relationships among loggers, foresters, and landowners.
FRA’s Lake States Region Consultant, Josh Burling, got things started by welcoming Carl Lockhart of John Deere to the podium. Lockhart shared why John Deere is proud to sponsor the Outstanding Logger Award and recognized the critical role loggers play in the forest products supply chain. Carl recognized that John Deere jumped at the opportunity to support the Outstanding Logger Award as they look to recognize outstanding logging companies that embody the values this award was created to honor: safety, professionalism, environmental stewardship, and commitment to the future of the forest products industry. Carl then welcomed Ray Higgins, Executive Vice President, Minnesota Timber Producers Association, to the podium.
Ray recognized J&A Logging as the 2026 Lake States Region Outstanding Logger Award winner. He shared a presentation and remarks recognizing the Anderson family’s three-generation logging legacy and J&A Logging’s reputation for safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible harvesting. His presentation highlighted the company’s careful road construction, small landings, strong utilization, adaptability to changing site conditions, and trusted relationships with foresters and landowners.
Jesse Anderson, who was present in Green Bay to accept the award on behalf of J&A Logging, was then presented with an engraved cherry and black walnut cross-cut saw plaque and a generous award check provided by John Deere. The recognition honors the Anderson family and the entire J&A Logging team for their shared commitment to safe operations, sound forest management, and dependable service to landowners, agencies, and regional mills.
“I like the woods. That’s where I wanted to be. I liked being my own boss and not having a lot of people around,” said John Anderson, founder of J&A Logging.
The award also recognizes the multigenerational character of J&A Logging. John Anderson began logging before graduating from Cromwell High School and purchased his first skidder around 1985. His son Jesse grew up working alongside him, joined the business full-time after technical school and construction work, and today continues the family tradition with the third generation. The company operates a four-person conventional harvesting crew supported by three drivers.
A quote from Eric Schram, Procurement Forest at Sappi, who was also present at the event, was emphasized during Ray’s presentation: “J&A Logging represents three generations of the Anderson family that has proven they care about what they do in and out of the woods.” “J&A Logging exhibits proper forest management implementation, runs a safe and successful family business, and promotes proper, sound, sustaining forest management.”
J&A Logging
J&A Logging is a third-generation, family-owned conventional logging business based in Wright, Minnesota. Founded by John Anderson and carried forward by his son Jesse and grandson Jacob, the company employs seven people—four in harvesting operations and three hauling timber to regional mills—and produces approximately 62,000 tons of sawtimber, pulpwood, and biomass annually. J&A Logging is recognized for an exceptional safety record, careful implementation of Minnesota’s Forest Management Guidelines, outstanding road and landing construction, and a willingness to suspend operations when site conditions could harm the land. The Anderson family also supports its community through 4-H, Wright Lutheran Church, the local volunteer fire department, local businesses, and Wright’s annual “Wrong Days” festival.
About Forest Resources Association (FRA)
FRA is an association representing the interests of more than 300 organizations and businesses in the forest products industry, including forest landowners, suppliers, consuming mills, associated businesses, and state forestry associations. Members all share a common interest – they rely on FRA to promote the public policy interests of the forest products industry’s supply chain on Capitol Hill and our work to advance safety, operational and technical efficiencies, and supply chain relations. FRA has member representation in 49 states and 384 Congressional Districts.
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