SAU Tech was approved by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) on Friday, January 26, 2018, to begin offering a degree in forestry harvesting.  The College has been working on preparations for the program for almost two years. The demand for employees to fill positions in the logging and forestry processing industry in the south Arkansas area was the driving force behind the development of the new program.

Arkansas Senator, Trent Garner, stated that “It is great news for south Arkansas that the new forestry technician program will be at SAU Tech. The program will provide opportunities for careers in one the largest industries in our area.”  SAU Tech Chancellor, Dr. Jason Morrison, Matt Stone, owner of Stone Timber, and John Dawson III, owner of Arkansas Pulpwood, all attended the ADHE session that included the presentation and subsequent program approval for SAU Tech.

Matt Stone has been strong in his support for the program saying, “SAU Tech’s Forest Harvesting Technician degree will allow men and women to come into the forest industry with the skills to succeed.” Stone also spoke on behalf of SAU Tech during the ADHE session. He reiterated the need for technicians who would get out in the woods and do hands-on work. John Dawson III has supported the creation of the program since the beginning and stated that “our industry needs people with a good work ethic in the field. This new opportunity at SAU Tech will help train qualified employees to fill an immediate need in south Arkansas.”  Dr. Morrison said he included Stone and Dawson in the ADHE session as he felt it was important for the decision-makers to understand the industry need directly people who work directly in the industry every day. 

The program will be delivered starting in the fall semester. Anyone wanting more information on the program can call 870-574-4717 or contact the program advisor by email at bellis@sautech.edu.

www.sautech.edu/programs-degrees/forestrytech