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Lumber owner urges long-term policy for forestry, cites $29.1 billion annual contribution
Summary
Tracy Middleton of Middleton Lumber Company described multigenerational forestry and lumber production, noting the family business produces over 7,000,000 board feet annually and saying forestry contributes $29.1 billion to Tennessee's economy, and urged policy that recognizes long time horizons for forestry.
Tracy Middleton, who owns Middleton Lumber Company and Mill Creek Land And Cattle, told the committee that forestry and hardwood production require long-term thinking and policies that reflect multi‑decadal timelines. "Forestry is a major part of Tennessee agriculture and it contributes $29,100,000,000 into the state's economy each year," Middleton said, and described the family's sawmill operations that produce more than "7,000,000 board feet of lumber each year."
Middleton framed forestry as a generational crop that may not be harvested for 30 to 40 years after planting and asked lawmakers to consider policies and investments that support that long horizon. She also noted her family's participation in global markets and youth agriculture programs that sustain future producers.
