Growing with the Future: Across the Yard with Allison Deford, NAFF S04EP11
Fri Feb 06 2026
This episode is for anyone in the forestry and building materials industries who are interested in attracting more youth or general public into the industry, and how you can get involved in the effort.
The industry is facing a significant skills gap due to a lack of youth interest and new hires, but people are taking action. So, what can we do about it?
In this week’s episode of Across the Yard, Liz Kovach sits down with Allison DeFord, Executive Director at the North American Forest Foundation (NAFF), to discuss NAFF’s initiatives on educating the public about the forestry industry. They discuss NAFF’s “Truth About Trees” teaching kit, a free, renewable resource for K-5 classrooms, as well as an exciting new educational app for junior high students that could impact millions of students, teachers, and parents. They also touch on ways companies can get involved in these efforts.
Tune in for an insightful conversation about how we can all play a part in raising awareness and fostering a future workforce in the forestry and building materials sectors.
Enjoy the show!
Links:
Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/
Allison DeFord: linkedin.com/in/allisondeford
North American Forest Association: https://northamericanforestfoundation.org/
Canopy Club: https://northamericanforestfoundation.org/canopy-club/
Sponsor info:
This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by Durabuilt Windows & Doors.
Take the next step to grow your business at durabuiltwindows.com
Also brought to you by HiLine Treated Wood by West Fraser.
Elevate inventory, elevate sales.
Learn more at hilinetreated.com
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This episode is for anyone in the forestry and building materials industries who are interested in attracting more youth or general public into the industry, and how you can get involved in the effort. The industry is facing a significant skills gap due to a lack of youth interest and new hires, but people are taking action. So, what can we do about it? In this week’s episode of Across the Yard, Liz Kovach sits down with Allison DeFord, Executive Director at the North American Forest Foundation (NAFF), to discuss NAFF’s initiatives on educating the public about the forestry industry. They discuss NAFF’s “Truth About Trees” teaching kit, a free, renewable resource for K-5 classrooms, as well as an exciting new educational app for junior high students that could impact millions of students, teachers, and parents. They also touch on ways companies can get involved in these efforts. Tune in for an insightful conversation about how we can all play a part in raising awareness and fostering a future workforce in the forestry and building materials sectors. Enjoy the show! Links: Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/ Allison DeFord: linkedin.com/in/allisondeford North American Forest Association: https://northamericanforestfoundation.org/ Canopy Club: https://northamericanforestfoundation.org/canopy-club/ Sponsor info: This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by Durabuilt Windows & Doors. Take the next step to grow your business at durabuiltwindows.com Also brought to you by HiLine Treated Wood by West Fraser. Elevate inventory, elevate sales. Learn more at hilinetreated.com