Grant-Writing to Support Innovation, Sustainability, and Training of the Next Generation
Through our specialized grant-writing services, we have helped secure more than $20 million for our regional partners to achieve significant wins in wood products innovation, forest education, business development, and long-term resource land stewardship.
Recent Wood Innovations Grant Successes
In 2026, RRS worked with forest products businesses and industry partners on another round of successful USDA Forest Service Wood Innovations Grant applications.
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Devereaux Sawmill, Inc. — Michigan
We worked with Devereaux Sawmill on its 2026 Wood Innovations Grant application to support continued expansion and investment in its Michigan sawmill operations.
The U.S. Forest Service awarded Devereaux $300,000 to expand sawmill production capabilities by more than 3 million board feet annually, contributing to domestic timber production in Michigan.
We also assisted Devereaux with a proposal submitted to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Although the project was not selected through the original Rural Development Fund Grant Program, MDARD’s evaluation committee recommended the proposal for funding through the Economic Development for Food & Agriculture Grant Fund Program.
Cooper & Sons Timber, LLC — Wisconsin
We prepared a 2026 Wood Innovations Grant application for Cooper & Sons Timber to support improvements to the company’s sawmill operations.
The Forest Service awarded the project $194,699 to upgrade sawmill processing technologies and increase production capacity in Wisconsin.
Missouri Forest Products Association — Missouri
RRS also worked with the Missouri Forest Products Association on its 2026 Wood Innovations Grant proposal. The Forest Service awarded MFPA $300,000 to establish a state wood use team focused on expanding forest products markets and supporting active forest management in Missouri.
This project follows other RRS work in Missouri, including the Missouri Shortleaf Pine Utilization Assessment, which identified opportunities to expand markets for Missouri-grown shortleaf pine. A business plan developed through that work was later used as the basis for a federal grant that brought $1 million to the state to increase utilization of shortleaf pine.
Together, the Devereaux, Cooper & Sons Timber, and Missouri Forest Products Association projects received $794,699 in 2026 Wood Innovations Grant funding.
These recent successes build on our previous grant-writing work with clients such as Ottawa Forest Products and our continued support for forestry education and workforce development projects. Our goal is to help clients develop strong projects, identify the right funding opportunities, and move good ideas from planning to implementation.
Expanding Forestry Education at Forest Park School
In partnership with Forest Park Schools, we worked with VanOss Forestry to coordinate a major school forest event in 2025 that engaged nearly 300 participants — including over 250 students, in grades 6-12, teachers, conservation professionals, and industry leaders.
Hands-on learning stations featured contributions from the Michigan DNR, U.S. Forest Service, Iron/Baraga Conservation District, American Bird Conservancy, NRCS, MSU Forestry Technician Program, Shamco, and VanOss Forestry, who also serves as the school forester. Students explored tree identification, forest management, conservation law, wildlife, forest sector careers, and wood products manufacturing.
The event was supported in part by the John E. Force Forestry Education Fund, which helped cover costs to make the trip possible. The collaboration between RRS, VanOss Forestry, Forest Park School District, local partners and industry professionals, along with JEFFEF funding, gave students a firsthand look at how sustainable forest management, industry innovation, and education all work together in Michigan’s forest sector.
“This trip helped me see that forestry isn’t just about trees — it’s about people, wildlife, and keeping things balanced,” remarked one excited Forest Park High School student. “I could really see myself doing this kind of work some day.”
Supporting the John E. Force Forestry Education Fund
We also continue to work closely with the Sustainable Resources Institute (SRI) on the John E. Force Forestry Education Fund. Since its creation in 2015, JEFFEF has supported over 3,000 students with more than $15,000 in funding for forestry education, including field trips, classroom resources, and improvements to public forest areas.
The fund honors the legacy of consulting forester John E. Force, who dedicated his career to teaching young people about forestry and natural resources. Contributions to the fund can be sent to the Sustainable Resources Institute, 337 Superior Avenue, Crystal Falls, MI 49920, and are fully tax deductible.
