Wood buildings meet budget and rigorous safety requirements, can be erected quickly, and provide a lower carbon footprint, says Softwood Lumber Board.

The Secretary of Agriculture announced a partnership agreement between the Softwood Lumber Board (SLB) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help coordinate research, demonstration projects, and market development for innovative wood building technologies in the built environment throughout the United States.

Atlanta-based contractor Joel Harper was named the winner today of the Wood, Naturally Build and Design Sweepstakes, a nationwide call for submissions of outdoor living and interior design projects using softwood lumber.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed seven members to serve on the Softwood Lumber Board. Members will serve a 3-year term of office beginning Jan. 1, 2015.

Continued advances in cross laminated timber (CLT) and wood framing techniques now make wood high-rises practical. A key enabling technology are adhesives.