From Service to Stewardship
How One Veteran Built a Thriving Timber Business
Photos and story by Andrea Haines
When Eric Abernathy left the U.S. Army, he carried with him discipline, adaptability, and an appreciation for structure. Those qualities later became the backbone of his success in forestry, where he carved out a career that balances business expertise with stewardship of the land.
Eric is the owner of Abernathy Forest Resources, LLC (AFR), which he launched in 2005 after working for another timber business and realizing he wanted to branch out on his own. With a degree in Forest Technology from Pennsylvania College of Technology, Eric combined his technical training with his love for the outdoors.
“I realized early on I’d rather be in the woods than in a classroom,” says Eric. “Now, I get to be a teacher in a different way, educating producers and clients about the types of logs and products we aim to provide.”
Starting AFR wasn’t easy. Eric refinanced his house and rental property, saving enough to make the downpayment needed to get the business moving. Traditional banks were hesitant to support a small, specialized forestry business, but Eric’s prior experience, reputation for hard work, and honesty persuaded suppliers to give him leniency while he built up momentum. “I was careful not to overreach,” he recalls. “Just close enough to what I needed to make it work.”
By 2006, AFR was exporting logs overseas. Today, Eric’s company ships to China, Vietnam, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Canada, to name a few. Each log is carefully selected, graded, barcoded, and tracked from supplier to yard and then shipping container. At home, Eric also owns Abernathy’s 179, which manages 393 acres of forest land in Pennsylvania and New York, giving his business both stability and the ability to supplement inventory when markets fluctuate.
When a company Eric once was prior employed at went bankrupt in 2007, it opened the door for AFR to grow. He hired a yard manager, brought in steady employees, including his father after retirement, and steadily expanded.
“The people around me have been a big part of the progress,” Eric notes. “It takes the right team to make it work. You have to have dependable people at the home base to be able to spend as much time on the road with customers as I do. I am lucky to have long-term employees in key positions that care about the success of the company as much as I do.”
Eric’s Army service played a pivotal role in shaping his adaptability. As a 54B Nuclear Biological Chemical Specialist, he trained soldiers in detection and safety. That experience gave him discipline, focus, and the ability to adapt quickly — skills he uses daily in forestry
“The timber business can be solitary,” he admits. “But it requires precision, patience, and the ability to communicate with landowners, loggers, and buyers. Those skills all channel from my military years.”
In 2018, Eric turned to Farm Credit for financing. Unlike big banks, Farm Credit understood forestry’s unique challenges and opportunities. Their flexible approach gave Eric the ability to invest in timberland for long-term stability.
“Forestry and farming are two sides of the same coin,” Eric says. “Sometimes you cut down to make room for new growth, and in the long run, the land is healthier. Farm Credit understood that, and it made all the difference.”
Eric Masters, Farm Credit Ag Relationship Manager, admires Eric’s thorough planning. “Having a detailed plan helps us move quickly to get customers the support they need,” he explains. “Eric comes prepared, which makes the partnership strong.”
Part of Eric’s success comes from his practicality. He hasn’t spent heavily on trucks or machinery — instead, he looks for reliable equipment that will get the job done without overspending. It’s another example of how his steady, disciplined approach keeps the business competitive.
Eric has also expanded his business in recent years to offer mulching and land clearing services, and partner with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to reduce invasive species. As he looks to the future, his vision is steady growth that is sustainable and supports both the forests and his community.
From soldier to forester and risk-taker to business owner, Eric Abernathy’s journey is proof that resilience and hard work can turn challenges into opportunities. With Farm Credit at his side, he’s continuing to grow a business rooted in longevity, discipline, and respect for the land.