Sponsor the Virginia Lumber Cup

Put Virginia Hardwood Into Student Hands

Help schools across the Commonwealth turn locally sourced lumber into real projects, real skills, and public recognition for the next generation of makers.

Greene FFA built a greenhouse-style display using spacer-stick hardwood material.

Support Hands-On Woodworking, CTE, and Virginia Forestry

The Virginia Lumber Cup is a statewide student woodworking challenge created through the partnership of The Turman Group, Virginia Farm Bureau / Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, and the State Fair of Virginia.

In 2026, 28 schools across Virginia competed, transforming locally sourced Appalachian hardwood into original projects now showcased in the Virginia Lumber Cup gallery.

Sponsor support helps expand access to materials, strengthen school shop and CTE programs, and connect students with the economic and cultural importance of Virginia's forest products industry.

28 Schools across Virginia competed
2 Student divisions recognizing middle and high school makers
150 Hardwood bundles available through the inaugural guide
$21B+ Annual industrial output tied to Virginia forestry and wood products
What Students Built

Sponsor Support Becomes Visible Student Work

These projects show the range of craftsmanship, problem solving, design, agriculture, woodworking, and presentation skills the Lumber Cup brings into public view.

What Sponsorship Supports

Your Support Moves the Whole Program Forward

The Lumber Cup works because partners help connect schools, materials, public recognition, and industry awareness in one practical program.

Hardwood Materials

Sponsor support helps make quality Appalachian hardwood available to schools that may not otherwise have access to enough material for substantial builds.

Student Skill Building

Students practice planning, measuring, tool use, joinery, shaping, sanding, finishing, presentation, and problem solving through real projects.

CTE and Shop Programs

The program gives instructors and advisors a public-facing challenge that strengthens classroom learning and celebrates technical education.

Forestry Awareness

Students see the direct connection between Virginia forests, hardwood materials, makers, manufacturers, and wood products careers.

Statewide Recognition

Regional judging, division awards, People's Choice voting, gallery features, and State Fair visibility give students a larger audience.

Community Pride

Schools, families, local judges, sponsors, Farm Bureau networks, and community supporters all become part of the finished project story.

Close-up of a glossy wooden canoe showing the shaped gunwale, spacer-stick strip construction, and side joinery.
Why It Matters

Students Are Building More Than Projects

The Virginia Lumber Cup gives students a reason to work with real material, make design decisions, solve build problems, and present the results to judges, schools, sponsors, and the public.

That experience matters for workforce development. Forestry and wood products are major Virginia industries, and the Lumber Cup gives students a hands-on introduction to the chain connecting forests, landowners, sawmills, manufacturers, designers, builders, and customers.

For sponsors, the program offers a visible, education-centered way to invest in skilled trades, rural economies, sustainable forestry, agricultural communities, and the next generation of Virginia makers.

Sponsor Levels

Choose a Level of Support

Every sponsorship level helps expand student access, strengthen school participation, and grow the statewide reach of the Virginia Lumber Cup.

Seedling Partner

$500

Help provide foundational materials and locally sourced lumber that allow students to begin meaningful hands-on woodworking projects.

Sapling Partner

$1,000

Support expanded school participation and practical classroom resources for middle and high school shop, CTE, FFA, 4-H, and related programs.

Canopy Partner

$2,500

Help underwrite regional challenges, strengthen judging and recognition, and give top student makers a stronger public platform.

Legacy Sponsor

$5,000

Provide major statewide support for the future talent pipeline of Virginia's forest products industry with premier program recognition.

Custom sponsorship conversations are welcome for companies, organizations, and partners who want to support specific materials, regions, awards, or statewide program growth.

Who Should Partner

A Strong Fit for Education, Forestry, Trades, and Community Partners

The Lumber Cup is built for organizations that want to support practical skills, Virginia hardwood, school programs, and public recognition for student work.

  • Forest products companies
  • Sawmills and wood manufacturers
  • Tool and equipment suppliers
  • Building trades organizations
  • Farm Bureau offices
  • Workforce development boards
  • Community colleges and trade schools
  • CTE foundations
  • Rural economic development groups

Invest in the Next Generation of Virginia Makers

Partner with the Virginia Lumber Cup to help provide materials, expand participation, and strengthen the connection between schools, woodworking, agriculture, forestry, and Virginia's wood products economy.

Contact Us to Sponsor