Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Jeremy Williams
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
There are approximately 59 million maple trees within Kentucky’s extremely dense forest. The availability of these trees are beginning to show signs of a new enterprise across the state to help drive economic growth for farmers, foresters and landowners. Maple syrup production has a long history, but in 2016, the Harlan and Letcher County Agriculture and Natural Resources agents worked with maple syrup producers to develop a Kentucky Maple Syrup School. The following year, tha
Author: Lacey Kessell
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a host of challenges across the world. With country-wide and state-wide shut downs led to a decrease in the workforce which led to many individuals and families unexpectedly being home and unsure about future income. This increase of time off and not a lot of money come in led people to do activities outside, such as camping, hiking, etc. National and State Parks such as the Great Smokey Mountain National Park, Daniel Boone National Forest, Red
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
The fourth annual Kentucky Maple School, hosted by the UK Cooperative Extension Service agents and specialists, was transitioned to a virtual format to insure public safety while continuing to advance Kentucky's developing maple syrup industry. Agriculture & Natural Resources agents, Shad Baker and Jeremy Williams, worked with the UK Forestry Department to coordinate the technical components, advertise the meeting, and recruit the speakers. Topics included growing your operation from 25
Author: Jeremy Williams
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Kentucky’s timber industry depends on Certified Master Loggers to keep the timber economy strong. Kentucky Master Logger certification allows the loggers to work with landowners and saw mills to get the product to market. Due to the pandemic, that demand has been higher than usual. Without the certification, those loggers can’t perform their jobs and meet the objectives of the industry. The Master Logger must receive six hours of continuing education credits,
Author: Tyler Miller
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
I had the opportunity to present the Master Loggers Continuing education hours to a small group of loggers in and around Lincoln County. This was a daylong event and the lively hood of these individuals hanged on this presentation. Due to COVID, many other locations that had planned to show this training had cancelled. I wanted to help the industry as well as the loggers themselves so i made sure that i was able to show the training they needed. I made contacts that i normally would not have and
Author: DJ Scully
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
The Kentucky Community Assessment completed in 2019 indicates that citizens desire more qualified leaders to prepare the community for the future. Across the commonwealth, this was the 2nd highest rated issue overall.The Environmental Stewardship Grant program created by the Campbell County Extension Agent for Natural Resources and Environmental Management and funded by the Campbell County Extension District Board provides resources for cities, schools, and other community organizations to imple
Author: Robert Kirby
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
On February 23, 2021, by following CDC requirements, a Kentucky Master Logger Program was conducted for loggers to receive their required 6 hours of continued education. 16 loggers from Knox and surrounding counties came to the Knox County Extension Office to participate, get their required hours and update their Master Logger cards.Segments of the training included market updates, new industry market locations, Kentucky forest industry economic update, ash loss, ambrosia beetle devaluatio
Author: Tracie Goodman
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
McCreary County has three lumber yards and 29 active certified Master Loggers. During the Covid-19 Pandemic, I was able to provide continuing education training to 14 Master Loggers in collaboration with McCreary Hardwoods. Since March of 2020, the McCreary Extension Office has not been permitted to use our rented facility for in-person programming. McCreary Hardwoods generously offered their meeting room to accommodate any Master Logger who needed continuing education training in order to renew
Author: Susan Fox
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Native plants are of interest to many gardeners and people that enjoy the outdoors and natural resources. Native plants support a healthier ecosystem than non-native plantings as the relationships between plants, insects, animals, and fungi have developed over millions of years. Native plant program efforts included the following:This year, a Lyon County Master Gardener and the Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources worked together on a presentation for the statewide “Hortic
Author: Daniel Allen
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
According to the University of Wisconsin research learning outdoors increases a student’s physical, mental and social health and coupled with environmental education this can lead to increased school performance. In April the Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent partnered with Erlanger Elsmere School’s Bartlett Education Center for trail work and outdoor learning at the Durr Education Center. These students worked to blaze trails, establish education stations, and erad
Author: Adam Huber
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Allen County Extension Tree Giveaway Allen County has a vast landscape from flat crop fields, rolling hay and pasture fields to dense hardwood forest. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, 21% of Allen County’s landscape is considered to be woodlands. Providing more trees in our woodlands and home landscapes beautifies the scenery and allows wildlife to thrive. 2020 has not been a normal year for anyone. COVID19 struck the country in March and people have not been able to
Author: Heather Graham
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
The Extension Service is a place for all people to receive information- whether it’s about the insect they find in their garden; how to improve their soil, can their garden veggies, prepare for retirement; or ways to improve their leadership skills. The Wolfe County ANR Agent receives a variety of client questions throughout the year, but several of those questions revolve around timber and forested lands. According to the 2017 Census for Agriculture, 45% of the fa
Author: Gregory Comer
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
The timber industry in Ohio County is of major economic importance to both landowners, with about 49% of the county’s landmass still in trees, as well as, employers, with 7 wood industry facilities in the county. Kentucky’s largest primary wood industry, Dunaway Timber, is also located in the county. These primary wood industries are supported by the 50-60 Master Loggers located in Ohio County, which must maintain a level of educational CEU’s t
Author: Shawn Wright
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Working with the Department of Forestry and local Extension we produced an episode of From the Woods Today focusing on Ginseng production. Five Minute Ginseng Videohttps://youtu.be/dy0J7g-CEi0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy0J7g-CEi0 Full-length Ginseng Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9VMXiy0fqo
Author: Darren Morris
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Research has indicated that white oaks are not regenerating in numbers necessary to maintain healthy upland hardwood forests throughout the Central United States. In 2018 an LSR grant in support of the White Oak Initiative was approved with the goal of maintaining healthy upland oak forests by providing outputs such as oak silviculture guidelines, trainings for foresters, and landowner friendly informational guides to healthy white oak management.This year, the “Phase 2” LSR gr
Author: Lacey Kessell
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Forest conversation is recognized as one of the most serious threats to Kentucky forests. Nearly 48% of Kentucky is covered by woodlands and 88% of those are owned by private landowners. Kentucky forests provide significant community benefits in ecological services such as clean water, wildlife, aesthetic beauty and recreational activities, free of charge. In an effort to decrease the demand to clear out woodlands for traditional farming practices, it is vital for woodland mana
Author: Laurie Thomas
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Kentucky 4-H Virtual Forestry Field Day Laurie Thomas, Senior Extension Associate, Forestry and Natural Resources ExtensionThe Kentucky 4-H Forestry Field Days looked a little different this past year but we did not want to miss the chance to share with the youth of Kentucky the importance and enjoyment of our trees and forests so we created the Kentucky 4-H Virtual Forestry Field Day. The purpose of the Virtual Forestry Field Day is the same as the in-person field days that are traditional
Author: Ellen Crocker
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Forests are central to Kentucky’s economic and ecological wellbeing. The state is 47% forested with over 12 million acres of woodlands and the forest sector contributes over $13.5 billion annually to the state’s economy including over 60,398 jobs. The vast majority of woodlands in the state are family owned. Supporting these woodland owners is key and Extension specialists and county agents across the state, partnering with agencies like Kentucky Division of Forestry as w
Author: Ellen Crocker
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Woodlands are extremely important to the economic and ecological wellbeing of Kentuckians. The state is 47% forested with over 12 million acres of woodlands and, collectively, the forest sector contributes over $13.5 billion annually to the state’s economy and impacts over 60,398 jobs. The vast majority of woodlands in the state are family owned. Supporting these woodland owners is key and Extension specialists and county agents across the state, partnering with agencies like K
Author: Ellen Crocker
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Forest are key to Kentucky’s economic and environmental wellbeing. The state is 47% forested with over 12 million acres of woodlands and, collectively, the forest sector contributes over $13.5 billion annually to the state’s economy and impacts over 60,398 jobs. However, a range of insects, diseases, invasive plants, and other issues threaten the sustainability of our forests, woodlands, and urban trees. For example, the invasive emerald ash borer alone is estimated to cost Ken
Author: Ellen Crocker
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
The Kentucky Master Naturalist (KYMN) program was developed by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension with valuable input from stakeholders at public and private organizations whose interests align with the mission of the KYMN program. The mission of the KYMN program is to develop a cohort of well-informed volunteers to advance education, research, and outreach efforts dedicated to the conservation and management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the C
Author: Ellen Crocker
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
In both woodland and urban settings, dealing with tree health questions is difficult and a regular challenge for Extension agents. Diagnosing tree problems is essential to improving tree health but doing so requires understanding the biology of trees, the various biotic and abiotic issues that can cause them harm, site issues, and history. In the fall of 2019, several specialists and associates (Crocker, Gauthier, Larson, Fountain, and Leonberger) worked together to offer a one-day tree he
Author: Chad Niman
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
In 2020, 7 programs were delivered covering hardwood grading systems, hardwood lumber inspection, cant product specs, material handling, defects and characteristics, wood drying, and hardwood markets targeted forest and wood industry training for sawmill and wood industry employees. The trainings allowed 1 business to get up and going, and 4 others to be able to expand their operation. Feedback from employers identify 17 renewable wood industry jobs created as a result of hardwood market and gra
Author: Chad Niman
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Once a year the Small Scale Logging Program showcases several pieces of small equipment options available on the market that can be safely attached to a ATV, side-by-side, farm tractor or truck. These attachments lift the front of the log up off the ground reducing skidding impact to the ground, and making skidding much safer and easier. The need for this program comes from small acreage properties which are not often economical for commercial loggers to harvest on, requiring woodland owners and
Author: Chad Niman
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
UK Forestry and Natural Resources forest and wood products extension has been engaged in work with several large stave and cooperage facilities in Kentucky that was having significant moisture variation and breakage in their manufacturing process. Chad Niman working directly with the wood industry was made aware of manufacturing and drying issues that were rising in stave and cooperage facilities in response to increased global bourbon demand and as a result an enormous increase in barrel produc
Author: Chad Niman
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Despite the ecological and economic advantages of using cross laminated timber (CLT) products, the North American building industry has been slow to adopt this emerging architectural component. However, this trend is rapidly changing. Many parts of the world have embraced laminated timber (CLT) and mass timber as components in large scale architectural projects. As cross-laminated timber is emerging across portions of the US, this region is far behind despite the abundance of forest resources an
Author: Laurie Thomas
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Kentucky Master Naturalist ProgramDr. Ellen Crocker, Extension Specialist and Laurie Thomas, Senior Extension Associate, Forestry and Natural Resources ExtensionThe Kentucky Master Naturalist (KYMN) program was developed by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension with valuable input from stakeholders at public and private organizations whose interests align with the mission of the KYMN program. The mission of the KYMN program is to develop a cohort of well-informed volunteers to advance
Author: Chad Niman
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
The Kentucky Master Logger WebTV Program was hosted in 30 Kentucky County Offices spread out throughout Kentucky to reduce drive time and travel for the logging workforce by providing relevant and timely information delivered close to home. All of the content was delivered live from the UK Forestry and Natural Resources Departments Webinar Studio housed in the Thomas Poe Cooper Building on Campus and streamed to the 30 participating county offices. 376 Master Loggers were dispersed throughout th
Author: Nicole Rhein
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
The Kentucky Master Logger WebTV Program was hosted in 30 Kentucky County Offices spread out throughout Kentucky to reduce drive time and travel for the logging workforce by providing relevant and timely information delivered close to home. All of the content was delivered live from the UK Forestry and Natural Resources Departments Webinar Studio housed in the Thomas Poe Cooper Building on Campus and streamed to the 30 participating county offices. 376 Master Loggers were dispersed throughout th
Author: William Thomas
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Families own over 75% of the 12.3 million acres of woodlands in Kentucky. Unfortunately, these family woodlands are facing unprecedented threats from invasive insects, invasive plants, climate change, poor timber harvesting practices, woodland fires, and timber theft/trespass. To continue to support these families during the COVID-19 pandemic and connect them with forestry and natural resource organizations who can assist them the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resourc
Author: Bobby Ammerman
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
The Center for Forest and Wood Certification builds regional forest and wood certification capacity through the delivery of unbiased information; technical assistance; and the development of programs for landowners, loggers, and forest products industries to participate in certification in a sustainable and affordable manner. The Center focuses on providing solutions to certification bottlenecks, enabling the private sector to effectively participate and benefit from certification. The
Author: Bobby Ammerman
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
I conducted 2 of these workshops on 6/10/2021, 6/14/2021, and 6/15/2021. During the workshops we explained why these species of woods were chosen to produce these products. We also discussed/provided general information pertaining to forestry practices in Kentucky including the Kentucky Forest Conservation Act, food from the forest, and its impact on our forest and the economic impact the Forest Products Industry has on Kentucky’s economy. I also discussed the impact each speci
Author: Bobby Ammerman
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Kentucky’s forests cover nearly half the Commonwealth but only scattered information had existed on the overall economic impact of Kentucky’s forest and wood industry. To address this shortfall, a team of faculty and staff from the University of Kentucky Departments of Forestry and Agricultural Economics (Drs. Jeff Stringer, Alison Davis, and Terrell Baker along with staff members Bobby Ammerman and Billy Thomas) worked closely to compile data from a wide variety of sources for the K
Author: Bobby Ammerman
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE
Author: Bobby Ammerman
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Coauthored two articles and provided recorded presentation for Agriculture Economics newsletter. “2020-2021 Economic Situation & Outlook”;Contributing authors: Dr. Jeff Stringer, Chad Niman, Billy Thomas, Bobby Ammerman, Dr. Thomas Ochuodho of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. Niman, C. and B. Ammerman. "It May be a Good Time to Sell Your Mature Hardwood Timber." Economic and Policy Update (21):6, Department of Agricultural Economics, Universit
Author: Charles May
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
The Kentucky Master Logger WebTV Program was hosted by Perry County Extension Service and 30 additional Kentucky County Extension Offices spread out throughout Kentucky to reduce drive time and travel for the logging workforce by providing relevant and timely information delivered close to home. All of the content was delivered live from the UK Forestry and Natural Resources Departments Webinar Studio housed in the Thomas Poe Cooper Building on Campus and streamed to Perry Co
Author: William Thomas
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
The University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources launched the live From the Woods Kentucky (http://www.FromtheWoodsKy.org) radio program in 2018 on the university’s radio station (WRFL 88.1 FM). The COVID-19 pandemic forced the radio station to suspend operations in 2020 but the weekly From the Woods Kentucky show continued as a series of podcasts that are supplemented with audio from a new Forestry Extension program called From the Woods Today (https://forestry.ca.u
Author: Ellen Crocker
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Raising awareness of forest health issues is key for improving Kentucky’s privately owned woodlands. We (Ellen Crocker and Megan Buland) had planned a series of forest health field days in 2020 to engage people about forest health threats and their management. However, Covid restrictions prevented us from moving forward with those plans in-person. Instead, we developed a series of Virtual Forest Health Field Days using the ArcGIS StoryMaps platform, partnering with the Kentuck
Author: Christan Miracle
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
“The Kentucky Master Logger WebTV Program was hosted in 30 Kentucky County Offices spread out throughout Kentucky to reduce drive time and travel for the logging workforce by providing relevant and timely information delivered close to home. All of the content was delivered live from the UK Forestry and Natural Resources Departments Webinar Studio housed in the Thomas Poe Cooper Building on Campus and streamed to the 30 participating county offices. 376 Master Loggers were dispersed throug
Author: Chad Niman
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
In 2020, 3 individual remote wood products programs were held highlighting and celebrating “Forest Products and Stewardship Week”, as part of the campus “Sustainability Month” (October) and “National Forest Products Week” (celebrated nationally in US since 1960). Renee Williams created a Promotional Flyer for use in the Forest Products Awareness Campaign. Forest products play such an important role in our everyday lives as well as the management of our forests
