Introduction of specialty marketsPlan of Work

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Knox County CES

Title:
Introduction of specialty markets
MAP:
Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
Wayne Kirby
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Situation:

The largest industry in Knox County is logging, or the harvesting of timbers. With the rising cost of machinery, it’s costing loggers more to harvest timber. On the other end of the spectrum, timber market prices are half of what they were five years ago. It’s become a lose-lose situation, where loggers are losing money due to increased production costs, and land owners are refusing to sell their timber due to decreased market value. Through education, Knox County Extension will help to provide assistance to the logging industry in Knox County.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Increased profit in the timber industry in Knox County for loggers and land owners.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Loggers will use new methods of timber production to decrease production expenses. They will also pursue specialty timber markets in order to increase sagging profits

Initial Outcomes:

Loggers/ land owners will become knowledgeable of the availability of specialty timber markets. Loggers will also learn new methods to decrease the expense of timber production.

Evaluation:

Long-Term Outcome:

Indicator: Loggers will institute practices that will decrease the expense of timber production

Method: Testimonial/observation/practice/survey

Timeline: Winter-Summer


Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Loggers/Landowner will recognize resources available & become knowledgeable of the availability of specialty timber markets.

Method: Sign in sheets/testimonials/surveys/observation

Timeline: Fall 


Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Loggers/Landowners will attend provided trainings

Method: Sign in sheets/testimonials/surveys/observation

Timeline: Fall 

Learning Opportunities:


Audience: Loggers & Land Owners

Activity: Ag Newsletter & News Articles

Content: Environmental stewardship, best management practices, etc.

Date: Fall 2021/Spring 2022


Activity: Timber Harvesting Workshop and Demonstration

Content: Best Management Practices;

Date: Fall 


Activity: Timber Marketing Diversification Workshop

Content: Marketing Techniques; Specialty Markets

Date: Fall


Activity: National Loggers Expo

Content: Educational display on best management practices

Date: Fall



Activity: Master Logger program

Content: Master Logger Certification & Master Logger CEU programs

Date:Fall 2021/Spring 2022



Success Stories

Stocker Operation

Author: Robert Kirby

Major Program: Beef

A Knox County farmer made the decision that he wanted to start a stocker and backgrounding operation where he could background his own calves and buy 500-600lb calves from semi load lots. Through educational programs and on farm visits by the Knox County Ag Agent, the farmer was educated on how to buy and match tractor trailer load lots, how to worm and work the cattle to control diseases, the most efficient nutritional feeding to enhance growth and reduce cost of gain, and how to market the cat

Full Story
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