Knox County CES

Title:

Introduction of specialty markets

MAP:

Natural Resources

Agents Involved:

Wayne Kirby

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Forestry Industry Education

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Forestry and Natural Resource Professional Education

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum

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, Landowner & Youths,

Audience: Loggers & Land Owners

Activity: Ag Newsletter & News Articles

Content: Environmental stewardship, best management practices, etc.

Date: Throughout year

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:Throughout year