Author: Chad Niman
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
One meeting was conducted in the fall of 2021. This meeting was a two-day meeting. Held in Lexington, KY at the Embassy Suites. The meeting included tours of the Freeman Corporation in Winchester, KY and Powell Valley Millwork in Clay City, KY. The technical presentations included; Dr. Matt Bumgardener - “Current Status and Market Directions for the Hardwood Industry”, Mr. Bob Bauer – “KFIA Young Leaders Program and Real American Hardwood Promotion
The University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Extension team launched the weekly online program From the Woods Today in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the program remains an important component of our forestry and natural resources Extension programming efforts (https://forestry.ca.uky.edu/woods-today). The From the Woods Today program features current information on woodlands and wildlife in Kentucky including information on woodland management, tree identi
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. The technology has been used in Europe and British Columbia for over 20 years. 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 despit
In 2021, 5 programs were delivered covering hardwood grading systems, hardwood lumber inspection, cant product specs, material handling, defects and characteristics, wood drying, and hardwood markets. This is a very focused and highly skilled forest and wood industry training for sawmill and wood industry employees. The trainings allowed 1 business to get up and going, and 6 others to expand their operation. Feedback from employers identify 21 renewable wood industry jobs created as a result of
UK Forestry and Natural Resources extension through our wood products team have been engaged in work with several large stave and cooperage facilities in Kentucky that were having significant moisture variation and breakage of barrel staves in their manufacturing process. Chad Niman working directly with the wood industry with drying and quality aspects of wood products manufacturing received multiple requests drying issues that were rising in stave and cooperage facilities in response to increa
2021 marked 5 years of UK Forestry and Natural Resources Extension celebrating the importance of forest products and the forests that provide them. Forest Products are incredibly important to Kentucky, as nearly half of Kentucky is in forest and the circular economy in Kentucky renew-ably contributes nearly $14 billion annually. Reading of the Governors proclamation for forest products week, free food and drinks and individual remote wood products programs were held highlighting and celebr
Author: Jacob Muller
Demand for maple syrup is high and growing. This interest and demand led to the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Extension team receiving an increasing number of requests for maple syrup information and support from county extension agents, the Kentucky Natural Resources Conservation Service, maple syrup producers, and the Kentucky Maple Syrup Associa­tion. This growing interest, increase in educational requests, and abundant maple resources in Kentucky pro
Author: Ellen Crocker
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
Laurel wilt is a new invasive tree disease in Kentucky lethal to sassafras and spicebush. This disease is caused by a fungus, Raffaelea lauricola, and spread by the redbay ambrosia beetle, both of which are native to Asia. Infection by the fungus compromises the vascular system of the tree and can rapidly kill sassafras. While it has been present in coastal areas of the southeast for several years, killing redbay laurel, avocado, and other species, it was first detected in Kentucky i
Forests 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 c
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
The University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Extension team launched the weekly online program From the Woods Today in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the program remains an important component of our forestry and natural resources Extension programming efforts (https://forestry.ca.uky.edu/woods-today). The From the Woods Today program features current information on woodlands and wildlife in Kentucky including information on woodland management, tree identificat
Invasive plants are a major issue in Kentucky and beyond, impacting a wide range of habitats from forests to grasslands. Already there are many different invasive trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, and herbaceous plants that cause problems in the state. In addition, new plants arrive each year. From recognizing new invasives to best practices in managing current problems, landowners and professionals need more information about invasive plants.To increase understanding of these is
Forests are central to Kentucky’s economic and ecological 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 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 o
Author: William Thomas
UK Forestry Extension hosted a forestry field day and walk at the Berea College Forest on June 2nd, 2022 for County Agents and Staff. Our entire Forestry Extension team was on-hand to provide information on woodlands and forestry, why it's important, and ways that Extension can help landowners begin managing their woodlands and forestlands. We introduced forest health, wildlife management, forest management planning, timber markets, and tree ID! This 4-hour event kicked off with an intr
Author: Laurie Thomas
White Oak Initiative’s - Landowners for Oaks SeriesLaurie Thomas and Darren MorrisThe White Oak Initiative continues to expand and grow, reaching across 22 states within the native range of white oak. Industries, universities, state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, private landowners and many others have rallied around the White Oak Initiative to help ensure healthy upland oak forests for generations to come. Since most of the forests within the white oak’s rang
