Success Story(2022) Documenting the Kentucky Forestry Economic Impact



(2022) Documenting the Kentucky Forestry Economic Impact

Author: Chad Niman

Planning Unit: Forestry

Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

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 Kentucky forest and wood industry. In 2013 this data was summarized and analyzed to assemble a comprehensive report on the Kentucky forest and wood industry. The subsequent extension publications (FORFS 13-03 and FORFS 13-04) that were developed as a result of this project revealed the forest and wood industry in Kentucky is a significant contributor to the Commonwealth’s economy.

 

In 2023 the publication was updated to include the current reporting year – 2021 - 2022 (FORFS 23-01).  The publication showed an economic impact of the Kentucky Forestry Sector to be $9.1 billion in 2021 in direct economic impact and nearly 13.5 billion in indirect and induced and provided a total of 49,109 jobs.  There were 26,000 Kentucky citizens employed in the Kentucky Forest Products industry in 2022. In addition, a full release of the report was provided during the 2022 Kentucky Forest Industry Association Annual Meeting and Kentucky Woodland Owners Association in the spring of 2023.


Link to report: Kentucky Forest Sector Economic Contribution | Forestry and Natural Resources (uky.edu) 







Stories by Chad Niman


Wood Utilization Center Workshops

about 1 years ago by Chad Niman

7 workshops were hosted at the Wood Center during this timeframe. During the workshops we explained ... Read More


(2022) Documenting the Kentucky Forestry Economic Impact

about 1 years ago by Chad Niman

Kentuckys forests cover nearly half the Commonwealth but only scattered information had existed on t... Read More


Stories by Forestry


4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program FFA/4-H National Competition

4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program FFA/4-H National Competition

about 1 years ago by Laurie Thomas

Authors: Laurie Thomas, Matthew Springer, Ph.D, and Ashley OsborneCollaborators: Stacy White, Whitle... Read More


Kentucky Forest Leadership Program 2022-2023

about 1 years ago by Matthew Springer

Kentucky Forest Leadership Program 2022 - 2023Authors:Laurie T. Thomas, Matt Springer, PhD., Blake N... Read More


Stories by Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization


Backyard Maple Tapping Provides Farm Diversification Opportunities

Backyard Maple Tapping Provides Farm Diversification Opportunities

about 1 years ago by Nathan Rider

Bullitt County is 30% covered by natural forest--252Mha in total. In fact, from 2000 to 2020, Bullit... Read More


Markers Assist with Tree Identification

Markers Assist with Tree Identification

about 1 years ago by Rebecca Konopka

According to the Kentucky Energy & Environment Cabinet, Kentucky is second in the United States for ... Read More