For the first time since starting the CFWC and the beginning of its activities, the Center has been asked to help with procuring American Tree Farm timber for the entry into a Kentucky supply chain for the eventual production of a PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certified barrel.  As a result of the request, I have worked with Chris Will, the consulting forester working the tree farmer, S&S Stave, Kelvin Cooperage, and ITL on the development of the certified supply chain.  My role was to gett all of them on the same page and draft PEFC procedures for each one in the chain.  I also trained Kelvin Cooperage and S&S Stave on the certification requirements and prepared them for their audits which occurred at the end of January. The final product was a PEFFC certified barrel sold overseas into Ireland.  These were the first barrels in the US to be certified to any certification and sustainability standard.