Published: February 29, 2008 08:56 am            

Ag/forest officials meet for first time

Local News

Agricultural and forestry leaders met with woodlot owners for the first time at “Kentucky Woodlot$: Capture the Value” conference Wednesday, Feb. 20, at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset.

The statewide conference brought together approximately 135 people from across the state to discuss common issues and emerging market opportunities. Nearly half of the attendees were woodlot owners seeking more information on how they can capture the growing value of Kentucky’s woodlands.

Local, state and national speakers provided information on traditional areas of interest in timber value, global and national issues and new market opportunities for alternative energy sources.

“Land ownership is changing for this new generation of woodland owners and they have indicated a strong interest in alternative uses and renewable energy,” said Harvey Mitchell, director of agriculture outreach for The Center for Rural Development, one of the program sponsors. “Forest owners and farmers alike are beginning to recognize the increasing value of trees or woodlands for green space, carbon marketing opportunities and recreational uses – ideas which make trees more important.”

The conference was a collaborative effort between The Center and 14 partners representing state government, the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and commodity organizations.

“This unique educational program provided an opportunity for traditional timber issues to be discussed plus opened the door for new subjects on renewable energy, carbon marketing and alternative uses, such as recreational leasing and adding value,” said Mitchell, who has more than 30 years’ experience in agribusiness.

Dr. Steve Bullard, chairman of the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry, said the conference created an awareness of some of the issues facing agricultural and forestry producers and offered possible solutions.

“These producers are dealing with some of the same pressures – trying to keep their land in agricultural and/or forestry production in the face of growing land values for other uses,” said Bullard, who moderated the opening session. “We need to develop more diverse and higher value-added markets-products ... invest in trees and crop protection through research and extension ... and work with local, state and federal agencies and organizations to communicate our message.”

PowerPoint presentations by the conference speakers can be downloaded from The Center’s Web site:

www.centertech.com

The presentations are available on the Agriculture Outreach link for the “Kentucky Woodlot$: Capture the Value” conference.

Conference sponsors were The Center for Rural Development, Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy, University of Kentucky Department of Forestry, Kentucky Division of Forestry, Kentucky Forest Industries Association, Kentucky Woodland Owners Association, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Division of Conservation, Governor’s Office of Energy Policy; Kentucky Association of Consulting Foresters, Mountain Association for Community Economic Development, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, Kentucky Farm Bureau, Kentucky Tree Farm Committee and Kentucky Association of Conservation District.

        

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