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In This Issue
2012 WERC Competitive Grants Program
WERC Project Highlights
WERC-Related Activities
Woody Biomass Activities
USDA Forest Service Accepting Applications
Workshops and Webinars
Archived Webinars
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Other Items of Interest
Update on the Housing Market
Update on Wood Markets
Major Uses of Land in the United States, 2007
Hardwood Checkoff Program

 

 

WERC Success Story

Ash Utilization - Using Wood in the Aftermath of EAB: Opportunites in Southeastern MI

  

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Wood Education and
Resource Center Update February 21, 2012

2012 WERC Competitive Grants Program

WERC will not be conducting its annual competitive grants program this year due to a budget reduction. To view the current grants funded, click here.

WERC Project Highlights

The Illinois Conservation Foundation recently completed a WERC project titled Feasibility Study for a Community Wood Reclamation System (Award Number 2010-DG-107). They identified potential wood supply and markets; reviewed operational logistics and organization options; and created financial projects for a multi-municipality staging center for tree removal, reclamation, and distribution in the Chicago, IL area. View a synopsis of the project and final report. For more information, contact Edith Makra at 630-327-4193.

 

 

Timber Resources, Inc., recently completed a WERC project titled Mechanized Processing/Utilization of Urban Trees (Award Number 2010-DG-108). This project's unique partnership demonstrated and analyzed how effectively mechanized cut-to-length equipment removed and processed urban trees in various situations. The project was carried out in the city of Oak Creek, WI. View a synopsis of the project and the final report. View the project Webcast. For more information, contact Don Peterson at 906-875-3720.

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WERC-Related Activities

Ash/Urban Wood Utilization and Marketing Webcasts

Quarterly Webcasts discuss efforts to remove and use urban trees due to invasive pests such as the emerald ash borer. The first Webcast was held October 4, 2011; a second was held January 4, 2012; and a third is planned for April 10, 2012. Interested in participating? Contact Ed Cesa at 304-285-1530.

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Woody Biomass Activities

Rockingham County (NH) Project Expects to Begin in May

The Rockingham County Complex houses county offices, a nursing home, and a prison in Brentwood, NH. The WERC Wood Energy Technical Assistance Program helped Rockingham County staff evaluate project alternatives and develop a Request for Proposals for a design-build project. Read more

 

Sullivan County, NH, Project Expected to Begin in February

Sullivan County, NH, is currently considering developing a central wood-fired system to serve its county office complex, a nursing home, and prison in Unity, NH. The WERC Wood Energy Technical Assistance Program provided a project feasibility study and is helping develop a project Request for Proposals for a design-build project.  Read more

  

WERC Helps the Kansas Forest Service

WERC Wood Energy Technical Assistance Program staff members are helping in wood energy efforts initiated by the Kansas Forest Service. Read more

 

WERC Participates in Forestry and Communities Session

WERC staff participated in a 2-day discussion session jointly sponsored by the Forest Service (WO-S&PF) and the U.S. Endowment to determine how to expand the sustainable use of wood for energy across the Nation's northern tier. Read more

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USDA Forest Service Accepting Applications

The Forest Service is accepting applications for the 2012 Hazardous Fuels - Woody Biomass Utilization Grant Program. The Forest Service is requesting proposals to address the nationwide challenge of using low-value woody biomass material to create renewable energy and protect communities and criticalinfrastructure from wildfires. Successful projects will process woody biomass in a bioenergy facility using commercially proven technologies to produce thermal, electrical, or liquid/gaseous bioenergy. Funds from this grant program must be used to further the planning of such facilities by funding the engineering services necessary for final design and cost analysis.  For additional information, click here.

Workshops and Webinars

Visit the WERC training Web page or WERC Webcast archive

 

Wood Industry Week @ WERC

Monday through Friday, March 5-9, 2012

Location: WERC Facility, Princeton, WV

Workshop participants will learn about new trends and opportunities in the wood industry, including mass customization and lean manufacturing. They will also get an update on the economic situation and status of the wood industry; learn about customer expectations, global implications, and the future; and network with colleagues and industry experts.

 

Scheduled courses include:

  • ROMI 4.0 (Rough Mill Simulator)
  • Enhancing Economic Competitiveness through Going Green
  • Developing New Marketing Strategies
  • Mass Customization for the Wood Products Industry
  • Lean Manufacturing for Small and Medium Sized Wood Product Companies
  • Making Effective Use of Technological Advances
  • Product Costing in the Wood Industry
  • Small and Medium Sized Businesses in the U.S. Wood Products Industry

 

For additional information, click here or contact Urs Buehlmann at 540-231-9759.

 

 

Educational Webinars on Local

Wood Products Marketing

February 23, March 29, April 26, May 31, June 28, July 26, and August 16, 2012

North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension presents this Webinar series as part of a project funded by WERC. The goal: help wood products manufacturers who use U.S. hardwoods make value-added wood products expand their sales, profitability, and employment.

 

Eight Webinars discuss how to expand the production and sale of locally made wood products. The Webinars have interactive PowerPoint slideshows and opportunities for speakers and attendees to interact via a microphone or through real-time text messages. For more information, click here or contact Harry Watt at 704-880-5034.

 

Energy Efficiency in the

Hardwood Products Industry

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Location: WERC Facility, Princeton, WV

This workshop provides practical information about ways the hardwood processing industry can be more energy efficient. Topics include energy profiles and the impact of energy costs on the hardwood products industry, energy assessment services, opportunities to save energy in both thermal and electric systems, and reducing energy in drying practices. Information: contact Brian Bond at 704-880-5034. Sponsors include Virginia Tech and WERC.

 

 

North American Thermally Modified

Wood Standards Development

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Location:  WERC facility, Princeton, WV

This 1-day wood industry forum and Webinar will provide an overview of thermally modified wood technology and a review and analysis of European standards for thermally modified timber. Attendees will help develop a plan to create corresponding North American standards and hear about industrial development issues of thermally modified wood in Europe, Canada, and United States. For additional information, contact [email protected]Sponsors include Natural Resources Research Institute-University of MN and WERC.

 

 

New Technologies for Value-Added

Wood Products Manufacturers -

Cabinets, Furniture, Millwork

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Location: WERC Facility, Princeton, WV

Staying on top of technology can keep a business competitive. Technology is continually advancing, and materials can change too. Get out of the shop and look at what new options may fit your business. This workshop will discuss innovations in equipment as well as software and materials. Information: contact Harry Watt at 704-880-5034 or click here. Sponsors include North Carolina State University, Woodshop News, and WERC.

 

Small Sawmill Business Strategies and

Hands-On Demonstrations

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Location: WERC facility, Princeton, WV

This workshop focuses on small sawmills and lumber drying operations that use gas, diesel engines, and single-phase electric power. Equipment vendors are invited to set up exhibits and offer demonstrations. Classroom lectures cover equipment currently available for small sawmill and lumber drying operations, how to saw for improving hardwood lumber grades, basics of the hardwood lumber grading system, lumber drying basics, heating a kiln with a stick wood water stove, profitable business and marketing strategies, and how to make value-added products beyond green and kiln-dried lumber.

 

Information: contact Harry Watt at 704-880-5034 or click here. Sponsors include North Carolina State University, Woodshop News, and WERC.

 

 

Leadership Conference for Promoting

Locally Made U.S. Wood Products

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Location: WERC Facility, Princeton, WV

This networking and educational event will lay the foundation for a local wood movement to promote the use of U.S. hardwoods by U.S. manufacturers. Information: contact Harry Watt at 704-880-5034 or click here. Sponsors include North Carolina State University, Woodshop News, and WERC.

Archived Webinars

Vacuum/Steam Treatment of Wood Pallets and Pallet Stringers

January 18, 2012

 

Life Cycle Inventory Tools for the Hardwood Industry

December 15, 2011 (Award number 2010-DG-109)

 

Workshop: Profitable Drying of Small Quantities of Lumber

November 9 - 10, 2011

PowerPoint presentations and handouts are available.

 

Workshop: New Profitable Business Strategies That Pay for Valued-Added Wood Products Manufacturers -Cabinets, Furniture, Millwork

November 8, 2011                  

PowerPoint presentations and handouts are available.

 

Lake States Excavator-Based Cable Yarding System Demonstration

October 28, 2011 

 

Regional Focus on Biomass Energy - Northeastern Region

October 19, 2011

 

Agricultural and Woody Biomass - Contrasts and Comparisons

September 28, 2011

 

Factors to Consider when Establishing a Community Wood Reclamation System

September 28, 2011

 

The Carbon Impact of Forest Products

July 20, 2011

 

The Future of Residential Wood & Pellet Heat in America

July 19, 2011

 

Bioenergy and Climate Policies and the Impact on Existing Forest Products Industries

June 28, 2011

 

Carbon Storage Factors for Urban Hardwood Forest Products

June 3, 2011

 

Webinar Series: Biomass Thermal Energy Council

BTEC developed a Webinar series about biomass thermal opportunities and key issues using a WERC grant (Award Number 2010-DG-150).

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Other Items of Interest 

Update on the Housing Market

From Urs Buehlmann, VA Tech, Department of Wood Science and Forest Products, and Delton Alderman, U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station

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Update on Wood Markets

From Don Deckard, Minnesota DNR Division of Forestry

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Major Uses of Land in the United States, 2007

View this USDA Economic Research Service report.

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Hardwood Checkoff Program
The Hardwood Checkoff is an initiative led by a group of U.S. hardwood industry leaders who have developed a Commodity Checkoff program for the hardwood industry. Checkoff programs are industry-funded research and promotions programs tailored to a specific commodity. For additional details, click here.

Wood Education and Resource Center Staff

Steve Milauskas, Director, (304) 487-1510, [email protected]

Ed Cesa, Deputy Director, (304) 285-1530, [email protected]

Lew McCreery, Biomass Coordinator, (304) 285-1538, [email protected]

Debbie Hawkins, Office Administrator, (304) 487-1510, [email protected]

Nathan Delimont, Maintenance, (304) 487-1510, [email protected]

The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this Update is for the information and convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute official endorsement or approval by the U.S. Department of Agriculture of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.