On September 11, 2013, Secretary Vilsack announced that more than $1.1 million in grants are being awarded to five organizations to form statewide wood energy teams in these States: Alaska, California, Idaho, Minnesota, and New Hampshire.

Life Cycle Assessment of Solid Hardwood Flooring

Sustainable Resources Institute, Crystal Falls, MI

(WERC Award Number 2010-DG-109)

The goal of this study was to document the environmental impact of a typical wood products company manufacturing solid strip hardwood flooring through cradle-to-gate life cycle inventory. The completed project provides a report on hardwood flooring production details, methodology, and results of a life cycle inventory (LCI) and life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) for a hardwood flooring plant. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has been completed in a manner consistent with the principles and guidance provided in the International Organization for Standardization.  Life-cycle impact assessment comparison models were developed for two flooring alternatives, engineered wood flooring and vinyl. Relative energy required for flooring production, magnitude of global warming impacts and carbon impacts, and other environmental impacts were compared.  To view the report, click here.

For additional information, contact Don Peterson at 877-284-3882.

Visit the WERC training Web page  or WERC Webcast archive 

Profitable Firewood Processing Workshop

April 2014

Location: WERC Facilities, Princeton, WV

This educational and networking event will provide the firewood processing industry with the latest knowledge on processing, kiln drying, and marketing firewood. For additional information, contact Harry Watt from North Carolina State University at 704-880-5034.

Webinar - Status of Domestic Wood Packaging Material (dWPM)

January 24, 2014

The possibility of a requirement for all wood packaging material (WPM) to be "phyto-sanitized" arose in 2009 when the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) posted an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) to that effect.  This webinar on dWPM will cover the evolution of this specific issue as well as others in the time period from 2009 to the present.  The West Virginia University Appalachian Hardwood Center (AHC) will host the event.  The webinar is free, but attendance is limited so pre-registration is required.  Attendees will be able to ask questions of the presenters via a text based chat option.  For more information and registration, contact Jeff Slahor, 304-293-9423.

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Update on the Housing Market

From Urs Buehlmann, Virginia Tech Department of Wood Science.

Update on Wood Markets

From Don Deckard, Minnesota DNR Division of Forestry

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Projects to Improve Farm and Rural Business Energy Efficiency

On November 8, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced funding for 424 projects across the nation that will help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce their energy consumption and costs, and use renewable energy technologies in their operations. 

Online Systems Keep U.S. Ag Exporters Abreast of Regulations in Foreign Markets

European Union Timber Regulation

New European timber regulations went into effect March 3, 2013. For additional details, go here and here.

Wind Wood Utilization

Wind Wood is the hub for information specifically related to the preparation for, response to, and recovery from major wind events and the utilization of downed and damaged timber and woody debris that can be generated.

Urban Forest Products Alliance LinkedIn

Forests of the Northern United States

This publication provides a broad overview of forests in the 20-state region that is bounded by Maine, Maryland, Missouri, and Minnesota. It was authored by nine people across the region and is accompanied by a Web site that describes current resource conditions, unique forest characteristics, and the challenges faced by this tier of States. The report's findings also highlight the complexities facing those making today's forest management, policy, and investment decisions that, in turn, will prepare and shape the region for a sustainable future.

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.

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LEED and Biomass Thermal Energy:  How to get credits for your project

November 6, 2013

Biomass Thermal Energy Council hosted this webinar focused on how biomass thermal systems are addressed within the USGBC's LEED program.  The webinar includes a description of eligible biomass thermal credits, special considerations, and two case studies of real world buildings using biomass thermal that took separate credit approaches. Click here to view the webinar.

Small Sawmill Workshop

October 24, 2013

This workshop focused on small sawmills and lumber drying operations that use gas engines, diesel engines, and single phase electric power. To view workshop handouts and photos, click here.

For additional information, contact Harry Watt from North Carolina State University at 704-880-5034.

Profitably Drying Small Quantities of Lumber Workshop

September 25-26, 2013

This workshop demonstrated the use of a 900-board-foot conventional steam dry kiln using sample boards to monitor the drying process. Attendees learned how dry kilns work and how they can add profitability to a sawmill and/or wood processing operation. To view workshop handouts and photos, click here.  For additional information, contact Harry Watt from North Carolina State University at 704-880-5034.

Quarterly Webcast and Conference Call on Urban Wood Utilization

July 9, 2013

This Webcast includes presentations on the Baltimore Carbon Challenge Design Competition; the evolution and potential for an urban log sorting yard in Baltimore, MD; an update on the Tree Care Industry Association's A300 ANSI draft standard for urban tree harvesting; and an update on sanitizing walnut logs infested with thousand cankers disease.

Profitable Firewood Processing Workshop and Webcast  

July 27, 2013 (Award Number 2011-DG-057)

This workshop provided an educational and networking event for the firewood processing industry pertaining to the latest knowledge about processing, kiln drying, and marketing firewood.

Creating and Expanding the Market for Black Ash Baskets in the Northeast

June 19, 2013 

(WERC Award Number 2011-DG-109)

This Webcast provides an overview and results of a project funded with the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance. The project's primary focus was market-oriented activities to improve the market for high-value ash baskets.

Heat Treatment of Firewood and Logs Using Steam and Vacuum

May 21, 2013 (WERC Award Number 2011-DG-058)

This Webcast provides results of a study funded at the VA Tech Department of Sustainable Biomaterials to evaluate using a vacuum/steam treatment process for sanitizing firewood.

Quarterly Webcast and Conference Call on Urban Wood Utilization and Markets

April 9, 2013

This quarterly Webcast includes updates on the Tree Care Industries Association's A300 ANSI draft standard for urban tree harvesting, Illinois Emerald Ash Borer Wood Utilization Team, southeast Michigan ash-urban wood utilization activities, and an overview of Missouri's urban wood utilization workshop.

2012 Wood Industry Week @ WERC
View this series of workshops online. Topics include ROMI 4.0, enhancing economic competitiveness, developing new marketing strategies, mass customization, lean manufacturing, making effective use of technological advances, product costing, and small- and medium-sized enterprises in the U.S. wood products industry. (Wood Industry Week was not held in 2013; the next one is planned for March 2014.)