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 FORESTRY
LICENSE PLATE
  
In recognition of the importance of forestry in North Carolina and the state's status as the birthplace of professional forestry in the United States, the N.C. General Assembly has approved a special "First in Forestry" license plate. $20 of the $30 fee collected for each plate will go toward forestry education programs in the state.
 
The plates are available for purchase from the NC Division of Motor Vehicles online and at offices throughout the state.

Project Learning
Tree Events
 
Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an environmental education curriculum to help educators and natural resource professionals teach about the built and natural environments we live in and the resources we depend upon.
 
Nationally, PLT is a program of the American Forest Foundation, and is celebrating 30 years of programming in North Carolina through partnership with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension - Forestry, North Carolina Forestry Association, and the North Carolina Forest Service.  

 
Not sure what 
Project Learning Tree is about? Visit www.plt.org to learn how this resource can help you teach about the built and natural environment.  
March 17, 2017
(l-r) Joey Ross of J & J Logging and Chris Hopkins of N.C. State University pose for a photo during a demonstration of a research project that Hopkins is leading in Granville County through funding provided by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.
Chipping for Answers
Chris Hopkins, a research associate with North Carolina State University, is pretty good at finding partners when he sets his sights on a new project.  His latest research revolves around energy efficiency in wood chips made for energy production. 

Hopkins own tests demonstrated that dryer chips produce a higher energy value.  So, he thought, how can we ship the driest chips from the woods to the end point facility?  Could you stack the trees and residue targeted for the chipper on site and effectively dry them out?  And what would be the best way to do that?   These were all questions Hopkins sought to discover. 

The research study focused on the benefits of drying wood on the job designated for the energy market before chipping it.  Peterson Corporation provided its newest chipper, the 6300B Drum Chipper, and J & J Logging provided the crew support.
  
First, he need a willing landowner.  Enter David Schnake, who works for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.  One of the properties Schnake manages is the Picture Creek section of the Umstead Research Station located in Granville County.  Schnake was looking to reduce the basal area within the stand by removing the existing Loblolly Pines on the mixed hardwood/pine stand. 

Hopkins utilized about 60 acres of the 230 acre tract.  Schnake states the tract is registered with the Natural Heritage Program due to the significant array of unique plants, including the Smooth Cone Flower. 

So, for Schanke, the research project would provide an excellent chance for him to utilize fiber that ultimately would have just been harvested and left on the forest floor as he worked towards restoring the property to its former landscape of years ago of Oak mixed in with Shortleaf Pine and savannah grasses. 

Schnake pointed out that the goals of the Department of Agriculture involve different projects - research, production and in some cases, restoration.  This project falls in the restoration bucket.  He hopes to achieve the landscape through harvests and a burn schedule.   

In June of 2014, trees that were to be left were marked and the harvesting began.

Hopkins had specific plans for the wood earmarked for energy and where they would be left on the tract.  In some spots, he had the logger leave a clump typically left by one skidder grab.  In other spots, he developed windrows, which look like man-made hedges of small diameter trees along the sides of the tract.  His was trying to discover how quickly the trees reduce moisture and does placement and structure make a difference.
 
"We measured all the dynamics we could while they were drying," stated Hopkins. 

Chris Hopkins
He would test them shortly after harvest and then revisit the tested spots for follow-ups. Hopkins also took the time to cut three-foot spaces between the windrows to increase air movement. 
 
"Everything we tried early on really didn't work," stated Hopkins.  "We expected better results from the windrows." 

In the end, Hopkins learned a few things.  First and foremost, the small piles left by the skidder actually were the optimal drying of the woody material and small diameter trees.  Hopkins surmises that the air flow was greater than that of the windrows.  He also discovered that the trees lose moisture from the butt of the tree rather than length of the tree exposed to the wind.
 
"The bark is a blanket," stated Hopkins.  "The bottom line is that we learned that you can dry wood out with a lot less effort than we expected."

Crowder Logging did the initial harvest of the property, but after letting the wood targeted for the energy market sit for two years, Hopkins needed a partner on the production side.  

Enter Joey Ross of J & J Logging.   J & J Logging had assisted Hopkins about six years ago with another other research project so it seems once you end up in this researcher's rolodex, you are there for life.   

"He is persistent," stated Joey Ross with a smile.  "He will call, and keep calling, and if he doesn't catch up with me, he'll get my dad.  And then, my dad will say, hey, sort this out. So yes, we help him out when we can."

But on a more serious note, Joey Ross likes to help out where he can because he believes breakthroughs in research could pay dividends in new markets or higher returns on existing markets for his company and the logging world in general.  He likens it to medical research where new medicines take years to develop. 

"If I didn't believe that something good would come out of this, I would have quite fooling with it a long time ago,"  stated Ross. "As long as it doesn't cut into our production too much, we do whatever he needs." 

 "We really appreciate his willingness to work with us," stated Hopkins.  "It's invaluable to our projects."

The final element of the partnership for this study was the chipper equipment. Enter Gregory Poole and Peterson Corporation.  Hopkins reached out to Peterson inquiring about some help with his demonstration. 

Field Day Time!  (l-r) Ray Pippen, Jr. and Douglas Barham of Gregory Poole Equipment Company were joined by Steve Jones of Peterson Corporation and Chris Hopkins of North Carolina State University for a quick photo opportunity during the demonstration.  

Hopkins' sales pitch must have been good.  The Peterson and Gregory Poole people delivered Peterson's newest machine, a 6300B Drum Chipper, which can produce a bunch of wood chips in a range of sizes of 1/8 inch (typically requested by pellet markets) to 2 inches (typically requested by fuel markets) depending upon the setup. 

"It's our newest machine," stated Steve Jones with Peterson.  "It is a designed for high volume that you would find with large land clearing operations and/or right of way clearings." 

While everyone in the forest products supply chain was willing to get onboard to make this research a reality, Hopkins struggled to find the end consumer who would be willing to install the proper equipment to test the wood chips for moisture as they came into the facility.  There are a few options for sensors in existence, but the time and capital associated with the project proved to be too big of an obstacle to overcome. 

"The entire project really hinges on being able to place a premium on dryer wood chips at the mill, but since the sensor equipment is an apparent road block, it looks like it will not happen in the near future," stated Hopkins. 

From his research, Hopkins concludes that wood loses over 10 percent of its moisture in just one week in a small pile.  If left on the jobsite for eight months in a windrow, it loses slightly more, closer to 20 percent.  
 
Hopkins sees the efficiencies in terms of logistics that could be created in the future by a larger amount of lighter, more efficient energy wood chips being transported to a facility with the expectation of a premium for those wood chips, but that is not how the marketplace is set up currently.     


ProLogger Graduates Big Class in Williamston
The NCFA's ProLogger program graduated 55 from its base class program earlier this week at Martin Community College in Williamston, NC.  Click here for a class list .
  
The awesome North Carolina blue sky and Steve Tarkington's log deck provide the background for our ProLogger group photo in Williamston earlier this week.  
 
"We would like to thank all of our volunteer instructors this week," stated Chris Brown, the NCFA's Senior Director of Communications.  "Our students were engaged the entire two days.  We appreciate their participation in the program and their resiliency on our windy field day.  Thanks to Hugh Kennedy and Steve Tarkington of T & T Timber for hosting our class.  Special thanks to Chuck Daniels of Domtar for his assistance over the two days as Domtar provided snacks and lunch during the training."  

The base class is now in its second year of its two day format.  On Wednesday, participants received information from the North Carolina Forest Service, the North Carolina Highway Patrol, North Carolina Department of Labor and NCFA staff.  Thursday the group heard from Forestry Mutual Insurance in the morning before heading to the field for live demonstrations on chain saw felling from Forestry Mutual's Bryan Wagner.  

(far right) Bryan Wagner of Forestry Mutual Insurance Company reviews proper felling technique as part of each ProLogger base course.  

The highlight of every base class is the Bryan Wagner show.  His tree felling talent is only surpassed by his enthusiasm for logger training.  Wagner did not disappoint, felling three trees and reviewing the tongue and groove notch.  

The NCFA would like the following people for their efforts over the two days including from the North Carolina Forest Service: Mike Hoggard, James Caddy, Tom Gerow, Jr., Paul Mowrey and Vance Coker; the North Carolina Highway Patrol: Officer Matt Bunn; North Carolina Department of Labor: Eric Smith; Forestry Mutual Insurance Company: Chris Huff and Bryan Wagner; and Domtar: Fay Raynor and Chuck Daniels.    

(l-r) Thanks to Chuck Daniels and Hugh Kennedy for helping us set up our field visit and providing a great lunch spot!  
It is also worth noting that Steve Tarkington was gracious enough to once again host our ProLogger class.  Between North Carolina and Virginia training programs, Tarkington has hosted four classes in the past three years.  

We certainly appreciate his support of professional logging training!  

General Assembly Update 
The NCFA staff continues to monitor the activities of the North Carolina General Assembly.   The following are some of the bills the NCFA is monitoring closely at this point.  The bills in their current form can be found by clicking on the titles.

House Bill 3 - Eminent Domain (partner bill is Senate Bill 34)
This Eminent Domain Bill seeks to protect landowners and provide more options in the case where property is taken via eminent domain.  The bill passed the House.  It passed its first reading in the House and is currently referred to the Committee on Rules and Operations within the Senate.  The NCFA supports this bill at this point.

House Bill 10 - Eminent Domain Statutory Revisions (partner bill is Senate Bill 35)  This Eminent Domain Statutory Revisions Bill provides updates to existing public good projects to include natural gas and communications equipment.  The bill passed its first reading and has been referred to the Committee on Rules, Calendar and Operations The NCFA supports this bill at this point.

House Bill 26 - Workers Comp/Approval of Disputed Legal Fees
This bill amends the process set forth currently in the payment of disputed legal fees by the industrial commission.  This bill has passed the House.  It passed its first reading in the Senate and has been referred to the Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate.  The NCFA is neutral on this bill at this point.

House Bill 56 -Amend Various Environmental Laws
House Bill 56 is a generic bill that addresses that an owner of a high-hazard or an intermediate-hazard dam shall develop an Emergency Action Plan that includes the involvement of a professional engineer or person under the responsible charge of a professional engineer to ensure it protects public safety and welfare.  This bill passed its first reading.  It has been referred to the Committee on the Environment.  The NCFA is neutral on this bill at this point.  It's worth noting that this bill could include more provisions moving forward. 

House Bill 80 - Bona Fide Ownership of Timber Parcels
This bill seeks to protect forest landowners from timber being unlawfully cut and/or removed from their property by mandating that the forest landowner obtain a survey of his/her property that clearly defines the property lines of his/her property.  This bill has passed its first reading and has been referred to the committee on Judiciary III.   It did not come up on the calendar last week.  The NCFA does not support this bill in its current form and continues to work with bill sponsors to amend it so it maintains private property rights without imposing an unnecessary financial burden on the landowner. 

This bill seeks to adjust the weighting attributed under the transportation investment strategy formula to the department of transportation's division engineers, the metropolitan planning organizations, and the rural transportation planning organizations, when selecting regional impact and division need projects, as recommended by the house select committee on strategic transportation planning and long term funding solutions.  The bill seeks to allow more input from local communities within the current priority system employed by the state for infrastructure projects within the state. This bill has passed the House.  It has passed its first reading in the Senate and is now in the Committee On Rules and Operations.  The NCFA supports this bill at this point and will continue to monitor its progress.  

This bill would authorize permitted oversized or overweight vehicles to travel after sunset when transporting and delivering cargo, containers, or other equipment to or from international ports.  This bill has passed the House and has been sent to the Senate.  The NCFA supports this bill.  

House Bill 142 - Increase Oversight of Occupational License Boards
This bill seeks to increase oversight and streamline existing licencing boards in the state.  The State Board of Registration for Foresters is currently listed as one of the 58 boards that will remain active.  This is a positive change from the previous versions of this bill introduced in the last legislative session.  The bill has passed the House and was sent to the Senate where it has passed its first reading.  It is now in the Rules and Operations Committee of the Senate. The NCFA supports this bill now that it includes maintaining the existence of the State Board of Registration for Foresters.  

House Bill 168 - Study Damage from ATV Use
This bill would authorize a study the damage caused to various types of properties from unauthorized use of all-terrain vehicles.  The bill has passed its first reading in the House and has been referred to the Committee on Transportation.  The NCFA supports this bill.   

This bill to change the  property tax exclusion for solar energy by lowering the percentage from  eighty percent to sixty percent of the appraised value of a solar  energy electric system.  The bill passed its first reading and is now in the Committee on Energy and Public Utilities.  The NCFA is neutral on this bill at this point.   

This bill would  prohibit hunting from the right-of-ways of public roads in Buncombe County.  It has passed its first reading in the House and been referred to the Committee on Rules, Calendar and Operations.  The NCFA is neutral on this bill at this point.  

This bill would permit fox and coyote trapping in Yadkin County.  The bill passed its first reading and has been referred to the Wildlife Resources Committee.  The NCFA is neutral on this bill at this point.

House Bill 309 - Responsible Deer Management Act
This bill imposes a duty to avoid wanton waste on persons taking wildlife under a depredation permit.  This bill has been filed.  The NCFA supports this bill at this time but will continue to monitor its progress. 
  
Senate Bill 29 - ALJ Review of DPS Civil Penalties
This bill seeks to make changes act to revise the assessment of certain civil penalties by the department of public safety.  The bill includes a local option for appeals in cases such as motor vehicle and/or trucking violations.  This bill passed its first reading and has been referred to Judiciary.  If it passes that committee, it will be referred to Rules and Operations of the Senate.  The NCFA supports this bill. 

Senate Bill 76  - Permit Nightime Hunting of Coyotes
This bill directs the Wildlife Resources Commission to repeal its regulation banning night hunting of coyotes in certain coastal counties. This bill has passed its first reading and is being referred to the Committee on Rules and Operations within the Senate.  The NCFA is neutral on this bill at this point.

This bill  amends certain environmental, natural resources, and  other laws. This bill has passed one reading and has been placed on the calendar for 3/14.  The NCFA is neutral on this bill at this point but will continue to monitor it through the legislative process.  

This bill seeks to establish a uniform procedure to determine title to oil, gas, or mineral rights.  It has passed its first reading and has been referred to the  Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate.  
 
If you have a legislative question and/or concern about any of the bills listed above, please contact Pryor Gibson at pgibson@ncforestry.org or (800) 231-7723.    

NCWRC To Hold Workshops on New Wildlife Action Plan

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission will discuss the recently-updated North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan and showcase several web-based spatial tools that can help natural resource professionals make more informed decisions in a series of workshops coming up.  The workshops are free and are contain CFE credits, but registration is required.  Click here for a flyer.  

 

Water Quality Workshop 
Added For Williamston  
On Thursday March 30, 2017, the North Carolina Forest Service will be hosting another installment of its Water Quality Workshops at the Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center, which is located on 2900 NC Hwy 125 South  (Exit 512 off US 64), Williamston, NC 27892.  There is no registration fee and lunch is on-your-own.  Snacks and water will be provided courtesy of IP, Enviva and Domtar.
 
The agenda topics are outlined below. The official agenda can be downloaded from the NCFS website by clicking here.  
 
Please RSVP to:  ncfs.water@ncagr.gov to attend.  The workshop is worth  5.5 Hours of Cat.1 CFE credits are approved.   Certified Conservation Planner CEU credit will be provided.  

Forestry Day and Reverse Raffle 
May 2, 2017  
The NCFA's Forestry Day in the Legislature will take place on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 on the Halifax Mall in Raleigh.  Forestry Day is a great opportunity for NCFA members to reach out to their elected officials about the important role forests and the forest products industry.  

The Friends of Forestry Political Action Committee will once again be conducting a reverse raffle this year.  Tickets will be distributed to FFPAC members and NCFA Board Members at the NCFA's Board Meeting in February. 

The raffle, which is the FFPAC's top fundraising event, will take place on the evening of Forestry Day at the Hilton Garden Inn Raleigh Crabtree, which is located on 3912 Arrow Drive, Raleigh, NC.   This year promises to be the best raffle night in recent years!  In addition to heavy appetizers and beverages, there will be a special door prize raffle for those in attendance.   

You can make your reservations by clicking here or calling (919) 703-2525. The  NCFA has secured a limited room block for a rate of $129.  

The NCFA's second Board of Directors Meeting will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn Raleigh Crabtree on May 3, 2017.  

ProLogger Updates...             
Module 17 Class Schedule
The module class for this year is Module 17.  Please check the schedule in your area for the next offering of the course.  We will continue to update this newsletter and our website with class offerings.  If you are going to hold a class, please send Chris Brown an e-mail at cbrown@ncforestry.org so it can be added to the list. 

Date                      Time                      Location                      
3/23/17            5:00 p.m.        Lucky Clay Farms, Norwood, NC
3/31/17            8:30 a.m.        McDowell Tech, Marion, NC
3/31/17            1:00 p.m.        Halifax CC, Room 401, Weldon, NC
4/11/17            6:00 p.m.        Domtar, Plymouth, NC
4/25/17            6:00 p.m.         Forsyth County Ag Center, Winston-Salem, NC
4/28/17            1:00 p.m.         Chatham County Ag Center, Pittsboro, NC
5/4/17              5:30 p.m.        Weyerhaeuser Timberlands Bld, New Bern, NC
5/12/17          11:30 p.m.         Vance Granville CC, Louisburg, NC
5/17/17            6:00 p.m.        College of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City, NC
            Please call Renee' Winslow (252) 771-2497 before 5/11 to attend class.
6/28/17            6:00 p.m.        Roaring River VFD, Roaring River, NC

Tanner Hamilton and Dale Veon were two of the 55 participants in the ProLogger base class in Williamston.    
ProLogger Base Class Schedule
The NCFA will be hosting three offerings of the ProLogger Base Course in 2017.  The base course is a two-day program that is mandatory for all professional loggers who would like to earn ProLogger status.  

If you are interested in becoming a ProLogger, you must complete this course and then maintain in good standing by taking a continuing education component, namely training modules.  Please send Chris Brown an e-mail at cbrown@ncforestry.org if you would like to register for the next class. 

Date                                                      Location                                                       
Class List Martin CC Williamston, NC
May 24-25, 2017 Montgomery CC Troy, NC
October 11-12, 2017 McDowell Tech CC Marion, NC


Log A Load Events in 2017...
  
Sporting Clays Miracle Shoot -
August 4-5, 2017 at Rose Hill Farm in Nashville, NC  

Golf Tournament at River Landing - 
October 19, 2017 at River Landing in Wallace, NC 


If you have an event your would like to share, please forward to Chris Brown at cbrown@ncforestry.org
Meetings on the Horizon...
Forest Management Committee -                      
April 20, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. at NCFA office

Friends of Forestry PAC - 
April 21, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the NCFA office 

Forestry Day in the Legislature - 
May 2, 2017 on the Halifax Mall in Raleigh, NC

Friends of Forestry PAC Reverse Raffle - 
May 2, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at the  Hilton  Garden Inn Raleigh - Crabtree

NCFA Board of Directors - 
May 3, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. at the 
Hilton 
Garden Inn  Raleigh - Crabtree

North Carolina SFI State Implementation Committee -
May 17, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. at NCFA Office, Raleigh, NC

Safety, Logging and Transportation Committee -
May 18, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. at Cabela's, Garner, NC

Education Committee -
TBD

2017 Mid-Atlantic Expo - 
September 15-16, 2017 - Selma/Smithfield Area
  
2017 NCFA Annual Meeting - 
October 4-6, 2017 - Wilmington Hilton Riverside, Wilmington, NC 
Upcoming Events & Workshops

North Carolina Arbor Day Celebration - 
March 18, 2017 at the Farmers Market in Raleigh, NC

NCFS Water Quality Workshop -
March 30, 2017 at the Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center, 2900 NC Hwy 125 South, Williamston, NC 27892.  

The Southern Region Extension Forestry Webinar -
April 19, 2017 Southern Pine Beetle Webinar.  
Click here for details

National Firewood Workshop -
April 27, 2017 in Statesville, NC  Click here for a flyer.

Logging Cost Analysis - 
June 7-8, 2017 at the Alabama Forestry Commission in Montgomery, Alabama.  Click here for more information.

If you have an event your would like to share, please forward to Chris Brown at cbrown@ncforestry.org

SFTE Registration Open
It's Never Too Early to Promote the Sustainable Forestry Teachers Experience
The registrations for the Sustainable Forestry Teachers Experience are already rolling into the NCFA's office.  If you know a teacher in your area who may be interested in participating in the Experience while earning valuable continuing education credits and Project Learning Training, please share the attached flyer.
 
 
There will once again be three tours this year in the Mountains, Piedmont and Coast.  This program is generously supported by NCFA Member Companies and the North Carolina SFI State Implementation Committee.  

(left) Brian Council and Ted Garner (right) of West Fraser presented a $5,000 check to support the NCFA's Sustainable Forestry Teachers Experience in 2017 to the NCFA's Senior Director of Communications Chris Brown.  There will be Experiences in Asheville, New Bern and Southern Pines this year.  
 

Job Opportunities


High & High Seeks Head Sawyer and Millwright
High & High, Inc, a grade hardwood sawmill located in Vaughan, NC, is seeking to fill two positions, including a Head Sawyer to operate a circle saw.  Preferred candidate will have two or three years' experience.  In addition, High & High is seeking a millwright who must be proficient in welding, mechanical, electrical, hydraulics and pneumatic maintenance.  Please contact Robert High at (252) 257-2390 (day) or (252) 432-1807 (night).

Hunt Forest Resources, LLC-Timber Procurement Representative
Hunt Forest Resources, LLC is currently seeking to hire a Forester/Timber Procurement Representative to work out of the Pittsboro, NC office.  The position involves procuring timber within a multiple county area around central North Carolina for harvesting operations, which serve to supply raw material to numerous wood product markets within the region.  

Primary responsibilities would include purchasing timber, efficiently and effectively managing harvesting operations and maintaining or growing professional relationships with wood product markets, landowners and consulting foresters.   Additional job functions would include documenting, comprehending and following land and timber management plans in order to facilitate proper land management practices while always upholding all ethical and quality standards.  

Hunt Forest Resources, LLC takes pride in maintaining an excellent reputation as a responsible, ethical and professional leader in the regions wood products industry, and seeks a motivated, hard-working and honest individual who has self-initiative and drive to succeed, while maintaining the highest level of integrity.  Competitive salary, benefits and assigned truck included.  Contact Jason at jhoyle@huntforestry.com for more information.  
 
If you would like to share a job opportunity, please contact Chris Brown at (800) 231-7723 ext. 3 or cbrown@ncforestry.org.
 
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