The 25th h-h Forestry Wildlife Camp was conducted at Camp Millstone h H Camp. This special anniversary was recognized by: presentation by Dr. William

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1 ANNUAL REPORT FY TQ EXTENSION FOREST RESOURCES For the past two years the Extension Forest Resources Department has moved strongly into the area of Wood for Industrial Fuel. The Extension Administration provided funding for a half time combustion engineer to assist non wood using industries in evaluating their energy needs. This work was culminated with a very successful Workshop and Trade Show on "Wood Fuel for Small Industrial Energy Users." Over 275 participants attended representing 25 states. In addition to the Workshop and Trade Show, a users manual "Decision maker's Guide to Wood Fuel for Small Industrial Energy Users" was edited by specialistsof the department. The Governor's Interagency Small Woodlot Committee has continued to be very active. A brochure "Selling Your Timber? First, See a Forester" was completed and h00,000 copies were distributed. About 250,000 brochures were mailed out by the ASCS office to all landowners with farm numbers through the ASCS offices in North Carolina. The additional brochures were supplied to each county to be distributed through the S.C.S., Extension Service, N. C. Forest Service and the Wildlife Resources Commission. After reviewing the plans of work for each of the 100 counties of the state, an Extension Forest Resources plan of work was developed. This departmental plan of work reflects programs that will meet the needs of the counties. Pro grams to receive special emphasis included Wood for Energy (home and industrial), market development, selection and use of wood products, small woodland owner, and Christmas tree production.

2 The 25th h-h Forestry Wildlife Camp was conducted at Camp Millstone h H Camp. This special anniversary was recognized by: presentation by Dr. William E. Towell, Executive Director of the American Forestry Association; Dr. Donald Stormer, State h-h Leader; the dedication of Camp Millstone as a Tree Farm; and the presentation of the National h H Tree Farm Week Award Plaque. A very successful program was developed and put into operation that would be a valuable asset to small woodland owners. This is the Standing Timber Price Reporting Teletip Program. Any landowner in North Carolina can for the first time dial the toll free teletip number to find out the average stumpage prices paid for timber in any of the three geographic regions and for pine or white pine, poplar and other soft hardwoods, and oak or other hardwoods. During the first three months on the Extension Teletip System, over 6000 calls were received. This price reporting is updated monthly. In addition to the teletip price reporting, each county now receives a more detailed monthly report on stumpage, as well as delivered prices. This county report is much more inclusive of forest products and is available to landowners or others interested in such reports. The important breakthrough is that this timber price reporting has not been available to landowners at all, as similar price reporting has been available for most all agricultural commodities. A package of material was sent to each County Extension Office to provide ideas for planning county plans of work. The package included displays available, slide/tape/script sets, publications, programs available from the Extension Forest Resources Department, etc. By having this package, the County Extension Staff may utilize the programs and specialist staff to the best advantage in preparing their county plan of work.

3 One of Extension's most successful educational programs is the establishment of demonstrations at the county level. These demonstrations in forestry are long range in nature and will be used in landowner tours. During the past year over A6 demonstrations were established in 25 counties. These demonstrations included: specie planting; length of life pier post; forestry result of various silvicultural practices; kudzu control; herbicide site preparation using Velpar, Round up, and Trimec; firewood timber stand improvement; and thinning. Like other agricultural commodity groups, a real effort is being made to organize County Forest Resources Associations as an organized group through which we may conduct our educational programs. At the beginning of this reporting period, there were about twenty three (23) such associations. During this period eight (8) new County Forest Resources Associations were organized. Through these associations and other County Extension meetings, over 35 programs were presented on timberland taxation and new legislation, timber stand improvement, association organization, and other areas of forest resources. A growing interest in forestry and the environment is expanding county programs related to the recognition of Arbor Day. During the past year seven counties conducted Arbor Day programs. In New Hanover, Brunswick and Fender Counties alone, over 30,000 seedlings were distributed to over 900 families. Again this year several insect pests have been active primarily in Western North Carolina. 0f major significance to the Fraser fir Christmas tree growers and the recreational tourism industry is the balsam woolly aphid. Interest has been generated primarily through Extension efforts to bring together representations of all agencies and organizations to study and evaluate this serious pest. A 30-minute video tape "Fraser Fir, a Phoenix of the Southern Appalachians" was developed by Extension and aired on Educational Television WUNC TV across

4 the state. This same video tape was used for many other meetings and workshops. Other insects requiring Extension educational programs included: the Introduced Pine Sawfly, Gypsy Moth, and the Southern Pine Beetle. Each of these insects are potentially dangerous to the forest industry and landowners of the state. To alert county agents, nurserymen, Christmas tree growers, campground owners, and other agencies on identification and control of these insects, information was sent out along with conducting meetings and workshops on these pests. Since Christmas tree production is such an important income producer in North Carolina, a very strong Christmas tree program is conducted by Extension. Individual assistance and training was given to County Extension Agents with forestry responsibility. In addition to agent training, a very close working relationship is maintained with the North Carolina Christmas Tree Growers' Association. Six area Christmas Tree Association meetings were conducted which included over 700 growers or potential growers and 3h Extension agents. Extension organized and conducted a field tour for the North Carolina Christmas Tree Growers' summer meeting in Jackson County with over 225 attending. In addition Extension organized and conducted a Christmas tree program for the N. C. Chapter of the Society of American Foresters which was held in Avery County. With Andrew Weber on a one-year Inter governmental Personnel Loan to USDA SEA Extension Natural Resources Unit in Washington, D. C., the wildlife program was not able to maintain a normal Extension wildlife program. Although short handed, significant accomplishments were made. The most significant and far reaching effort was made in signing a Memorandum of Agreement between the N. C. Agricultural Extension Service and the

5 N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Not only was this agreement signed, but implementation of this agreement was begun immediately. Another accomplishment was the completion and printing of a new series of of h H Wildlife literature. This literature was developed on a regional basis with input from all states in the region. The Southern region did an outstanding job of developing this literature which will be available for use in the fall of In cooperation with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a publication on "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife" was printed. This publication was distri buted to our County Extension Offices for immediate use. In addition to the publication, a slide/tape set has been developed as a teaching tool for this program. The slide/tape sets will be available to Extension agents through the Extension Visual Aids Department. Wood for industrial and home heating fuel continues to be a vital thrust for Extension Forest Resources. A tour was organized and conducted for the North Carolina media and a USDA Washington film crew on "Wood as an Industrial Fuel." The N. C. media tour involved four (A) major newspapers and three (3) television stations. This tour was a cooperative program between Extension Agricultural Information and Forest Resources. A series of workshops on "Wood in Home Construction" organized by Extension Forest Resources were cooperatively conducted with County Extension Agents and various trade associations. Total attendance included over 355 at eight (8) different locations. These participants were primarily builders and building material dealers. Local residents were also invited and attended by people in the planning processes of new home construction or expansion of existing units.

6 Because of escalating fuel prices for home heating, greater emphasis is now being placed on wood for home heating. Through a new slide/tape developed by Extension on "Home Heating with Wood" and other teaching aids such as a movie, publications, slide sets, etc., over 15 programs were presented to county audiences. In addition to workshops, newspaper articles, television programs, meetings with wood stove dealers, firewood suppliers, and other agencies have been used and are being expanded. Cooperative work has been conducted with the N. C. Department of Transpor tation concerning the use of bark for mulching highway cut and fill slopes. Hardwood bark has proven to be a competitive mulch which stays in place and is less expensive than many other mulches. The Person County Raw Materials and Markets study was completed. This publication is presently being advertised by the Economic Development Division of the N. C. Department of Commerce in trade journals for the purpose of bringing new forest industries into the state. A series of workshops over a six week period was conducted in Williamston and Roanoke Rapids for loggers. This series of workshops on "Production and Cost Analysis" was presented in an innovative way which made the information very interesting and useful to all participants. Video tapes were made of various logging equipment in operation. These tapes were played back on TV monitors. Each logger was given a stop watch.to time each piece of equipment and evaluate its efficiency. Through this procedure a logger can evaluate his own equipment for best efficiency. A joint study was conducted with the N. C. Forest Service using the Kockums 880 Feller Buncher on steep slopes in Western North Carolina. This study evaluated not only the equipment capabilities, but determined timber volume availability at different slopes as well.

7 For the use with the "Wood Stove Exhibit", a slide/tape set was developed on Chainsaw Safety and Timber Stand Improvement. This Exhibit was used in the Forest Resoures building at the State Fair and it has been in constant demand across the state by County Extension Agents. Important work continues with thefvrnitureindustry of North Carolina. With the increase in lumber prices and the reduction of locally grown quality hardwood timber, it is essential this lumber be handled properly during the drying process. Workshops for dry kiln operators continue to take priority. Greater emphasis is being placed on the use of pre driers. Studies are being conducted and the results are being put into use through meetings, workshops, conferences, and individual contacts. The department through its commitment to the h H program provide assistance to and judging of h H activities including: forestry, wildlife and archery. Judging is provided for both district and state competition. In addition to activity judging, the department is responsible for judging the department h H Long Time Record Books. During this past year, national winners were declared in forestry, conservation, wood science and wildlife. Each of these national winners were from North Carolina. In addition to Extension activities, the specialistsof the Department were very active serving on School and University committees, writing publications, serving as guest lecturers, and attending meetings and conferences. Monthly television programs are conducted live on Channel 28 with Hap Hansen's "Today" Show. Four newsletters are maintained by the department. These include the Forest Resources, Tarheel Timberman, Wildlife and the Wood Products Newsletters.

8 Annual Report for FY l979 Extension Forest Resources Statement of the problem or opportunity The long-term trends of increasing consumer demand for all timber products, habitat for wildlife, outdoor recreation opportunities and conservation of water and soil resources have increased in all sectors. While these trends are indicative of many shortand long-run opportunities for the 240,000 North Carolina forest landowners, most have taken less than aggressive action in practicing.sound forest management. Private nonindustrial-owned forest lands are, collectively, North Carolina s largest single class of ownership. Yet, there still persists a widespread philosophy of mining rather than managing their forest resources. The need for increasing wood fiber productivity to meet consumer demands in the next thirty years and further allocate sufficient land for multiple use, such as recreation and wildlife management in a perspective that is sound economics, becomes a focal point and challenge for professional forestry and extension educational programs. Rapidly increasing energy costs have made many wood products and other industries, and institutions reevaluate their fuel use and look at the economic feasibility of burning mill and forest residues. This offers a tremendous potential for increasing revenue to the landowner and others involved in supplying the fuel as well as to those burning wood. Within the last year many wood products companies have taken steps to become self sufficient. in addition, several brick companies and textile plants in North Carolina have announced plans or started to burn wood as a fuel. Finally, inflation, increased costs, etc. are forcing all wood users from managers of sawmills and furniture plants to builders and homeowners to look more closely at the efficiency with which they use wood. Proper selection, protection, storage, drying, cutting, and finishing of wood are all areas of concern. Extension has the responsibility and capability to address these problems using combinations of case studies, demonstrations, workshops, other meetings, publications, and mass media. Educational objectives can be met through the N. C, County Extension organization, and by cooperation with U. S. and N. C. Forest Services, TVA, extension services in other states, other subject matter departments at N. C. State University, and other state agencies.

9 Summary of progress Programs of major emphasis by the Department included: Woodland Owner Management Program (WOMP); In-Service Workshop for Agents with Forest Resources responsibility; h-h Forestry- Wildlife Camp; Governor's Small Woodlot Report and Committee; Chancellor's Review of School of Forest Resources; Plan of Work; Wood Energy; Wood in Home Construction; Newsletters; Demonstrations; Mass Media; Teletips; and County Forestry Associations. The Woodland Owner Management Program is a major, federally funded project designed to reach and teach woodland owners the benefits of sound forest management. Over thirty five (35) meetings and tours were conducted at the county level to test the WOMP project. Only through educational programs such as these will the woodland owners learn and adopt these management practices. A three day in-service training workshop was conducted in Asheville for thirty-seven (37) County Extension Agents with Forest Resources responsibility. Through this workshop, these agents will be more aware of the Extension Forest Resources Specialist staff (who they are, and what specialties they offer), and what support programs the Department has to offer the agents at the county level. This ln-service Training Workshop was the culmination of three (3) such workshops across the state. 4-H and youth programs are given special emphasis by the department. This is evident in our h-h Forestry-Wildlife Camp held at Camp Millstone. Over 75 boys and girls from across the state participated in this week long camp. This year marked the 25th year of the camp. Recognition was given this camp by the dedication of Camp Millstone as a Tree Farm. Dr. William Towell, past Executive Director of the American Forestry Association and Dr. Donald Stormer presented inspirational messages to the campers at a special ceremony. in addition, North Carolina was chosen as the National A-H Tree Farm Award state which was also recognized at this camp. Other h H programs conducted by the department includes judging of long-time record books in forestry, wildlife and conservation. District and state judging activities include forestry, wildlife, and archery. A Natural Resources Personnel Directory for County Extension use was published. This directory will be instrumental in identifying various resource people in each county to contact for assistance in Natural Resources programs.

10 -3- One of the most significant activities of the year relating to forestry was the Report of the Governor s Small Woodlot Task Force. The recommendations of the report will do much to strengthen the total forestry program of the state. Extension Forest Resources was directly involved with the report and will be even more involved in carrying out many of the recommendations in cooperation with other state and federal agencies. The Extension Forest Resources Department participated in the Chancellor s Review of the School of Forest Resources. This was a welcomed opportunity for the Department to report directly to the Chancellor, Provost, and other members of the review team, Wood as an alternate energy source to fossil fuels has been one of the major emphasis areas of the Department and the results of this emphasis is beginning to show significant results. Program efforts were concentrated on the non-wood products industries and institutions exploring the potential of using wood energy to replace fossil fuel energy. By the end of the year, three brick companies, two textile plants, and a public school were burning wood. Two other brick companies, two textile plants, and a state hospital are installing wood burning equipment and several other organizations are evaluating the use of wood as a fuel. In addition, the largest wood pelletizing plant in the United States has started operation at Goldston, N. C. producing pellets for fuel. Other wood energy related projects have shown that wood can be used successfully to heat turkey houses, and that there are several economical methods for protecting dry furniture residues in the summer when they are to be used for fuel in the winter. Exhibits, publications, and teletips habe been prepared to answer the numerous questions on use of wood for home heating. Landowners in much of the Piedmont and Mountain regions of North Carolina are plagued by a lack of satisfactory markets for many of their forest products. Energy wood is seen as one answer to this problem. However, considerable effort has also been given to developing markets for higher valued products. The Department was largely responsible for the market development component of the Governor's Advisory Task Force Recommendations to increase the Productivity of Small Woodlots in North Carolina. A detailed study of market potentials in the North Central District has continued, and preliminary work on potential locations for pulp plants has been undertaken. Results of a continuing educational program on proper drying of lumber at furniture plants are becoming increasingly apparent as lumber prices increase and industry becomes more aware of the losses occurring. Recommendations on how to stock and dry hardwoods are now being implemented by companies and efforts are being made to quantify the material and dollar savings.

11 -q- Wood in Home Construction workshops attracted approximately 550 builders, building material suppliers, and homeowners interested in learning more about specifications of wood building materials and cost saving construction techniques. A major construction company building approximately 2,000 homes a year revised its wood materials purchase system as a result of the workshops and states that it is now building better houses at a lower cost. Implementation of the methods discussed at the workshop could reduce the cost of an average house by up to $500. Five newsletters are now produced and distributed by the Department which include: Forest Resources, Wildlife, Outdoor Education News, Tarheel Timberman, and N. C. Wood Products News. Each newsletter is designed for a specific audience which includes the County Extension Agent. Extension Forest Resources continued strong support of county programs aimed at the private nonindustrial forest landowner. Forty (90) landowners and agency meetings and tours were held involving 39 counties statewide. New educational landowner associations were formed in 5 counties. Over 75 demonstrations showing a wide range of multiple use forestry practices were established. Extension's educational leadership coupled with increasing interagency cooperation has resulted in an increase of over 85 percent in the number of landowners requesting cost-shared forestry management practices through the N. C. Forest Service and ASCS program. Since the Department has no forestry technicians to assist in the establishment and maintenance of forestry long-range result demonstrations across the state, this important teaching tool is not being developed to its potential. It is hard to justify a large amount of a specialist's time on result demonstrations with so many other demands on his time. in addition to result demonstrations, Extension specialists and agents must utilize the media to get the word to the largest number of citizens across the state. A concentrated effort has been made to utilize the media, especially radio, television, newspaper and magazines. During the past year the Department has conducted over twenty (20) television and fifteen (l5).radio programs. Over twenty-five (25) newspaper, and fifteen (l5) magazine articles were written and published. An innovative media educational tool has been the very successful Extension Teletip program, Presently about 800 topics are included in the system of which the Extension Forest Resources Department wrote' scripts for about seventy five (75). As greater publicity is given this program, the real value of this effort will be evident from the number of calls received through Teletip as well as to the County Extension Office.

12 -5. Since the Small Woodland Owner is hard to reach, the Department is working hard with the County Extension Agent to establish County Forest Resources Associations. These are landowner associations and if organized properly will give us a nucleus of landowners to provide educational programs to. Professionals and agency representatives should only act in advisory capacity. Over twenty (20) associations are established and active presently with about ten (l0) more in the organizational stages. Hopefully with the County Plans-of Work, this year we will see many more counties interested in developing these Forestry Commodity Associations. This Department will support this program with high priority, A real push will come through the establishment of County Small Woodlot Committees. This Committee will be a county level interagency committee with specific, goals, one of which will be organization of County Forestry Associations. Christmas tree production is on the increase in North Carolina; therefore, very strong leadership is given this program. Unless the growers produce quality trees, the markets will not be available. Support is given to Extension Agents, N. C. Christmas Tree Growers' Association, N. C. Forest Service, TVA, and other agencies working with this important Christmas tree commodity. ' 0f concern and under a watchful eye are five (5) potential forest insect problems to the state. These insects include the Southern Pine Beetle, introduced Pine Sawfly, Balsam Woolly Aphid, Spruce Spider Mite, and the Gypsy Moth. Hopefully, these insects can be controlled. Educational programs are being developed to alert agents, the news media, other agencies, and the public on the identification, damaging effects, and control of these insects. A very successful Spring Conservation Retreat was conducted cooperatively with the American Forestry Association in western North Carolina with over 250 attending. Some of the educational classes offered included forestry, wildlife, geology, bird ecology, wildflower identification (basic and advanced), tree identification, map and compass, and back country first-aid. In addition to the adult program was a total youth program designed and conducted to teach young people ages 5 through l3 an appreciation for our natural resources, A major educational field trip was conducted for about 50 adults to the Coweeta Hydrological Laboratory in Macon County. Last, but not least should be mentioned awards or honors of various specialists. Larry Jahn was the winner of the State Specialist Association Award for the best package program for l978 (a slide/tape set on the Forest Products Industry in North Carolina). Michael Levi received a Certificate of Merit from the N. C. Home Builders Association in recognition for services to the Association and Home Building [ndustry during l978. Dr. Levi was also a recipient of the Outstanding Extension Service Award.

13 Innovative approaches For planning purposes at the county level (Plan of Work assistance), the Department developed a packet of material identifying program aids available from the Department. This material included available teaching aids, such as slide/tape sets, publications, and programs available. The material was distributed to every county and to each major Extension programming area (Home Economics, 4-H/Youth, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Community Resource Development) in each county. Activity Guides were prepared for a series of Southern Regional h-h Wildlife material. This material will be available for leader training during l A new series of National h-h Forestry literature will also be available during This literature will replace some of the existing h-h Forestry literature. Extension sponsored Wood in Home Construction workshops attracted over 500 builders, building material suppliers, and homeowners interested in learning more about specifications of wood products and cost-saving building techniques. Use of the methods described would cut the cost of an average home by up to $500. A major construction company estimated that the information provided on specification of particleboard and plywood will enable them to save more than $200,000 a year by reducing the amount of material which they have to reject or replace.