POW Title: Value-Added Forest Products: Wood and Non-Wood

Situation Statement:

The residents of Pennsylvania need to be aware of the importance of wood and non-wood forest products in our lives. They continue to consume wood-based materials at an increasing rate, yet there is widespread belief that the harvesting of trees has adverse effects on the environment. The wood industry has challenges that can prevent the optimal use of the available wood supply and optimal development of the industry. Most of the forest products firms, both wood and non-wood, are very small companies and can benefit from assistance in production, manufacturing, and marketing areas.

Pennsylvania’s wood and non-wood forest products industries play a significant role in the Commonwealth’s economy. The wood industry accounts for 10 percent of the state’s manufacturing employment with about 90,000 employees. The 2,200 wood products-related companies have annual sales over 4 billion dollars. Individual firms range from one-person cabinet shops to major facilities that employ several hundred persons. Products span the spectrum from disposable diapers to wooden cabinets, and from engineered wood products to fine furniture. The wood products industry represents a major economic opportunity, spurred by a plentiful supply of timber and unprecedented global demand for many of the select hardwood species that comprise Pennsylvania’s forests. In addition, non-wood forest products, such as maple syrup, shiitake mushrooms, and ginseng, provide a boost to the economy in many rural areas.

The use of wood and non-wood forest products continues to be an intelligent and responsible choice for society. Wood as an industrial raw material is sustainable, renewable, and much of the time is used for products that have the potential to be recycled at the end of their service life. In fact, of the 500 million tons of industrial raw materials consumed annually in the United States, wood makes up almost half (47%) of this quantity by weight. The energy consumption when manufacturing lumber and wood products accounts for only 4 percent of the annual net energy consumed in the manufacture of all industrial raw materials in our country, when reduced by the energy produced by the burning of process by-products and wood waste. The renewable nature and energy consumption in manufacturing provides a material that is extremely important for our future.

Therefore, as we strive to sustainably use our only renewable primary raw material resource, we must continue to provide training to the industrial work force and the general public, such that we produce skilled managers, wood workers, and knowledgeable wood and non-wood products consumers. These needs are best addressed by appropriate educational programs tailored to the target audiences, comprising the industry, the public (youth and adult), and county extension personnel.

SUB POW: 1.B.1. Wood-based Forest Products

Objective: 1.B.1.1. (Forest Products Knowledge and Consumer Awareness) Participants, upon completion of educational programming, will gain knowledge of the everyday importance of products that originate in the forest and will be able to identify at least 10 different products that come from the forest, or they will recognize five additional factors relating to the scope, benefits, and concerns of using wood products or wood-based materials.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

1. Number of participants.
2. Number of participants that demonstrate the ability to identify at least 10 different products that come from the forest or recognize five additional factors, as demonstrated by test, quiz, assignment or record book completion.

Objective: 1.B.1.2. (Careers in Forest Products) Participants will be able to identify different careers associated with the wood products industry upon completion of an educational program.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

1. Number of participants.
2. Number of participants who demonstrate the ability to identify multiple career opportunities in wood products as demonstrated by test, survey, quiz or record book completion.

Objective: 1.B.1.3. (Marketing of Wood-Based Forest Products) Wood products companies will make at least one change in their marketing strategy within one year of completion of a marketing program.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

1. Number of participants/contacts.
2. Number of participants/contacts who indicate an intention to make changes in marketing strategy(ies).

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

3. Number of participants/contacts who actually made changes in marketing strategy(ies)
4. Number of participants/contacts who increased sales as a result of changed marketing strategy(ies).

Objective: 1.B.1.4. (Wood Harvesting and Processing Safety) Participants who harvest or process wood will adopt safety changes and/or adopt the use of a "Safety Checklist" in their operation within one year of completion of a safety program.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

1. Number of participants/contacts.
2. Number of participants/contacts who intend to adopt a safety practice(s).

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

3. Number of participants/contacts who adopt a safety practice(s).

Objective: 1.B.1.5. (Efficiency, Quality, and Technology Transfer in Wood Processing) Existing and potential wood industry participants will be able to identify new skills or techniques that they will use to improve the efficiency and quality of their work after receiving training, or will utilize at least one new/improved technology or develop one new product.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

1. Number of participants/contacts.
2. Number of participants/contacts who indicate an intention to adopt a new skill(s) and/or technique(s).

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

3. Number of participants/contacts adopting a new skill(s) or technique(s).
4. Number of participants/contacts that accomplish any of the following: Time saved, annual cost savings/cost avoidance, increased sales, jobs created or saved.

SUB POW: 1.B.2. Non-Wood Products

Objective: 1.B.2.1. (Non-Wood Forest Products Production) Pennsylvania's non-wood product producers, will know of available agroforestry/non-wood income opportunities (maple products, forest herbs, mushrooms, hunting leases, recreational opportunities, etc.) or will adopt improved methods or techniques after receiving educational programming in new or improved technologies, quality maintenance, methods for increasing production, and marketing.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

1. Number of participants/contacts.
2. Number of participants/contacts who indicate an increased understanding of agroforestry/non-wood forest products.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

3. Number of participants/contacts who intend to adopt an agroforestry/non-wood forest product income opportunity(s).
4. Number of participants/contacts who intend to adopt improved methods, techniques, and skills in the agroforestry/non-wood forest product practice(s).

POW Titles || POW 1B Audiences || POW 1B Resources