Agricultural Sciences

Timber 2013 event offers education for forest-products professionals

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- A variety of workshops and demonstrations will provide valuable information to forest-products professionals who attend the 2013 Forest Products Equipment and Technology Exposition on June 7 and 8 at Penn State's Ag Progress Days site at Rock Springs.

Known as Timber 2013, the bi-annual trade exposition is hosted by the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association. Parking and admission are free.

The leading hardwood-producing state in the nation, Pennsylvania is home to more than 2,100 forest-product companies and 500,000 forest landowners. The forest-products industry has $16 billion in annual sales and generates about $27 billion a year for the state's economy.

Loggers, sawmill operators, value-added processors and forest landowners who visit Timber 2013 can see live demonstrations of the latest technology and learn about new production and management methods, according to Penn State's Bob Oberheim, Timber 2013 manager.

"With more than 70 commercial and educational exhibitors and in-the-woods machinery demonstrations, those involved in forest-related businesses can get a firsthand look at new equipment and what it can do," he said.

Equipment demonstrations will include in-the-woods harvesting of hardwoods and softwoods -- showcasing feller bunchers, harvesters and forwarders -- and a wood-waste recycling demonstration area, featuring horizontal grinders and chippers.

"In addition, many exhibitors will have active equipment on their sites, and a ride-and-drive area will enable visitors to get hands-on experience with log skidders," Oberheim said.

Other demonstrations will feature wood carvings by Jason Emmons and exhibitions of axe-throwing, underhand chopping and crosscutting by the Penn State student Woodsmen's Team, which travels to compete in various regional and national collegiate events.

Oberheim said visitors also can tour Penn State's nearby demonstration woodlot to see how different management techniques can maintain forest health, achieve the highest long-term economic return, improve road access, protect streams and enhance wildlife habitat.

Timber 2013 also is an excellent opportunity for visitors to engage in professional development through workshops and seminars, noted Paul Lyskava, Pennsylvania Forest Products Association executive director.

"Seminars will cover business and policy topics of importance to the industry," Lyskava said. "The networking and educational programs Timber 2013 provides can help business owners and their employees to stay current on emerging trends, navigate regulatory issues and take advantage of opportunities to maintain and grow their operations."

Workshops and discussions planned to date include the following:

-- Transportation Funding Forum (noon, June 7), hosted by the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association and led by Lyskava and Bradley Mallory, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation deputy secretary for administration.

-- Help Wanted -- KWPA School Outreach and Industry Stipend Program (1:30 p.m., June 7), presented by Keystone Wood Products Association.

-- EPA Current Engine Emission Requirements (3 p.m., June 7), presented by Taylor Machine Works.

-- Forest Security -- Protecting Your Most Valuable Asset (11 a.m., June 8), presented by Forest Products Credit by AgChoice FC.

Also available on both days of the show will be a Pennsylvania Sustainable Forestry Initiative training course, which will enable loggers to meet their annual PA SFI continuing education requirements. Although not required, attendees are encouraged to preregister by calling 814-355-1010 or visiting the PA SFI website.

The Ag Progress Days site -- at Penn State's Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center -- is centrally located for most of the state's forest-products industry, about nine miles southwest of State College on state Route 45.

Primary sponsors for Timber 2013 currently include Forest Products Credit by AgChoice FC, Foster F. Wineland Inc./John Deere Forestry, Keystone Wood Products Association, Pendu Manufacturing Inc., Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council and Taylor Machine Works Inc.

For information on Timber 2013, call 814-863-2873 or visit the show website. Twitter users can find and share information about the event by using the hashtag #PaTimberShow.

Educational seminars and demonstrations of the latest technology for the forest-products industry will be featured at Timber 2013, June 7-8. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

Last Updated May 20, 2013

Contact