NEW DIRECTIONS:
REVITALIZING LOUISIANA FORESTLANDS

Louisiana forestry is on the move. There is a new Commissioner of Agriculture & Forestry, Dr. Mike Strain. Land ownership patterns are changing, and there are many opportunities becoming available for landowners regarding the utilization of forest resources.

There are approximately 14 million acres of forestlands in Louisiana. Nearly 81% or 11.34 million acres are owned by private non-industrial landowners. These lands are extremely important for meeting the demands of forest product industries and society as well as fulfilling the objectives of owners.

The forum will be an excellent opportunity for current and future forest landowners and the entire forestry community to hear Dr. Strain’s views on Louisiana forestry and become aware of forestry’s “hot” topics.

The forum also will be a timely occasion for the North Louisiana forestry community to show full support for sustaining and enhancing our forest resources.

LOCATION

The Hilton Garden Inn is located south of I-20, Exit 113, Downing Pines Rd. exit: Across from Ike Hamilton Expo Center, West Monroe, La.

AGENDA

7:30 – 8:15 Registration

Welcome

National Forestland Trends: Implications for Private Forest Landowners, William Hubbard, Southern Regional Extension Forester, Athens, Ga.

Louisiana Family Ownership of Timberlands: The Disappearing Legacy, Sam Crawford, President, The Crawford Forestry Group. Inc., Shreveport, La.

Is Tomorrow’s Fuel in Today’s Trees?, Michael Blazier, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, LSU AgCenter, Hill Farm Research Station, Homer, La.

10:00 - 10:15 Break

Carbon Credit Opportunities for Forest Landowners, Eric Taylor, Ph.D., Associate Professor & Extension Forestry Specialist, Texas A&M University, Overton, Texas

Value-added Structural Products from Small-diameter Trees, Cheng Piao, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, LSU AgCenter, Calhoun Research Station, Calhoun, La.

Viewing Louisiana Forestry, Dr. Mike Strain, Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, Baton Rouge, La.

Noon - Release from meeting to view AgExpo exhibits and sample Louisiana agricultural products (fried catfish, beef, dairy products, poultry, pecans, etc.). Ike Hamilton Expo Center.

SPONSORS