2004 Annual Report for ENE03-077
Timber to truffles: West Virginia workshops in traditional and special forest products
Summary
In recent times, there has been an explosion of information and markets for special forest products (medicinal herbs, mushrooms, natural textiles, etc.). West Virginia has habitats that are ideal for many of these woodland medicinals and specialty products, many of which have a long established tradition of being important forest commodities. This proposal seeks funding to provide training in traditional and special forest products to 80 extension agents, West Virginia Division of Forestry service foresters, NRCS technical staff and associates, and West Virginia Conservation Service Supervisors and staff over the course of two years—40 in the first year and 40 in the second year. These targeted beneficiaries will generate a total of 16 extra workshops within two years of their respective attendance at the Timber to Truffles workshops.
Objectives/Performance Targets
1. Training in traditional and special forest products to 80 extension agents, West Virginia Division of Forestry service foresters, NRCS technical staff and associates, and West Virginia Conservation Service Supervisors and staff over the course of two years—40 in the first year and 40 in the second year.
2. At least 10 percent (4 beneficiaries) of these 80 workshop attendees will sponsor woodlot trainings or seminars within a year of completing the training workshop and a total of 20 percent (8 beneficiaries) do this within two years. Hence, the targeted beneficiaries will generate a total of 16 extra workshops.
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Accomplishments/Milestones
1. 200 individuals contacted through advertising, 40 register for workshop 1st year.
On July 21-23th, the first “Timber-to-Truffles” workshop was held at Glenville State University. 33 participants including 2 extension agents, 1 West Virginia Division of Forestry forester, and 1 NRCS staff person attended the workshop. The remaining participants were primarily private forest owners who had completed the West Virginia Coverts/ Master Forestland Owner training.
2. 4 “initial” participants will facilitate a workshop between July 2004-July 2005. This will be assessed by a follow-up survey.
3. 200 individuals contacted through advertising, 40 register for workshop 2nd year.
4. 4 “new” and 4 “initial” participants will facilitate a workshop between July 2005-July 2006. This will be assessed by a follow-up survey.
5. 4 “new” participants will facilitate a workshop between July 2006-July 2007.
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Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes
To date (prior to our 2005 final survey of workshop participants), no reports of workshop participants facilitating meetings in traditional and nontraditional forest products have been received.