TITLE OF PROGRAM OR ISSUE: Special Forest Products

1. Situational Statement: Although Ohio forests traditionally have been viewed as a source

of wood and paper, a variety of profitable products are being discovered that come not only from trees, but from non-woody plants, lichens, fungi, algae, and microorganisms. These forest and biotic resources are being transformed into medicinals, botanicals, decoratives, natural foods, and a host of other novel and useful products. These products are referred to as secondary, specialty, special, or non-timber forest products, although figured and defected wood are generally considered part of this group. Consumer forces, social climate, expanding global markets, and an increase in entrepreneuialism are contributing to a new interest in developing these products as a viable economic option.

2. Description/Educational Objectives: Stimulate interest in audience to attempt the collecting, growing and marketing of special forest products. Explore opportunities for collecting and processing special forest products as a complement to traditional forest product management and marketing. Emphasis to income or supplemental income generating opportunities.
3. Suggested Format & Time of Year: Anytime of year would be feasible. Spring and fall

would be better for field studies. See E. below for format.

4. Audience & Level of Offering (e.g. Individual Client, County, Multi-County,

District,Statewide): Special forest products is generally offered to adult landowners who are interested in developing forest resources for their own enjoyment or income generating. Farmers, forest landowners, non-resident landowners would be desirable audiences along with other urban or non-landowners interested in wildlife and enjoying or collecting.

5. Teaching Methods, Resources, Costs: An evening program would be conducted by lecture method, using slides, computer projection, and examples of income generating special forest products. An expanded all-day program would include an overview of the subject and generally, break-out sessions by specialists in specific forest products and business opportunities. Costs would vai-y from refreshment or lunch costs to those involving speaker and travel expenses.

Primary contact: E. Ronald Miller, Forestry/Wood Products Program Leader, OSU-

Piketon Research and Extension Center

Phone: (740) 289-2071

Columbus 2-4900

FAX:(740)289-4591

e-mail: miller. 1280(@osu.cdu