EXTENSION REPORT

Chainsaw Maintenance and Safety Workshop Announced

            Due to tropical storms and thunderstorms, many south Alabama residents have sometimes become reluctant lumberjacks. In many cases, residents who have never used chainsaws have been forced to use them to clear paths to their homes, and to remove debris from their property. This is an unfortunate and even dangerous situation, since most people have never received training on the safe operation of chainsaws. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System in conjunction with the Gulf Coast Resource Conservation & Development Council is offering two free chainsaws seminars on chainsaw safety on August 16th in Mobile and August 18 th in Spanish Fort.

The program will feature nationally recognized chainsaw safety instructor Mr. Tim Ard.  Since 1974, Ard has worked in about all facets of the power equipment industry. For over ten of those years he has trained thousands of end users in safe and productive use of chainsaws and power equipments. Ard has specialized primarily in chainsaw safety, and is the co-developer of the Soren Eriksson Game of Logging and ArborMaster.  He travels the nation doing seminars, and hands-on demonstrations on precision felling and safe and efficient chain saw operation.  He has been featured on television on shows such as, The Victory Garden, Backyard America, and Ask this Old House.

The seminars/demonstrations will be conducted at Azalea City Golf Course in Mobile on August 16th and at Blakeley State Park in Spanish Fort on August 18th    The seminars/demonstrations start at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 3:00 p.m. In addition to the free professional chainsaw training, there will be door prizes sponsored by the Gulf Coast Resource Conservation and Development agency, certificates for discounts on personal protective equipment from Husqvarna, and a sponsored lunch. To register for the seminar at Blakeley State Park, call the Baldwin County Extension Office at 937-7176. To register for the seminar at the Azalea City Golf Course, call the Mobile County Extension Office at 574-8445.   These seminars have limited attendance and slots will be given on a first-come-first serve basis.

Cost Sharing Programs for Timberland Owners Announced

            In Alabama there is long list of state and federal agencies available to provide assistance to timberland owners.  The assistance may come in the way of expertise or via financial assistance.  It is not always easy, however, to be aware or understand the various programs and their criteria, forms, and benefits.  The Baldwin County Forestry Planning Committee and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System invite timberland owners to attend a seminar aimed at identifying and reviewing available cost sharing opportunities.

            The seminar will be on August 14, 2007, 6:00 p.m. at the ALFA Building on Highway 59 in Robertsdale.  There is no cost for attendance and a free dinner will be provided by ALFA.  Please pre-register for the seminar by August 10 by calling the Baldwin County Extension Office at (251) 937-7176.

Email address: brodbam@auburn.edu
Phone: 937-7176 or 943-5611, ext. 2222

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.