Mississippi Continuing Education for Professional Loggers

Laura A Grace
Associate Professor
Department of Forestry, Mississippi State University

Introduction

Loggers who have completed certification in one or more workshops may enter here:

Mississippi's Logger Education program developed as a unique partnership between the public and private sectors. Active groups include the Mississippi Loggers Association, the Mississippi Forestry Association, AF&PA member companies, and the Mississippi State University Extension Service. These groups, and other interested individuals, form the Mississippi logger Education Council (MLEC), which is the advisory board for logger education programs within Mississippi. MLEC membership includes logging contractors from the Mississippi Loggers Association (MLA), American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) member companies, Mississippi Forestry Association (MFA) members, Mississippi State University Extension Service representatives, safety and training consulting groups, and insurance providers.

The MLEC took the lead role in developing the curricula for the program. A subcommittee was formed within the MLEC to develop an overall program outline and materials for the logger education program. Contractors from the MLA Sustainable Forestry Initiative committee form the core of the curriculum subcommittee. Early in the curricula design process, the loggers suggested the program be designed as a continuing education program. Their desire was to see a program that would benefit the entire logging community. They felt that continuing education opportunities existed for employees of the AF&PA member companies, and logger's employees deserved similar opportunities. The initial program was designed to consist of four, day-long workshop modules:

• An Introduction to the Sustainable Forestry InitiativeBest Management Practices for Timber HarvestingTimber Harvesting and Transportation Safety
• Business Management for Professional Loggers

The first three workshops were designed for the logging contractors and their employees. The early anticipation was that the majority of these workshops would be conducted on Saturdays, particularly since the loggers wanted the opportunity to take their employees to the workshops. One of the strengths of the Mississippi program is that loggers from the MLA have been instrumental in both planning and developing the overall curriculum. The MLEC loggers' subcommittee spent several weekends during the fall of 1995 debating and outlining the content of the first four workshops. These outlines provided the framework from which the detailed lesson plans have been developed. The involvement of the loggers insured that the information was timely and relevant for the loggers and their employees participating in the program, and provides information to foresters about the challenges facing the logging profession. The active participation of the loggers has also resulted in a feeling of ownership in the program, which will be necessary for the successful implementation of a continuing education program.

Workshop Modules

An Introduction to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative

The first workshop module (An Introduction to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative) provides an overview of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. This includes information about the origin of SFI, as well as information about communicating and working with the public, an overview of biodiversity, endangered species and forest ecosystems, and forest regeneration. The program uses videos, slide presentations, and extensive discussions to facilitate the interest of the participants. Each participant receives a copy of a landowner folder developed for the SFI State Implementation Committee, which includes information about SFI, regeneration alternatives, and other information for landowners.

Best Management Practices

The second workshop module is the "Best Management Practices" workshop. This workshop includes information about the history of the Clean Water Act and BMPs, road construction and water diversion structures, pre-harvest planning, streamside management and stream crossings, mapping, and harvesting aesthetics. Attendees also participate in harvest planning exercise. This workshop uses a combination of videos, slides, discussions, and group exercises to facilitate learning. The Forest Resources Association has released a video-based BMP program for professional loggers developed by the MLEC BMP Curriculum Committee. An extensive handbook was developed for the participants, which includes additional information about BMPs and water quality issues.

Timber Harvesting and Transportation Safety

The third module in the program is "Timber Harvesting and Transportation Safety" workshop. The safety program begins with a "hazard recognition exercise". Large scale photographs are placed around the room and the participants working groups of four to identify hazards in the photos. The next segment is devoted to body mechanics and ergonomics. The OSHA logging standard is presented as well as information about transportation safety. As with other workshop modules, videos, slides, and discussions are the primary techniques used to convey information. Contractors also receive a notebook containing additional safety and ergonomic information.

Business Management

The fourth module, Business Management, is designed for the logging business owner and key business management staff. This module includes information about forms of business organization, multiple businesses, recordkeeping, the Fair Labor Standards Act, insurance, independent contractor status, depreciation, and introduces systems cost analysis. This program differs in format from the first three modules in that it is designed to be presented in two four hour segments offered on consecutive nights