In 2003, a severe ice storm devastated the Tygarts State Forest located in northeastern Kentucky. Hardwood Forestry Fund contributors provided a forest management grant to help with site preparation work on 245 acres to remove broken trees and to encourage natural growth of young quality hardwood trees. The successful effort has helped a damaged forest regain health and productivity. The project manager reports natural regeneration of white oak, black oak, chestnut oak, northern red oak, scarlet oak, southern red oak, chinkapin oak, sugar maple, hickory, yellow poplar, beech, ash, and black walnut.

On the lower slope area, the trees are now approximately 12 feet tall and number 4000 per acre. On the mid-slope and ridges, the young trees are approximately 8 ft tall and number 3000 per acre. Benefits of this project include forest diversity, quality forest products, wildlife habitat improvement, and education for private landowners.

• Project Type: Forest Management for natural regeneration
• Project Initiation Date: Fall 2006
• Location: Tygarts State Forest
• Number of Trees: thousands
• Number of Acres: 245
• Tree Species: native hardwoods
• Project Partner: Kentucky Division of Forestry

NEWPORT, NC: Veneer Technologies of Newport, NC, announces that the judges for the 2008 Veneer Tech Craftsman’s ChallengeTM competition are Marc Adams, director of Marc Adams School of Woodworking; Asa Christiana, editor of Fine Woodworking magazine; and Richard Ungerbuehler, Sr., president of Federal Millwork Corporation and president of the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI).

Veneer Tech’s Craftsman’s Challenge competition aims to reward excellence in the use of natural veneer and wood products through cash awards and other recognition for student designers as well as the entire supply chain including craftsmen, distributors, and distributor sales representatives.

Marc Adams is the director of the largest hands-on school of woodworking in the country and is a newcomer to the Craftsman’s Challenge. “I am honored to have a part in this year’s competition,” said Adams. “Today’s woodworkers have access to materials, tools and resources that enable them to excel in our craft. As a part of the 2008 Craftsman’s Challenge, entrants will show talents in both skills and techniques that will surpass our fathers’ and inspire our children. I am looking forward to seeing what they can create.”

Asa Christiana is a returning judge from last year’s competition and is happy to be on board again. “This young contest has grown by miles each year, and today is by far the premier showcase for veneer work. I am flattered to be asked to return as a judge,” said Christiana. “Beyond the jaw-dropping marquetry and exotic veneers in the fine furniture, there is amazing work being recognized on the commercial side, from ornately paneled boardrooms to grand opera halls. Cabinetry and millwork categories include still other beautiful installations, like kitchens, home theaters, libraries, and more. The special category for student work is very appealing to us at Fine Woodworking, as we also are working hard to find and support the next generation of talented craftsmen.”

Richard Ungerbuehler, Sr., current president of AWI, is president of Federal Millwork Corporation, one of South Florida’s oldest businesses serving the architectural millwork and cabinetry needs of the local community and the world marketplace. “Wood shops and other similar opportunities for young people are rapidly disappearing. Consequently, today’s graduate is more concerned with the ‘green’ one receives each week and less about the task at hand,” said Ungerbuehler. “Veneer Tech’s Craftsman’s Challenge is attracting talent from a wide audience and is an exciting way to recognize superior workmanship in a day when most people could care less. It is my honor to be one of the judges for the 2008 competition and I am looking forward to the experience as the highlight of my calendar.”

Entry materials are available from Veneer Technologies sales representatives, distributors, and through www.veneertech.com. The competition is designed to be very easy to enter: Entry rules are simple and easy to understand, and help in entering is readily accessible by telephone (1-800-593-5601). Online entry is encouraged for submissions of digital photography and forms. Entries will be accepted through June 7, 2008. Competition categories include: Architectural Woodworking, Cabinetry, Furniture, Specialty Items, Store Fixtures and Student Designs. Any amount of natural veneer used from any source will qualify entries. Entrants each may submit up to a total of three entries.

A cash award of $5000 will be made to the creator of the grand prize-winning entry (plus a $1,000 early entry bonus for entries received on or before March 31, 2008). The distributor of the veneer for the grand prize-winning entry will receive $3000, and the corresponding distributor salesman will receive $2000. The top student entry receives a $1000 scholarship check. These cash prizes as well as other awards will be presented August 21, 2008, at the Omni Hotel, CNN Center, across from the Georgia World Congress Center where the IWF 2008 show will take place. Winners will also receive valuable publicity in Veneer Technologies’ ads and in public relations materials distributed to industry publications.

Veneer Technologies is located in Newport, NC, and specializes in natural face veneer, sheet veneer and edgebanding. The company employs approximately 120 people and is known for high technology veneer processing. Veneer Technologies is a long-time contributor to the Hardwood Forestry Fund. Veneer Technologies’ John Varner serves on the Hardwood Forestry Fund’s Board of Directors. Inquiries about the Craftsman’s Challenge can be made by contacting Veneer Technologies at www.veneertech.com or telephoning 1-800-593-5601.