University of Kentucky College of Agriculture
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Center revitalizes UK College of Agriculture's presence in Eastern Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Ky., (Nov 19, 2009)

For decades the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture has offered Eastern Kentuckians vital support through Robinson Forest, Robinson Station and the Wood Utilization Center. Until now, all three units were operating independently of each other. Now, all three are combining under one umbrella and a new name to reflect their unity - the Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability.

"I am grateful to the faculty and staff leaders of Robinson Forest and Robinson Station for initiating this exciting new strategy," said Scott Smith, dean of the UK College of Agriculture. "I know it will advance the impact and the efficiency of these facilities that are so critical to our support for this region."

David Ditsch, formerly superintendent of Robinson Station, will lead the center as director, reporting to Nancy Cox, UK College of Agriculture associate dean for research and director of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station. Cox will administer the new center at the college level. Ditsch said he believes the center's consolidation will be beneficial on many levels.

"We believe this change will not only be a cost-effective measure for the college's efforts in Eastern Kentucky, but it also gives us a clearer focus and a more unified appearance," Ditsch said . "We'll continue to offer the applied research...
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Forestry webinar series starts in October
LEXINGTON, Ky., (Sep 16, 2009)

University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service will offer a forestry webinar series from Oct. 13 to Dec. 8. The series is designed for woodland owners, farmers and others interested in woodland, timber and wildlife topics.

This webinar series is not the first forestry program conducted over the Internet by UK Forestry extension specialists. A previous series this spring garnered great feedback from participants across the state; 91 percent of the attendees at that series gave the webinar series a "good" to "excellent" rating and 99 percent...
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Researchers delve into reason for red maple's proliferation
LEXINGTON, Ky., (Sep 11, 2009)

Most people will take great enjoyment from the sweep of scarlet from red maples across the Kentucky landscape this fall, but a University of Kentucky forestry researcher finds it a matter of some concern.

Anecdotal evidence indicated an increase in red maples throughout Northeastern forests, but there was no hard evidence to back that up until Songlin Fei, assistant professor in the UK Department of Forestry, decided to delve into the matter. In two separate studies in collaboration with Penn State's Kim C. Steiner, he documented first the proliferation of the...
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UK research highlighted at reforestation conference
PIKEVILLE, Ky., (Aug 12, 2009)

Conference participants listen to UK professor Chris Barton, center, discuss his research projects.The typical reclamation process for surface mine lands includes tightly compacting leftover rocks and debris known as spoil and turning once-forested land into grasslands. The loss of forests raises several environmental concerns...
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UK All Commodity Field Day returns to Princeton in July
PRINCETON, Ky., (Jun 15, 2009)

It's time for the biennial showcase in Princeton of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture's latest research and extension work - work that is not only conducted on its western Kentucky research station, but throughout the entire college. This year's event is 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT Thursday, July 23 at the UK Research and Education Center in Princeton...
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Woodland Owners Short Course tailored to families
LEXINGTON, Ky., (Apr 30, 2009)

The management of privately held woodlands is a family affair. The 2009 Woodland Owners Short Course reflects that view by offering, for the first time, beginners and advanced programs based on an individual's or family's experience and interest level. A youth program will run concurrently with the day-long adult programs. The course also has moved to Saturdays to accommodate people's busy schedules.

"Woodland owners have a number of options available to them, some of which include recreational use, wildlife management and generating income from...
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Woodlands financial advisors can help weather economic storm
LEXINGTON, Ky., (Mar 6, 2009)

Kentucky woodland owners are feeling the pinch from this tough economy just like many others, but owners who are actively involved in a sound woodland management plan are seeing continued growth rates in their investments in trees during these turbulent times.

Nature doesn't pay much attention to Wall Street, so trees continue to grow in diameter and height, no matter what the Dow Jones Industrial Average is. However, optimum growth rate often is the result of woodland owners working closely with their "woodlands financial advisor," a professional forester...
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Planting the right tree can prevent bad breaks
LEXINGTON, Ky., (Feb 27, 2009)

Ice and storm damageThousands of Kentuckians went without power for days and weeks because of this winter's ice and wind storms. Because of that, many might be reconsidering their decision to plant that oak or ash tree near power lines. According to a forestry professor in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, some forethought when choosing landscape trees can prevent a lot of problems in the future.

"There's...
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