Farm forestry and firewood expo

NORTHERN United Forestry Group (NUFG) – a not-for-profit community group with a focus on growing trees for sawlogs and firewood – will host the South Eastern Australia 2011 Farm Forestry and Firewood Expo at the City of Greater Bendigo’s 242 hectare Huntly plantation, 15km north of Bendigo on 8 April.
Some trees (all hardwoods) within the Huntly plantation that need to be thinned will be available for demonstration purposes on the day. This provides an excellent drawcard for the event. By way of example, Ian Rankin, NUFG President, will demonstrate the cutting head attached to his excavator that removes all branches, tops the standing tree, cuts the tree off at the base and loads it into a trailer, all in one, swift, but safe, sequence.
“I am sure you can appreciate that this type of equipment is attracting plenty of interest from farmers. In addition wood fire retailers and researchers will answer questions about how to get the best heat from firewood,” said Mal Brown (NUFG). There will be displays by nurseries and tree plantation management suppliers, along with demonstrations of wood fires, mini gassifiers, portable sawmills, as well as guided forestry walks, and talks by researchers who will participate in a speaker’s program.
“The audience for this Expo is really very large. Nothing else of a similar nature is planned for 2011. Farmers interested in additional income from farm forestry, along with urban residents interested in the topics of revegetation, firewood, bioenergy and sustainability will be attracted to this event. Participants are expected to come from across Victoria and southern New South Wales. The Victorian Department of Primary Industries and the City of Greater Bendigo, Australian Forest Growers, North Central Catchment Management Authority and Trees Victoria are supporting this event.
“I am inviting you to consider exhibiting your products and/or services to a diverse audience on the day. Please let me know if you are interested in receiving more information from me about the EXPO, exhibitor sites (just $100 each) and/or sponsorship opportunities. Please note that a limited number of powered sites are available for the day.
More information is available from:
Mal Brown
Northern United Forestry Group
Secretariat for the South Eastern Australia Farm Forestry and Firewood Expo, 8 April 2011
2455 Calder Hwy Leichardt via Bridgewater VIC 3516
Ph (03) 5435 2588 Mobile: 0419 108 817