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U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will grant $20.2 million to help 34 small businesses move forward with innovative research and development projects to benefit food security, natural resources conservation and other agricultural issues. These competitive grants are made through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, which is coordinated by the Small Business Administration and administered by 11 federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
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FPS
Several recent collapses of decks and balconies have illustrated the need for improved design and construction practices. Concerns over improper construction details which can create moisture-trapping joints has been raised as one of the factors in the collapse of several decks last summer in Berkeley, California. The Wood Design Focus editorial board believes that the issues of deck safety and deck construction are essential for protecting the safety of homeowners. This is the first of two issues devoted to the topic of deck construction.
The second issue is focused on some of the technical challenges of complying with current deck regulations through the "2015 International Residential Code and DCA 6 — Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide." The Wood Design Focus editorial board believes that the issues of deck safety and deck construction are essential for protecting the safety of homeowners. This is the second issue devoted to the topic of deck construction, and we hope to bring you a third issue focused on exterior moisture detailing, which is a misunderstood and often overlooked area of the building.
To subscribe to Wood Design Focus, visit here.
FPS
The Forest Products Society has announced the creation of a Southeast Asian membership section of the organization.
The ASEAN Section of the Forest Products Society will support the forest products industry by providing a forum for networking and exchange of scientific and technical information about the sustainable use of wood and other renewable cellulosic materials.
The creation of the new section came in response to the 1.8 million people employed by the wood industry in Southeast Asia. The region generates close to $35 billion in export earnings annually, marking a significant global socioeconomic impact. The Forest Product Society is the largest individual membership organization in the world for the solid wood products industry.
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FPS
Make plans now to attend Introduction to Wood Science & Forest Products, Feb. 28 through March 2 at Mississippi State University's Department of Sustainable Bioproducts in Starkville, Mississippi. This three-day course, sponsored by the Forest Products Society, will empower attendees with the basics of wood and wood based products.
Additional topics include:
- An introduction to how trees are grown, harvested and processed (from the forest to usage)
- Wood anatomy and how changes in the forest lead to changes in product performance
- Current issues in the forest products industry (green building and product testing)
Click here view full course program.
This course is for suppliers, consultants, claims agents and anyone who needs to understand trees, harvesting, wood anatomy and how wood is processed into today's products.
Register by Friday, Jan. 30 to receive early-bird pricing. For more information regarding the course, including registration, accommodation and program information, visit here.
FPS
Tuesday, Nov. 15 is the deadline to submit abstracts for the 2017 Advancements in Fiber-Polymer Composites Symposium. The event, hosted by the USDA Forest Products Laboratory and Forest Products Society, will take place May 16-18, 2017, in Madison, Wisconsin.
The Symposium provides a forum for experts from scientific, technical and industrial communication to exchange and disseminate information on the latest advances and future opportunities for fiber-polymer composites.
Presentations and posters on the following topics are welcome:
- Advanced reinforcements in fiber-polymer composites
- Biopolymer matrices
- Processing and drying of nanocellulose
- Novel additives and processing techniques
- Modification of natural fiber and nanocellulose for enhanced performance
- Recycling
- Future markets/applications
For more information on the Symposium, including submission information, visit here.
Woodworking Network
Jenny Chao, a senior research scientist for insurer FM Global, explained the background that lead to her work studying combustible dust explosions. Chao tests wood dust, grain, flour, cornstarch and other dust-laden materials at FM Global's research lab in West Gloucester, Rhode Island. The company periodically runs loss prevention webinars related to combustible dust.
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WVLT-TV
Officials with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry, believe arson may be to blame for several wildfires currently burning around East Tennessee. The Forestry Division responded to 19 more fires on Saturday.
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Mongabay
Illegal logging in Tanzania, which has the highest deforestation rate in East Africa and the fifth highest deforestation rate in the world, is rampant. Tanzania's consumption of wood exceeds its supply, creating an annual 19.5 million cubic meters of "wood deficit." umaini Matinda sacrifices his personal time, money and energy to patrol the forests in northern Tanzania for illegal loggers and poachers. Those captured and driven away from the forests by Matinda on his patrols are rarely punished by officials.
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Woodworking Network
The Hoopa Valley Tribe has partnered with PJ Woodlands LLC, the owner of Altree, a wood-plastic composite, to build the first Altree production facility. The partnership will create jobs for many of the tribe's 32,000 members.
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