By July, more than 2,000 state loggers are expected to participate in a specialized training program developed by the Mississippi Loggers Association and organized by Mississippi State University

They are among more than 13,000 individuals who have completed courses since the Legislature established an enhanced logging education extension program in 1995.

Instructors from forest industries and MSU's Extension Service and Forest and Wildlife Research Center teach courses developed by the Mississippi Logger Education Council. In addition to loggers, the council includes industry and MSU personnel, along with representatives of Mississippi Forestry Association.

"One of the strengths of the program is that loggers are instrumental in planning and developing the curriculum," said program coordinator Laura Grace, an MSU associate professor of forestry. "Their involvement insures that the courses address the challenges facing the logging profession."

The curriculum includes classes in the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Best Management Practices and water quality, business management, and logging and transportation safety. When participants complete three of the four classes they are designated as a "trained logger".

Grace said this designation is important to loggers supplying wood to companies that are members of the American Forest and Paper Association (AFPA). Her opinion is seconded by Bill Stuart, a Forest and Wildlife Research Center researcher who teaches in the program.

Loggers are the middle link in the chain between the landowner and the mill," Stuart said. "Many AFPA member companies require that the loggers with whom they do business have the 'trained' status."

That trend makes the continuing education program important for Mississippi's 2,200 logging firms, which annually have a $1.45 billion impact on the state's economy, he added.

Harvey Beach, who owns and operates a Natchez logging company, is among those whose business and employees both benefit from the program.

"Because my employees deal with situations occurring in the field daily, these classes have been beneficial in helping them understand the big picture," Beach said. "The classes teach the loggers why they need to follow certain practices in order to sustain our natural resources."