Ways for farmers to boost their livelihood by supplying firewood are to be explored during a dynamic free event in the Cairngorms National Park.
Making the Most of Farm Woodlands in Strathdon on Tuesday 9 March will help farmers and land managers become more aware of the exciting opportunities in this growing market.
“Woods and forests can provide a great opportunity for farmers to diversify and strengthen their business,” explained organiser Gordon McConachie of the Cairngorms National Park Authority.
“As well as the land itself, sheds and existing machinery can prove invaluable in the production and seasoning of wood fuel.”
The potential to create thriving farm-based firewood businesses will be explored during the day of talks and demonstrations at Glenbuchat Farms.
Among the speakers will be Forestry Commission Scotland biomass officer Ian Cowe. He will outline some of the main ways in which the potential of farm woodlands can be maximised, and advise on funding streams available. There will be demonstrations of a range of machinery for processing firewood, including freestanding log splitters, kindling machines and tractor mounted processors. A range of log boilers and stoves and information will also be onsite.
The day is part of a series of events being run in the Park as part of the Clim-ATIC project which aims to help rural communities adapt to the consequences of climate change. Project manager Clive Bowman said: “Using wood for fuel is a key way in which rural communities can become stronger and more independent in the face of rising fuel costs and increasingly stringent targets on greenhouse gas emissions.”
A wealth of information on using wood as fuel is available on a new website www.lowcarboncairngorms.org and bookings for this, and a range of other events being held throughout the year can be made through the site.
Places are free of charge and the event, which is being held by kind permission of David Sole at Glenbuchat, will begin with tea and coffee at 10:30am ending at approximately 3:30pm.
To book, go to www.lowcarboncairngorms.org or contact Andy Rockall or Sam Masson, tel 01479 870535/537 or e-mail Andy Rockall or Sam Masson.