Notes from meetings in Epes, Greensboro, and Newbern

Local Resources, Local Needs, and Aquestions of Scale: Linkages Between Housing,

Forestry, and Community Development in West Alabama

31 March 2004

Posted at http://www.ag.auburn.edu/~cbailey/aaes.htm

Project participants spent Wednesday, March 31^st together, touring the Federation of Southern Cooperatives (FSC) in Epes, the Hale Empowerment and Revitalization Organization (HERO) in Greensboro, and the Rural Studio in Newbern (AURS).

Our meetings started in Epes and began with brief introductions of those present:

Tommy Loggins, USFS, Forest Products Laboratory

Beau Brodbeck, AU, Graduate Student

Valentina Hartarska, AU, Agricultural Economics

Eva Bryant-Green, HERO, Interim Director

Reny Tuinstra, AU, Visting Scientist

Amadou Diop, FSC, Forestry Manager

Cindy Ragland, USFS, District Ranger

Pamela Dorr, RurStudio/HERO

Conner Bailey, AU, Rural Sociology

Mark Dubois, AU, Forestry

John Zippert, FSC (joined later), Director

Bruce Lindsey, AU, Rural Studio

Lukata Mujumbe (District Policy Director for Congressman Artur Davis), Bob Rummer (USFS), Andrew Freear (AURS), Gus Townes (AFC), and Susan LeVan (USFS) expressed interest in attending the meeting and were invited, but were unable to attend the workshop.

Eva Bryant-Green made the point that HERO was particularly interested in this project because it provided opportunity for enterprise development, employment generation, and income for both landowners and those who may work in harvesting and processing. This sentiment was seconded by Amadou Diop of the FSC in his comments. Eva was interested in how we might be able to generate periodic flow of income from a forest.

Amadou provided a brief history of the FSC. He identified help in marketing small tracts of timber and small diameter wood as being major concerns for limited resource forestland owners served by the FSC. Many owners of land need part-time jobs. FSC works with agro-forestry projects (e.g., goats with forestry) and non-timber forest products. An inventory of non-timber forest products is being conducted. Goat and non-timber programs represent important income earning opportunities.

Amadou identified heir land as a second major issue. Multiple owners with differing objectives impedes ability to effectively manage land. Related to this is the problem of absentee ownership. He reported that local landowners have problems with log theft (loggers harvesting timber without permission or payment) and also with some loggers offering to pay owners far less than the true value of their timber. FSC involved in educational programs for landowners to address these issues.

FSC also is interested in working with furniture makers and others users of wood products. Amadou indicated that there is a need to create a forest products enterprise “incubator” where entrepreneurs have access to space and other services to support their efforts.

Amadou led us on a walking tour featuring the efforts of one furniture maker, an organic garden, and goat/forestry production.

We left for Greensboro, where we had lunch and then gathered at HERO’s Family Resource Center. We broke into five small groups for tours and briefings of all the many programs operated by HERO, including the Day Care and Early Learning Centers, the Career Resource Center, the GED program, and the housing program.

Our final stop was at the Rural Studio in Newbern. After a brief stop at a project house under construction, we met in the kitchen at the Morrisette House for a final discussion of project objectives and directions. Among the points made:

Eva Green Bryant-Green suggested the need for a project Coordinator, a person who would keep the various pieces together and coordinate developing grants for future development of the project.
John Zippert of the FSC described various state and federal programs designed to improve housing conditions, either through rehabilitation or through new construction. USDA Rural Development has a Self-Help program involving 8-10 houses built as a group through sweat equity. A program through ADECA is available for housing rehabilitation in the form of a community block grant. This and other programs might be important sources of funding for construction using locally-sourced materials. John stated that the project needed to be tied into something real. He discussed the “self help” program as a possibility.
The idea of building a prototype house to fit into one or more of these projects was discussed. Bruce stated he was trying to put everything together that was being discussed and see how the RS could “make an impact”.
Various technical questions need to be addressed (e.g., structural characteristics); Tommy Loggins indicated that the USFS would be interested in assisting in this regard.
Tommy said that USFS is well aware of housing needs and discussed various sources of financial and material support. Grants through Forest Health Units might be used to purchase equipment for use in demonstration projects. Tommy also indicated that the USFS may have other mechanisms for supporting our efforts, and that he would report to Susan LeVan of USFS in Madison, Wisconsin in pursuit of these options. Tommy indicated that there was a wealth of information at the FPL in Madison on small-log utilization.
John Zippert indicated that the FSC has good working relations with the Alabama Forestry Commission and that they receive funding from other sources, including the Ford Foundation
Bruce Lindsey of the Rural Studio said that during Spring 2005 approx. 40 second year architecture students at AU would be working on projects that might involve wood in various forms, including roundwood, and that useful designs might be forthcoming from this effort.
Pam Dorr discussed the need for simpler efforts, including wheel chair ramps and building roofs over older trailers using pole barn construction techniques. There was some discussion of whether investment in mobile homes was worthwhile.
The Home Depot Foundation was mentioned as a potential source of funding, as was Gulf States Paper Corp.

Various action items were agreed to:

Tommy Loggins will report to Sue LeVan and will transmit general request for support. Such support may include funding and equipment to establish an initial demonstration project. We hope to hear word from Sue LeVan within a two week period regarding interest and opportunities for such support. Mark Dubois is to be the contact person.
Bruce Lindsey had developed a proposal submitted previously to the USFS. Tommy suggested that the original proposal be updated and might serve as a vehicle through which USFS support might be forthcoming. Involvement of HERO and the FSC in this proposal was encouraged.
Mark Dubois agreed to discuss with Dick Brinker (Dean of Forestry at AU) how best to approach Gulf States for support.
Pam Dorr likewise will approach Home Depot Foundation regarding their interest. Pam will let Mark Dubois know what she finds.
Cindy Ragland will check with the USFS Forest Health unit as well as the Alabama Forestry Commission regarding funding opportunities in support of our project, and will let Mark know what she finds.
Mark and Conner will report back to the group when new information is received (probably in the next two weeks).
We will plan to have a follow-up meeting some time within the next two months.
Pat Kennealy and Beau Brodbeck will begin their thesis research projects in early to mid- May. Mark Dubois brought up the idea of having a poster or powerpoint program developed to be used as a marketing tool. Bruce thought the idea for a poster to be appropriate, something always on the wall, always in front of people’s eyes. When we go seeking money, this is might be useful.

Finally, Bruce Lindsey invited all participants to the May 8^th Graduation Pig Roast and tour of the Rural Studio’s projects.

Meeting ended approximately 5:30 p.m.

Conner Bailey and Mark Dubois

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