This conference, held in April 2017, was specifically for the industries dependent upon white oak including forest industries, industries using white oak casks, and organizations and agencies associated with these industries.  

Conference Focus - April 2017

Assessing White Oak Supply

• Central Hardwoods - Bill Luppold, US Forest Service  - Northern Region FIA
• Southern Region - Tom Brandeis, US Forest Service – Southern Region FIA

Moving Forward – Addressing Short and Long-Term Supply Issues

• Developing the White Oak Partnership
• Establishing a National White Oak Initiative

This conference will not only be devoted to providing information to white oak dependent industries but will lead to the establishment of a White Oak Partnership that will be designed to help ensure:

• Proper monitoring of white oak growth and drain
• Resources focused on addressing white oak threats
• Economic modelling associated with determining white availability
• Elected officials and governmental organizations understand the importance of this resource
• Development of a National White Oak Initiative to help protect and improve white oak sustainability

This conference was being held in conjunction with the Kentucky Forest Industries Association Meeting.