Event :
Ignite: Firewood Production and Supply

Event Details

This course is a must for all firewood producers.  It covers firewood as a renewable fuel, sources of timber for firewood, equipment to handle, produce and deliver firewood, markets for firewood and the economics of firewood supply and quality assurance.  It provides participants with a background to firewood production and supply drawing on real market economics and covers the technical aspects of producing and delivering firewood as well as quality control.

Cost:  £60+VAT (funded rate), £175+VAT (unfunded)

Prices include all course materials, handbooks, refreshments, lunch, post course mentoring (e-mail/telephone), Lantra registration and certification fees.
Funding may be available subject to certain eligibility criteria.

For further information or to book onto this course, please contact Erica Spencer on 01765 609355 or email erica.spencer@ruraldevelopment.org.uk

An outline of the course content:

Firewood Production, Markets and Supply

The aim of this Ignite course is to provide producers of firewood with the knowledge and skills to produce sustainable and viable firewood for the long term future, focusing on an added value product that meets the modern consumer’s needs.

Course Content
Firewood as a renewable fuel
    The carbon balance of firewood
    Drivers for an increase in demand for renewable fuels
Sources of timber for firewood
    Woodlands
    Tree surgery
    Reclaimed wood
Turning timber into firewood
    Seasoning
    Equipment
    Matching different raw material to equipment
Handling and delivering firewood
    Depot layout and design
    Handling equipment
    Delivery methods
    Reducing handling
Introduction to markets for firewood
    Domestic / commercial
    Rural / Urban
Economics of firewood supply
    Scale
    Costs / income
    Market prices
    Streamlining techniques to lower overheads

General Information
Throughout the course participants are encouraged to contribute their own experience either of woodfuel or of other aspects of renewables to the group. There is a lively, good humoured atmosphere at courses, where participants can discuss issues of particular relevance or interest to themselves and the group within the framework of the course.
Lunch and all refreshments will be provided and please bring a waterproof and boots as we will be leaving the confines of the classroom!

For content or technical enquiries please contact Will Richardson on 01765 609355 or will.richardson@ruraldevelopment.org.uk