The Ozark Regional Timberfest

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The Ripley County Chamber of Commerce launched an
aggressive effort to promote and develop industry
in our community and surrounding areas.
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WHAT DO WE HAVE TO OFFER?Our Natural
ResourcesThis is Timber Country!!
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Timber South Central Missouris Past, Present
and Future

• The Timber Industry is the third largest industry
  in the State of Missouri, with the highest
  concentration of sawmills being located in Ripley
  County. In the past, the majority of families in
  Ripley and surrounding counties owned sawmills,
  utilizing the Current River and the Railway as
  modes of transportation to ship lumber all over
  the United States. Many local families still run
  those sawmills, and we wanted to recognize their
  contribution to the local economy and their
  impact on the region today.

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Partnerships and Planning

• We knew that to pull of a festival of this
  magnitude, strong partnerships would be required.
  A committee was formed, and from that, ideas were
  born and contacts were made. Within a few days,
  Missouri Forest Products Association, Missouri
  Farmers Union, US Forest Service, Missouri
  Department of Conservation and many other
  organizations and local sawmillers were on board.
  All recognized the importance of the timber
  industry in Southeast Missouri. In addition, we
  invited neighboring counties to participate.

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What Do We Want To Accomplish?

• Showcase our history . . .
• Educate . . .
• Entertain . . .

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The Ozark Regional TimberfestOctober 6 7, 2006

• In 2006, the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce
  brought approximately 5,000 visitors to their
  small, rural community in the Southeast Missouri.
  These visitors came here to enjoy The Ozark
  Regional Timberfest.

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Adult Education

• The Missouri Farmers Union and the Eastern
  Ozarks Forestry Council partnered with the U.S.
  Forest Service to present Timber A Perpetual
  Resource on the first day of Timberfest.

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History and Education . . .

• One of our first goals was to educate our
  children about the timber industry. 975 students
  from area schools attended, taking part in
  historical activities and exhibits by the US
  Forest Service and the Missouri Department of
  Conservation. Three Rivers Community College
  announced their new AAS Degree in Forestry
  Technology.

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Crosscutting at the US Forest Service Logging Camp

• Students were able to try their hand at using a
  crosscut saw at the US Forest Services authentic
  1920s Logging Camp. The Forest Service spent
  many months researching old time logging camps to
  ensure historical accuracy.

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Historical Exhibits
1920s Logging Camp
Old Maxey Sawmill
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Draft Horse Pull

• The Draft Horse Pull on Friday night was a huge
  success, drawing nearly 2,500 people for that
  event alone. Draft horses were an extremely part
  of logging in the early days.

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Entertainment . . .

• Those attending the festival got to enjoy live
  music, a Loggers Relay, an authentic portable
  sawmill, a draft horse pull, chainsaw raise, rail
  splitting and chain saw carving.

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Speed Cut and Crosscut Competitions

• The speed cut and crosscut competition was very
  popular on Saturday afternoon. Teams from
  several states came to participate.

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The Loggers Relay

• The Loggers Relay on Saturday night was a big
  event, pitting 5-6 man ( woman) teams against
  the clock in the chainsaw speedcut, 2 person
  logroll, wood split and 2 person crosscut.

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Missouri Forest Products Assoc.

• Missouri Forest Products Association held their
  state championship Game of Logging. The winner
  won the state competition and went on to compete
  in New York in the national championship.

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What does the future hold for the Timber Industry?

• The need for alternative fuel sources has brought
  about an effort to utilize timber by-products as
  a new fuel source - Cellulosic Ethanol. Given
  the high concentration of sawmills in Southeast
  Missouri, this could have a huge impact on our
  economy, as sawdust is a major component of
  Cellulosic Ethanol. House Bill 709 discusses
  cellulosic ethanol.

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WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO OFFER?