of research to farmers and other rural people. For many 
years, however, efforts devoted to southern forestry were 
very limited. 
In 1924, the Clarke-McNary Act authored Federal funding 
on a matching basis with States to aid farmers by provid- 
ing information on management and utilization of forest 
resources. The act stimulated the appointment of the first 
full-time professional extension foresters in most of the land- 
grant universities of the Southern States. Although they were 
few in number, they had an impact, especially in fire pre- 
vention programs. In 1937, the Norris-Doxey Farm Forestry 
Act further strengthened extension work in forestry to be 
carried out through various educational programs such as 
demonstrations and publications. 
The Norris—Doxey Act also made provision for a program 
of technical assistance to individual owners of farm forests. 
The Soil Conservation Service initially conducted this 
program, but in 1943 it was transferred to the Forest Ser- 
vice, cooperating State forestry agencies, and State exten- 
sion services. In some Southern States, the State extension 
services were responsible for farm forestry education and 
such technical assistance until the Cooperative Forest Man- 
agement Act of 1950 expanded the technical service role of 
the State forestry agencies. 
Amendments to the Clarke-McNary Act and the Research 
and Marketing Act of 1954 provided for additional exten- 
sion work with processors of forest products. Finally in 
1978, the Renewable Resources Extension Act gave a 
specific charter for educational programs in forest and range- 
lands management for multiple purposes, utilization of for- 
est products, and urban forestry. Increased Federal funding 
thereafter has been more than matched by State and local 
contributors. 
For many years, most State extension services had only one 
to two forestry specialists, although the numbers increased 
over time. By 1985, there were 84 specialists in forestry 
and forest products conducting extension work in the South; 
7 of the 12 Southern States had 5 or more of these special- 
ists. 
Extension foresters have generally operated on a State or 
multicounty basis through such means as field demonstra- 
tions of forestry practices, tours, conferences, newsletters, 
radio and television talks, and publications. Recently, in- 
vestment analysis also has been provided in at least eight 
Southern States to aid landowners in making decisions on 
reforestation, management, and timber harvesting. Work with 
4-H Clubs and more recently with urban owners of forest 
land and county landowner organizations has made up part 
of the forestry extension program. Forest products exten- 
sion specialists have also worked directly with client firms 
and with groups of wood procurement foresters, private log- 
ging contractors, and lumber kiln drying operators to pro- 
vide information on new technology. 
Continuing Education Programs 
Continuing education for foresters and related specialists 
through short courses, conferences, workshops, and sympo- 
sia has constituted a significant part of forestry extension 
work in the South. These activities have included symposia 
on fusiform rust, the managed slash pine ecosystem, and 
bottomland hardwood silviculture, among other topics. Short 
courses have included a wide variety of topics such as ae- 
rial photogrammetry, timber inventories, use of herbicides, 
pulpwood harvesting, wood drying and finishing, and 
taxation. 
Continuing education has been an important 
means of improving timber management by 
increasing the effectiveness of public 
foresters, consulting foresters, forestry 
contractors, loggers, and others working with 
private timberland owners. This education 
through short courses, conferences, 
workshops, and symposia has been a 
significant part of forestry extension work in 
the South. 
