MISSISSIPPI STATE – Logging professionals throughout Mississippi have opportunities to take required core classes or earn continuing education credits and maintain their expertise.

To earn “trained” status, loggers must complete core classes in four educational areas. These classes cover the sustainable forestry initiative, logging and transportation safety, best management practices for water quality, and business management.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service is conducting classes and programs throughout the state and is offering a series of programs via interactive video at local county Extension offices. Classes are scheduled for April and May, and fees are charged.

“Continuing education opportunities are offered to loggers and other forestry professionals to help them meet the challenges of a rapidly changing industry,” said John Auel, Extension logger education coordinator. “Loggers must complete 12 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain their trained status.”

Upcoming credit opportunities include these programs:

* Purvis, April 18, 8 a.m.-noon, MSU Extension county office. Program will focus on the state of the industry. 4 hours, Category I.

* Summit, April 25, 8 a.m.-noon, Southwest Mississippi Community College’s Horace C. Holmes Student Union. Program will focus on insurance needs for loggers. 4 hours, Category I.

* County Extension offices, May 8, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Core class for logger education program will be offered via interactive video program at participating county Extension offices.

* Verona, May 16, 8 a.m.- noon, Northeast Mississippi Research and Extension Center. This program will focus on equipment maintenance and Mississippi Department of Transportation trucking regulations. 4 hours, Category I.

* Grenada, May 23, 8 a.m.-noon, location to be announced. Program will focus on using global positioning systems on logging equipment to increase efficiency. 4 hours, Category I.

Loggers must earn six hours of continuing education credits in Category I activities and six more in either Category I or II. Category I includes formal educational opportunities directly related to logging and forest operations, forestry, business and safety. Each contact hour of course work earns one hour of continuing education credit.

Category II credits are awarded for participating in professional organizations, self-improvement and community awareness. One credit is earned for every two hours of participation.

For more information about continuing education for logging professionals, cost of programs and registration, contact the local county Extension Office or Auel at (662) 325-7948.