Where some people see only trees, Dave Buck sees opportunity.
Buck works in The Pas, Man., as manager of the Northern Forest Diversification Centre. He is leading an effort in northern Manitoba to develop forestry products that go beyond timber, pulpwood and firewood.
The hope is that the wide range of ointments, teas, ornaments and other products being developed will alleviate poverty in the north, where communities are struggling with unemployment rates as high as 90 percent.
“We’re dealing with people that have very limited opportunities,” Buck said during a presentation at the Manitoba Direct Farm Marketing Conference in Brandon last week.
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“I think governments are scratching their heads trying to figure out how to make a difference.”
Buck pointed out that the opportunity to add value from the forest can come from unexpected places. For example, black poplar buds can be picked and refined into an ingredient for a healing skin cream. Driftwood from the shores of northern lakes becomes candlestick holders.
More than 100 different products have been developed and marketed with the support of the Northern Forest Diversification Centre. Buck said it is handling products from 350 people in 25 different communities in northern Manitoba.
While the effort encourages economic development, there also is an emphasis on sustainable management of the resources, he said.
Buck’s presentation at Brandon drew only a small crowd, perhaps because northern forest diversification was not uppermost in the minds of people looking for ways to add value to farm produce.
However, his presentation did hold advice relevant to people in both southern and northern communities wanting to develop and market rural products.
He emphasized the need for networking, which means getting to know other people with products, services or ideas that could be beneficial to one’s own enterprise.
“There’s a lot of networking involved in developing this industry,” he said. “It’s the same down south. You never know where the next opportunity is going to come from.”
And he encouraged people to realize that success often comes from the ability to persevere following moments of failure.
