MSU researcher awarded $800K grant to study wood supply
Michigan State University has received an $800,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to study wood supply chains and the effects of carbon offset programs on forest product industries.
Raju Pokharel, an assistant professor in MSU’s Department of Forestry, will lead the research, focusing on how carbon offset programs influence wood flow, forest investments, and material sourcing. The study will also examine the potential for “leakage,” where timber production shifts from one region to another in response to policy changes.
“Our team is going to evaluate what will happen to the wood supply and forest product industries as more forests enroll in these programs,” Pokharel said. “Will the price of wood go up or down? What would be the amount of leakage?”
The research will take place on a national scale, with participation from Colorado State University, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Idaho. The project is funded through 2029, and results will be shared through academic journals and presentations.
To learn more, visit agbioresearch.msu.edu.
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