Increasing Income Through Forestry Education
Realizing a Sustainable Forest Economy
Among the "Great Transformation of Foundational Industries" strategies being promoted by Uljin County, North Gyeongsang Province (Governor Son Byungbok), the forestry sector is emerging as a new growth engine.
At the center of this initiative is the "Uljin Forestry Academy," which is being operated for the first time this year.
Going beyond simple technical training, Uljin County has launched a hands-on curriculum that encompasses the production, processing, and distribution of forest products. Through this, the county aims to enhance the competitiveness of local forestry professionals and actively foster a unique Uljin-style forest business ecosystem.
▲ Practice-Oriented "Income-Generating Forestry Education" Begins in Uljin
The Uljin Forestry Academy runs from September 12 to November 6, every Thursday for a total of seven weeks and 50 hours. The training takes place at the Eco-Friendly Agriculture Training Center in Wangpicheon Park, with 48 participants. The program is operated by the Korea Forest Academy Foundation, a forestry professional education institution designated by the Korea Forest Service.
The curriculum is structured around the following four pillars:
1. Forest Product Cultivation Techniques - Specialized cultivation methods for wild vegetables such as mountain garlic, jeonho greens, and byeongpungchwi, as well as tree shoots like angelica tree, kalopanax, and Japanese prickly ash.
2. Practical Forest Management - Hands-on training in pruning and trimming trees, grafting, and preparing forest management plans.
3. Field Visits - Experiential learning through visits to places such as the Forest Healing Center, Wild Ginseng and Wild Herb Promotion and Education Center, and the Baekdudaegan Arboretum.
4. Practical Business Training - Strengthening distribution and branding capabilities through start-up coaching, blog marketing, and customized packaging utilization.
This practice-oriented curriculum is not limited to short-term education but is designed to foster self-sustaining forestry enterprises.
▲ From Training to Start-Ups... Establishing the Foundation for Uljin-Style Forest Economy
This program does not end with short-term completion. Uljin County plans to systematically link support programs for graduates, including forestry business registration, participation in forest-related public projects, use of processing centers, and development of online sales channels, thereby strengthening the digital distribution infrastructure and supporting start-ups and income generation in stages.
In particular, the inclusion of blog marketing, packaging design workshops, and social media promotion is expected to enable a structural shift from "learning to earning." Uljin County anticipates that this training will lead to a tangible expansion of graduates' entrepreneurial capabilities and distribution networks.
▲ "Forestry with Jobs" - Uljin Leads the Way
In an era where carbon neutrality, local food, and wellness industries are on the rise, adding high value to forest resources and creating jobs are key challenges for local forestry. The Forestry Academy serves as both an educational platform to realize Uljin County's forestry transformation strategy and an incubator for the future of forestry.
The forests of Uljin are now becoming a new ecosystem that connects local residents to income and employment opportunities.
Governor Son Byungbok stated, "The Forestry Academy is a turning point that accelerates the creation of a Uljin-style forest business ecosystem. We will systematically promote the program so that the training does not end as a one-off event, but becomes a nationwide model that leads to real jobs and income."
Uljin County Office.
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