McFarland High School students are learning firsthand how logs become lumber through an innovative partnership with the Village of McFarland. The school’s Technology and Engineering program has taken a unique approach by milling its own lumber, giving students real-world experience while saving costs on materials.
“The main reason was the rising cost of lumber each year,” said Steve Pennekamp, Technology and Engineering Teacher at McFarland High School. “But more importantly, we wanted to provide students with the opportunity to see the full process, from logs to finished lumber.”
The partnership with the Village of McFarland has been crucial in supplying logs for the program. “When we first started, a village member donated trees,” Pennekamp explained. “Now, the village provides logs from local projects, whether from a disc golf course or other areas.”
Most of the logs the school receives are white oak, with some cherry as well as hickory. The trees, often 20 to 28 inches in diameter, produce high-quality boards for student projects. “Milling our own lumber allows us to get exactly what we need for our projects,” Pennekamp said. “We can produce different thicknesses for dining tables, end tables, as well as other pieces.”
Students play a hands-on role throughout the entire process. “Once the logs are delivered, we stack them and prepare for milling,” Pennekamp explained. “A sawmill operator comes in, and that’s when the students get involved. They learn how to stack and sticker the wood properly for air movement.”
After air drying, the wood goes into the kiln to reduce moisture content. “Initially, logs have about 30% moisture,” Pennekamp noted. “Our goal is to bring it down to six to eight percent for indoor use.”
The program also emphasizes sustainability. “Nothing goes to waste,” Pennekamp said. “A local resident with a wood boiler uses the scraps to heat his home as well as other buildings. Even fine sawdust is often repurposed.”
Students develop valuable skills through the process. “It’s like getting reps in athletics or music,” Pennekamp said. “The more they see the process and also hear the jargon, the more they learn. Freshmen observe juniors and seniors running the operation, and a few years later, they take on leadership roles themselves.”
The hands-on experience extends to classroom projects. “Our students start with small projects like cutting boards and nested tables,” Pennekamp said. “As they progress, they build cabinets, iPad stands, and even large furniture pieces like dressers and beds.”
The program also has financial benefits. “We produce about 3,000 board feet of material each year,” Pennekamp said. “If we bought that, it could cost between $5,000 and $7,000, depending on the thickness.”
Students even have the opportunity to sell their work. “They design and build their projects, then sell them through our website,” Pennekamp said. “It’s an amazing learning experience that blends craftsmanship, business, and sustainability.”
Leave a Reply