1. My Ancestral Home Finland (Suomi)By
Doug Piirto
January 30, 2007 (Updated February 10, 2015)

2. Objectives Let’s explore Finland Seinajoki University
Geographic information
Climate
Demographics
Religion
Language
Finnish Culture
History
Seinajoki University
My role
MOU
Forest Management
Emerging Trends in Bioenergy
Ancestral Heritage
Conclusion

3. Geographic Information
Between 60th and 70th degrees of latitude
Easternmost of Nordic countries
7th biggest country in Europe
Covering approximately 130,500 sq. mi.
Water—10% (188,000 lakes)
Forest—69%
Cultivated—8%
Other—13%
721 miles long and 336 miles wide

4. Climate Adjacent to Atlantic Ocean Gulf Stream Temperate climate
Summers warm, long days
Winters are cold with snow in many areas

5. Demographics
5.2 million people
40 people per sq. mi.

6. Religion 85%--Lutherans 1%--Orthodox 1%--other
13%--no religious denomination

7. Churches

8. Language (i.e., mother tongue)
Finnish--93%
Swedish--6%
Other—2%
English is widely spoken

9. Finnish Culture Legendary Books Kalevala The Seven Brothers
The Egyptian

10. Recent History Independent nation December 17, 1917
Member of European Union since 1995
Major Conflicts
Winter War
Red/White War
War with Germany
Club War
Times are changing…Yet there remains a concern of unjust influence from neighboring countries given their history

11. Seinajoki University Founded in 1992
Polytechnic focused on working life and regionalism
In Etela Pohjanmaa—South Ostrobothnia
A region of 200,000 inhabitants
Approximately 4000 enrolled students
Personnel totals 300 people

12. Seinajoki Programs In Seinajoki Regional Schools
School of Business
School of Engineering
School of Information and Communication Technology
School of Social Work
School of Health Care and Social Work
Regional Schools
Finnish School of SME Business Administration--Kauhava
School of Agriculture and Forestry—Ilmajoki
Tuomarniemi School of Forestry--Ahtari
School of Culture and Design--Jurva
School of Food Management—Kauhajoki
22 degree programs, 3 graduate programs

13. Seinajoki University-Ilmajoki School of Agriculture

14. Seinajoki University Tuomarniemi School of Forestry

15. Undergraduate and Graduate Instruction

16. My Boss Dr. Varmola, President Dr. Antti Pasila, Dean Really cool…
They have my utmost respect and admiration

17. Major Tree Species--Birch, Scotch Pine and Spruce

18. Silvicultural Systems

19. Cut-to-Length Harvesting Systems Sawlogs, Pulpwood, Fuelwood)

20. Bioenergy-Fuelwood

21. Bioenergy--Fuelwood

22. Bioenergy--Fuelwood

23. Other Forms of Bioenergy

24. Bioenergy-Ethanol

25. Family Tree

26. My Heritage-14th Generation Descendant of Jaakko Ilkka

27. An Experience of a Lifetime

28. Many Sites to See

29. The Piirto Farm in Michigan

30. Conclusion Take time to enjoy our wonderful world!
Hyvaa Paivaa—Good Day! Kittos—Thank You!