I often wonder what motivates people to work on their land.  Sometimes a conversation with a friend or neighbor may spark an interest.  People can be inspired by a motivational speaker, a book with glossy images or filled with facts.  Recently I had a conversation with Oren and Andrea Danson and learned that they were inspired by a postcard from the Itasca Soil and Water Conservation District.  The little postcard asked if they were interested in improving wildlife habitat and managing their land.   The landowner survey card led to a conversation and a Woodland Stewardship Management Plan.  In a recent conversation Oren said “Our Woodland Stewardship Management Plan has definitely influenced our lives.”

Oren grew up on the family farm south of Grand Rapids that was purchased by his father in the 1920’s.  In 1974, Oren was able to purchased 40 acres from his Mom.  At that time, the Danson’s were absentee landowners and the small field was used for hay production for a number of years.  The land idled until the management plan was written in 1998.

Stewardship Activities

In 2001, the Dansons harvested over mature Aspen and Balsam Fir working with a consulting forester.  Reiger Logging harvested the timber that generated substantial income. In 2002, the land was enrolled in the Sustainable Forest Incentive Act (SFIA) which has helped ease the burden of property taxes.

Oren commented on the positive aspects of having a Woodland Stewardship Plan and the opportunity to network with natural resource professionals and that he has enjoyed learning from them.  He shared his experience of working with the District Conservationist with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) about planting a couple of rows of trees in the field.  He was then connected to Quintin Legler who helps folks with management activities.

Quintin and Oren spent time walking the land and talking about planting trees.  Oren shared his conversation with Quintin stating “Why should I plant trees?  I am sixty four years old!!  Quintin simply told me that it was a chance for me to leave my legacy and because taking care of your land is the right thing to do.  That little conversation hit the nail right on the head for me.”

In 2004 the entire field was machine planted with 14,000 Norway Pine.  The seedlings were monitored and many were lost during recent droughts and the field was replanted twice.  Oren eliminated competing grass, investing in a three wheeler to literally run up and down the rows applying a herbicide.

Heirlooms

The Danson’s enjoy working with their hands.  Andrea creates fanciful quilts and artful handwork, and Oren is a woodworker.   Oren has crafted many projects with wood harvested from his parents land that has been sawn, planed to create heirlooms for his children and grand children.  Oren said, “That way the kids can have a piece of the land even if they are living in distant places.”

Reprinted with permission from the January 2009 Itasca Woodlands newsletter. To learn more about the Itasca Woodlands Committee, which publishes the newsletter, call Sheila at (218) 327-7486.

Related posts:

1. Minnesota woodland stewardship plans
2. Sign up for Conservation Stewardship Program by Sept. 30
3. Free webinar August 19, 2009: Conservation Stewardship Program

Benefits of a written plan

Minnesota’s new lower property tax class requires a written plan. In order to qualify for Minnesota’s new lower woodland tax rate, you must have a current written forest management plan. Likewise for Minnesota’s Sustainable Forests Incentive Act, which provides annual per-acre payments.

Because both programs provide significant financial benefits, many woodland owners are expected to request a new Forest Stewardship plan in the coming months. The sooner you get on the list, the better.

Possible income tax benefit. As Mike Reichenbach writes in our ongoing Income Taxes and Family Forests series, a current written plan can be one important factor in your eligibility to write off woodland expenses on your federal income tax.

Free consultation with a local professional forester. Although written plans are not legally binding, they’re a great source of practical advice to help achieve your vision. A good plan will focus on your family’s specific vision and goals for your property. These goals may include wildlife habitat improvement, recreational uses, woodland improvement, income from timber harvesting, or other activities.

Some plans are written by Department of Natural Resources foresters, others by private consulting foresters. In either case, you get free advice from a professional based on your vision and desire for the future of the property.

Different ways to get a written plan

In order to qualify for most property tax, cost share, and incentive payment programs, plans generally must be written by a natural resource professional. There are at least two ways to obtain a plan:

1. Call your local DNR – Forestry Area Office and sign up for a free plan. If you have 20 or more wooded acres in Minnesota, you’re eligible for a free Forest Stewardship Plan (read more about Forest Stewardship Plans here.) DNR foresters prepare some plans themselves, but also administer contracts with approved local private-sector professionals to write plans. Either way, you’ll be contacted when your name gets to the top of the list.

2. Contact a local private-sector forester directly. Many private-sector foresters have active Forest Stewardship contracts and may be able to provide plans for free under that program. If not, paying for a plan is a small investment (typically a few hundred dollars, depending on property size) that will pay for itself very quickly through the programs described above.

Demand for written plans is expected to be very high over the next year or two. Working directly with a paid private-sector professional may be a way to get your plan completed quickly.

To find a professional, visit the Minnesota Association of Consulting Foresters or check our forestry professionals page.

To review: Written woodland management plans make you eligible for a number of financial benefits. These benefits include low property tax rates, incentive payments, and cost-sharing for woodland improvement practices.

You can get a written plan for free or for a small investment either from your local DNR-Forestry office or from a local forestry professional. Demand for plans is expected to be very high over the next year or two, so the sooner you get on the list, the sooner you’ll be eligible for the many benefits already described.

Related posts:

1. Comments sought on state invasive species management plan
2. Finding help: Minnesota woodland professionals
3. Five things every woodland owner needs to know

Every Minnesota woodland owner should know about these changes! An excerpt:

For the first time, MN has a law that provides the opportunity for woodland owners who are managing their property under a forest stewardship plan to receive a reduction in their property taxes payable in 2009 and thereafter.

Bruce and the Minnesota Forestry Association deserve great credit for their work to advance this issue.

Click here to read Bruce’s summary.
-eli

Related posts:

1. Itasca County woodland property tax postcard
2. Property tax relief for Minnesota forest landowners
3. Five things every woodland owner needs to know