Forest Landowner Conference

2020 Forest Landowner Conference

The 2020 Forest Landowner Conference will be held as a virtual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference’s focus is on technical assistance from state and federal agencies, forestry and agricultural taxation, and financial opportunities for forest landowners. The conference will feature three 90-minute sessions as follows:

Financial assistance. 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET October 27. Landowners will receive information on state and federal services and programs available to forestland owners and farmers in the form of cost-share programs and technical assistance.
Taxation. 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. October 28. Landowners will receive information about Present Use Valuation and other programs with tax implications, as well as the role that Forest Management Plans play with regard to eligibility for these programs.
Economic Opportunities. 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. October 28. Landowners will receive information about solar energy programs, recreational leasing and other ways to derive income from their property.

The conference’s keynote speaker is Curtis Wynn, president and chief executive officer of Roanoke Electric Cooperative. Roanoke Electric is one of the sponsors of the Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Project, which is organizing this conference in partnership with the Durham-based Black Family Land Trust. The conference is sponsored through a grant from the N.C. Forest Service Stewardship Program.

Register Here for the 2020 Conference

https://ncsu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ezZqcIB5SvS7Jfp1n5obwA

See the Agenda for the 2020 Forest Landowner Conference

2020 Forest Landowner Conference program

Key Takeaways from the 2019 Conference

More than 150 people participated in the Forest Landowner Conference held in July 2019 at Halifax Community College. Key takeaways included:

Make a family tree to provide clarity on potential heirs to your property
Make a will to stipulate how your property is to be distributed after your death
Visit your local office of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to get acquainted and discuss your vision for your land
Contact your local county ranger or forester to maximize the benefits and sustainability of your land by developing a forest management plan
Become involved in your community by attending forestry and land-related meetings and voicing your views, needs and value to state and federal lawmakers
The use of a consulting forestry professional often can be justified by the increase in the value, potential and productivity of one’s forestland
In many counties, the property tax savings from enrolling in North Carolina’s Present-Use Valuation program are substantial.
Certification of your forestland can increase its value in forest product markets

Ebonie Alexander, executive director of the Black Family Land Trust, discusses estate planning

Julius George, program specialist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

rangers presenting in front of the audience — Attendees learn about state and federal agency assistance from NC Forest Service Ranger Jim Short and Forester Jonathon Pearson, left, and Julius George, program specialist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Landowner Wanda Campbell Clay describes the sharing of land retention lessons through outreach to churches.

You can access the conference presentations at the links below: