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Qualified Forest Program
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND AGRICULTURE The Qualified Forest Program provides a property tax exemption up to 18 mill of school operating tax to private landowners who actively manage their forest lands. Unlike the Commercial Forest Program, landowners are allowed buildings on enrolled acres and can maintain private access. To qualify, parcels must be at least 20 acres and 80% stocked with forest capable of producing wood products, parcels over 40 acres must be 50% stocked. The program caps at 640 acres. | ||
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Commercial Forest Program
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES The Commercial Forest program provides a significant property tax reduction to private landowners as an incentive to retain and manage their forest land for long-term timber production in support of the state's forest products industry. Landowners pay a specific tax (currently $1.30 per acre) in property taxes in exchange for managing their land as a productive commercial forest. More than 2.2 million acres of private forest land that are owned by 1,800 landowners are enrolled in the program. Commercial Forest lands are open to the public for foot access for hunting and fishing. Click on the link to the left for more information regarding the commercial forest program. |
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Environmental Quality Incentives Program
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. It supports production agriculture and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through EQIP, farmers, ranchers, private forest land owners and Federally-recognized American Indian tribes may receive financial and technical assistance to implement structural and land management conservation practices on eligible agricultural land. Click on the link to the left for more information regarding EQIP. |
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Forest Stewardship Program MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES The purpose of the Forest Stewardship Program is to encourage long-term stewardship of family forest land by providing professional planning and technical assistance to private landowners. Participation in the program is voluntary, and forest landowners can obtain information and cost-share assistance throughout the year. Since 1991, almost 5,000 landowners in Michigan have used their Forest Stewardship Plan to help them to protect, manage, and enjoy their forest. Click on the link to the left for more information regarding the Forest Stewardship Program. |
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American Tree Farm System AMERICAN FOREST FOUNDATION ATFS is the largest and oldest sustainable family woodland system in America, internationally recognized, meeting strict third-party certification standards. ATFS is a program of the American Forest Foundation. For more than 70 years, ATFS has enhanced the quality of America’s woodlands by giving private forest owners the tools they need to keep their forests healthy and productive. Participants in the American Tree Farm System are committed to “getting more good forestry on more acres, and keeping it there” by following sustainable forest management practices and techniques. Click on the link to the left for more information regarding the ATFS. |
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Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is an innovative, proactive, and voluntary program that helps farms and forests of all sizes and all commodities voluntarily prevent or minimize pollution risks. Click on the link to the left for more information regarding MAEAP. |
Gogebic Conservation District - 500 N. Moore Street - Bessemer, MI 49911
(906) 667-1100 x 632
(906) 667-1100 x 632