AgEBB-MU CAFNR Extension
Green Horizons
Volume 21, Number 3
Fall 2017
Agroforestry
Missouri Managed Woods
By Steve Westin | Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri's forests and woodlands cover about one third (more than 15 million acres) of the state's landscape, with over 75% of that forested land in private, family ownership. Privately owned forests provide benefits to all Missourians in the form of water quality protection, areas for recreation, raw materials for the forest products industry, wildlife habitat, soil erosion control, and air pollution reduction. It is in all Missourians' best interest that our forests be as healthy and productive as possible.
In 1946, state legislators enacted the Missouri State Forestry Law with the purpose of improving Missouri's forests after the liquidation of the resource in the early 1900's. One component of the legislation was the Forest Crop Land (FCL) program. The FCL was voluntary and it encouraged landowners to manage their woodlands with the longer view in mind; producing a continuous crop of forest products, as well as the related benefits listed above by deferring property taxes, and providing access to professional advice.
In 2017, the reasons for good forest management are the same as they were back in the 1940's when the FCL was enacted. However, the general situation in Missouri's woods has changed as have our forest landowners and the world they live in.
In an effort to reach more private forest landowners and get more land under active, long-term, professionally directed management, the Missouri Department of Conservation's (MDC) Forestry Division has created a new program called Missouri Managed Woods (MMW), based on the original FCL program. Landowners who are actively managing their woods under an approved plan, such as members of the Missouri Tree Farm System, or those who are interested in developing and implementing a plan on their lands, can benefit from this program.
Program Requirements: Participating tracts must enroll a minimum of 20 contiguous acres of wooded land having a maximum market value of no more than $3,500 per acre. The landowner must agree to a 15-year enrollment commitment. Finally, enrolled lands cannot contain structures such as houses, barns, large sheds, or large bodies of water. Landowner Benefits & Services: Enrolled lands will receive priority assistance from a professional forester.
If one is not already in place, a forest management plan based on the landowner's goals for their land and the condition of the woods will be developed. MMW lands may also be eligible for an increased MDC cost share rate to assist with forest management practices.
Should a timber harvest be a viable option and desired by the landowner, assistance in the form of timber marking and sale administration will be provided to complete the sale in a sustainable way. If a trained logger is used and best management practices are installed, the landowner will then be eligible to receive an incentive payment equal to six percent of the stumpage value of the harvest. A timber basis evaluation will be prepared, if appropriate, to help with the income tax treatment of the proceeds from the timber sale.
As an additional benefit, landowners in MMW will see a reduction in their property taxes on enrolled woodlands. The amount of savings will vary across the state depending on local taxes and land values.
Landowner Obligations: In order to participate in the program landowners must sign their management plan and agree to implement it according to a schedule agreed upon jointly by the forester and the landowner, showing progress within five years. Additionally, property boundaries must be clearly marked and livestock must be fenced out of the woods.
If a timber sale occurs on lands while enrolled in the MMW program the landowner must pay a six percent yield tax on the stumpage value of the forest products sold.
Finally, the landowner will be encouraged to enroll in the Missouri Tree Farm program which will provide world-recognized certification of sustainable management for the property.
For more information and a Missouri Managed Woods application, call 877-564-7483, or visit: https://mdc.mo.gov/property/property-assistance/missouri-managed-woods