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Post by tandem160 on Sept 11, 2011 20:50:02 GMT -5
I'm hoping some of those who read this have experiance with this program? What's the cons of this program? I get allowing the g-men access to your property and them telling you what you can and cannot do could be seen as a negative but, other than those persieved cons...what else is there? As always any opinions would be helpful. As a baseline I have 47 acres, 20 are leased to farmer, 7 acres trees and I just completed my WHIP project where I planted 6 acres into native WSG's. I now have 13 continous acres that I believe that would qualify for this program. Thanks again.
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Post by featherduster on Sept 12, 2011 6:06:41 GMT -5
When I enrolled (10 years ago) it required 15 acres min., you will need to have that parcel of land surveyed and the cost for doing that is out of your pocket.
The upside is you only pay about $3.00 a year in taxes for that parcel.
Every year you will get a survey to fill out and mail in and that's all that is expected of you.
In my opinion it is a great program for someone who wants to leave something behind when they die.
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Post by hornharvester on Sept 12, 2011 8:35:44 GMT -5
If you put it into classified wildlife area the taxes are $1 an acre with no restrictions on what you can do with it except build. With the rent price ag land is getting an acre i would put all but the 20 you are farming into classified wildlife area. h.h.
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Post by featherduster on Sept 12, 2011 9:19:09 GMT -5
I agree with HH, also you might want to look into the WRP and CRP programs and see if they might be a better option, in those programs you are paid by the gov.
Either way you go the land is yours with no public intrusion, it's a win win in my book.
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Post by tandem160 on Sept 15, 2011 13:18:02 GMT -5
All good stuff, I got a call in to the District Biologist and he hasn't returned my call yet. The survey cost was something I did not know about, I'm figuring that might be costly. My wife said I've mentioned this before and was talked out of it, so I'm more than likely wasting time. Any way thanks for the info.
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Post by dadfsr on Sept 15, 2011 15:00:08 GMT -5
When I enrolled (10 years ago) it required 15 acres min., you will need to have that parcel of land surveyed and the cost for doing that is out of your pocket. The upside is you only pay about $3.00 a year in taxes for that parcel. Every year you will get a survey to fill out and mail in and that's all that is expected of you. In my opinion it is a great program for someone who wants to leave something behind when they die. What about if the area you want to enroll is already a separate area and identified as a separate parcel on the tax rolls? Does it still have to be surveyed? Also would getting it classified as a wildlife or classified forest give one any protection from land development adjacent to it? Probably more than what someone on here can answer though.... |
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Post by throbak on Sept 15, 2011 16:35:33 GMT -5
If it is seperate it still has to be surveyd, Most do it from maps and dont set foot on the property, no protection from adjacent propertys plans for their holdings they have... the survey is done to get the acreage and have a map for the property to be enrolled. the site visits are to ensure that you are living up to your agreement MY 20 years of visits have been good with no problems also enjoyable, for a chance to brag on what I have DONE
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Post by danf on Sept 15, 2011 20:43:52 GMT -5
I see where Dad is headed with this.... What about if the property is owned by a trust, rather than by a few named individuals?
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Post by featherduster on Sept 17, 2011 9:52:29 GMT -5
I had to survey off the parcel of land for my homestead which our county requires a min of 2 acres.
I cannot answer questions regarding trusts or multiple ownerships.
You can at anytime remove it from the program but you must pay back taxes and other costs.
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Post by tomthreetoes on Sept 17, 2011 18:30:46 GMT -5
You can not use the property for any ag use other than timber. You cannot build on it or use it as pasture. I did have to perform some timber stand improvement (tsi) on my place. I applied for an EQIP grant from the feds that paid for that. You may have food plots if the size is not too large. In my case any inconveniences of the program is better than the outragious property taxes. Contact your district forester he or she can answer your questions.
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Post by indianaforester on Sept 18, 2011 16:21:00 GMT -5
In the Classified program your land is assessed at $1.00/acre and you are taxed on that. The tax rate against that dollar varies form county to county. Each tract has to have a survey, the survey can be done from the surveyors office so look for the least expensive. The documents have to be recorded at the county courthouse, another cost. But if you are holding onto the property for many years it is well worth the time and expense. Multiple owners on a tract is fine, I once had a Classified Forest that was owned by 16 heirs. Back to the original question of any downside to the program, no grazing and no usable building on the land, someone from DNR will visit every 5 years, and an annual report has to be returned each year. If you take the land out of the program back taxes will have to be repaid for the last several years and some interest. It is not a short term program but is is well worth it if you are holding onto the property for many years.
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Post by steiny on Sept 18, 2011 19:20:10 GMT -5
I have a few acres in classified forest and don't really see any down side to it.
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Post by tandem160 on Sept 19, 2011 21:23:40 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. Another question I have is, if I sell the land then what? Will the program transfer to the new owner or will I be responsible for back taxes? I have an appointment in early October with the District forester and I'm sure he'll answer any questions I may have but, without a doubt I'll forget to ask it then.
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Post by throbak on Sept 20, 2011 6:33:49 GMT -5
It is transfered to the new owner and then its his baby, been there done that he took some out it was his responsibility not my problem
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Post by tandem160 on Mar 4, 2012 16:12:24 GMT -5
Well I got my property in the Classified forest program I'm going down soon to place the signs and check for storm damage. A couple of years ago I lost my porch roof. Hopefully, all while be good. Something else I need to do is put my carb back on the tractor, check the lawn mower, place a cam up someplace, fire up the weed eater, trim the dam while the water is low,fix my fence, paint the fence, put the pump back on the sprayer... then raid the fridge for PBR!! or two!!
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Post by tandem160 on May 18, 2012 16:50:05 GMT -5
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Post by throbak on May 18, 2012 18:48:29 GMT -5
Looks good to me Whos,s Your Bio what Co. I saw WSG and forbs and dirt right on tract IMO
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Post by tandem160 on May 19, 2012 15:09:55 GMT -5
DNR's Bob Montgomery is the biologist in my area. He's been a real help and very easy to talk to, great guy.
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Post by camojordan on May 20, 2012 21:22:13 GMT -5
WSG?
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Post by throbak on May 21, 2012 6:17:26 GMT -5
Warm Season Grass= WSG
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