GEORGIA FORESTRY AND ESTATE PLANNING TRAINING THROUGH LANDOWNER WORKSHOPS

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: RREA
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1011506
• Project Start Date: Oct 21, 2016
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2021
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
1005 STATE UNIVERSITY DRIVE
FORT VALLEY,GA 31030

Performing Department
Extension Administration

Non Technical Summary
Georgia's forest resource creates a 12.7 billion dollar direct economic impact in the state (Economic Development Institute-GA Tech). There are millions of dollars available in cost-share programs funded by USDA to assist these private landowners in sustaining their natural resource operation. Several research studies have documented that minority and limited resource landowners are often not aware of federal and state opportunities to maintain and/or increase their land productivity.These minority forest landowners in most cases have not received any technical assistance and/or information that will assist them in their operation of maintaining and managing their forestlands to maximize their operation's income.To ensure that the needs of thelimited resource andminoritylandowners are addressed, the FVSU Cooperative Extension Program through this projectwill collaborate with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Program, USDA Rural Development, USDA Forest Service, and the Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Heirs Property Law Center, and Georgia Apple Seed, Inc.The overall purpose of this program is to increase outreach, awareness and technical assistance to minority and limited resource forest landowners about land management and its value.

Animal Health Component

(N/A)

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

(N/A)

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
123	0699	3020	70%
801	0699	3020	30%

Knowledge Area
801 - Individual and Family Resource Management; 123 - Management and Sustainability of Forest Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
0699 - Trees, forests, and forest products, general;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;

Keywords

forest stewardship

estate planning

minority landowners

training workshops

Goals / Objectives
Goal 1: Increasing outreach, awareness and technical assistance to minoritylandowners in the areas of sustainable natural resource practices and effective estate planning.Goal 2: Ensuring healthy forest ecosystems by providing trainings to landowners, land managers, and other natural resource professionals on sustainable forest mamagement practices including effective estate planning.

Project Methods
The workshop will be conducted by FVSU-Cooperative Extension Program in partnership with agencies such as the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC), Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Heirs Property Law Center, Georgia Apple Seed,University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, USDA Farm Service Agency, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Forest Service, and USDA Rural Development. The workshop will be developed with needed input from the partnering organizations to be specifically tailored to meet the needs of their clientele. A separate planning committee will be developed for each workshop. The planning committee will consist of FVSU County Extension Agents, local USDA personnel, farmers and landowners. The planning committee will be responsible for providing input on the day to day planning of the workshops. Marketing materials, including flyers, email blasts, radio and newspaper advertisement will be developed and distributed in the target counties along with contiguous counties to encourage participation.The listed partners will also aide in the development of fact sheet publications by provides resource information and education from their perpective organizations. This information will be distributed to minority landowners though email blasts, mailouts, and exhibits.

Progress 10/21/16 to 09/30/21

Outputs
Target Audience:This project focused on minority and underserved landowners in the Black-belt region of Georgia. Changes/Problems:In March of 2020, we were faced with COVID 19, therefore we adapted the virtual format for providing educational programs instead of the traditional face-to-face programs. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has co-sponsored in-service training for FVSU county agents on forest management and estate planning. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results have been disseminated to communities through local news releases, workshops, FVSU Extension publications, social media outlets such as Facebook and Instagram. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In 2021, the projectpartnered with organizations to coordinate virtual workshops. The partnering organizations consist of the following: • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service • USDA Farm Service Agency • Georgia Heir Property Law Center and • UGA Warnell School of Forestry. The project co-sponsored three (3) educational workshops in the following months: March 2021; June 2021; September 2021. The workshops included sessions on the following: Disaster & Risk Management Programs for Landowners, USDA Cost-share Programs, and Estate Planning. These virtual workshops reached over 550 participants through Zoom and Facebook Live platforms. In 2020, the projectpartnered with organizations to coordinate virtual workshops. The partnering organizations consist of the following: • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service • USDA Farm Service Agency • Georgia Heir Property Law Center and • UGA Warnell School of Forestry. The project co-sponsored three (3) educational workshops in the following months: June 2020; August 2020; September 2020. The workshops included sessions on the following: Forest Economics / Understanding Taxes, USDA Cost-share Programs, and Estate Planning. These virtual workshops reached over 800 participants through the platforms of Zoom and Facebook Live. In 2019, the projectpartnered with organizations to coordinate workshops. The partnering organizations consist of the following: • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service • USDA Farm Service Agency • Georgia Heir Property Law Center • UGA Warnell School of Forestry • Georgia Forestry Commission and • Golden Triangle RCD who Co-sponsored an additional six (6) educational workshops series entitled "Landowner Academy". These workshops occurred on the following months: February 2019; March 2019; April 2019; The workshop series was held in Colquitt, GA. The workshop included sessions on the following: Forest Management & Understanding Taxes, Essentials of Record-keeping, Water Management, Estate Planning, AG Management, and Landowning 101. We Co-sponsored an educational forestry workshop in Sparta, GA on September 12, 2019 entitled "Managing Your Land for Profit". The workshop included sessions on the following: timber management, forest health, estate planning and resources available through the U.S. Department Agriculture (USDA). In 2018, the projectpartnered with organizations to coordinate workshops. The partnering organizations consist of the following: • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service • USDA Farm Service Agency • Georgia Heir Property Law Center • UGA Warnell School of Forestry • Georgia Forestry Commission and • Golden Triangle RCD who Co-sponsored an educational workshop series entitled "Landowner Academy" on the following dates: February 27; March 13; March 27; April 10; April 24; May 8, 2018. The workshop series wereheld in Fitzgerald, GA. The workshop included sessions on the following: Forest Management/Understanding Taxes, Essentials of Record-keeping, Water Management, Estate Planning, AG Management, and Landowning 101. We Co-sponsored an educational forestry workshop in Dublin, GA on May 23, 2018 entitled "Managing Your Land for Profit". The workshop included sessions on the following: timber management, forest health, estate planning and resources available through the U.S. Department Agriculture (USDA). In 2017, the projectpartnered with organizations to coordinate workshops. The partnering organizations consist of the following: • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service • USDA Farm Service Agency • Georgia Heir Property Law Center • UGA Warnell School of Forestry • Georgia Forestry Commission and• Golden Triangle RCD who Co-sponsored an educational workshop series entitled "Landowner Academy" on the following dates: February 28; March 14; March 28; April 11; April 25; May 9, 2017. The workshop series was held in Albany, GA. The workshop included sessions on the following: Forest Management/Understanding Taxes, Essentials of Record-keeping, Water Management, Estate Planning, AG Management, and Landowning 101. We Co-sponsored an educational workshop series entitled "Landowner Academy" on the following dates: September 5; September 19; October 3; October 17; October 30; November 14, 2017. Thisworkshop series was held in Dawson, GA. The workshop included sessions on the following: Forest Management/Understanding Taxes, Essentials of Recordkeeping, Wildlife Management, Estate Planning, AG Management, and Landowning 101.

Publications

Progress 10/01/20 to 09/30/21

Outputs
Target Audience:Minority landowners located in the black-belt counties of Georgia. Changes/Problems:Due to COVID 19, we adapted the vitual format for providing educational programs instead of the traditional face-to-face programs. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has continued to co-sponsor in-service training for FVSU county agents on forest management and estate planning. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results have been disseminated to communities through local news releases and FVSU Extension publications, website, YouTube, and Facebook. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This project will continue to provide educational workshops and training to local landowners in the black-belt region of Georgia.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The project currently partnered with organizations to coordinate virtual workshops. The partnering organizations consist of the following: • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service • USDA Farm Service Agency • Georgia Heir Property Law Center • UGA Warnell School of Forestry. The project co-sponsored three (3) educational workshops in the following months: March 2021; June 2021; September 2021. The workshops included sessions on the following: Disaster & Risk Management Programs for Landowners, USDA Cost-share Programs, and Estate Planning. These virtual workshops reached over 550 participants throughZoom and Facebook Live platforms.

Publications

Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:Minority landowners located in the black-belt counties of Georgia. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has continued to co-sponsorin-service training for FVSU county agents on forest management and estate planning. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results have been disseminated to communities through local news releases and FVSU Extension publications,website, YouTube, and Facebook. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This project will continue to provide educational workshops and training to local landowners in the black-belt region of Georgia.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The project currently partnered with organizations to coordinate virtual workshops. The partnering organizations consist of the following: • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service • USDA Farm Service Agency • Georgia Heir Property Law Center • UGA Warnell School of Forestry.The project co-sponsored three(3) educationalworkshops in the following months: June2020; August2020; September2020. The workshops included sessions on the following: Forest Economics / Understanding Taxes, USDA Cost-share Programs, andEstate Planning. These virtual workshops reached over 800 participants through the platforms of Zoom and Facebook Live.

Publications

Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:Minority landowners located in the black-belt counties of Georgia Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has continued to co-sponsored in-service training for FVSU county agents on forest management and estate planning. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results have been disseminated to communities through local news releases and FVSU Extension publications and website. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This project will continue to provide educational workshops and trainingto local landowners in the black-belt region of Georgia.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The project currently partnered with organizations to coordinate workshops. The partnering organizations consist of the following: • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service • USDA Farm Service Agency • Georgia Heir Property Law Center • UGA Warnell School of Forestry • Georgia Forestry Commission • Golden Triangle RCD Co-sponsored an educational six (6) workshop series entitled "Landowner Academy" on the following months: February 2019; March 2019; April 2019; The workshop series was held in Colquitt, GA. The workshop included sessions on the following: Forest Management/Understanding Taxes, Essentials of Recordkeeping, Water Management, Estate Planning, AG Management, and Landowning 101. Co-sponsored an educational forestry workshop in Sparta, GA on September 12, 2019entitled "Managing Your Land for Profit". The workshop included sessions on the following: timber management, forest health, estate planning and resources available through the U.S. Department Agriculture (USDA).

Publications

Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:Minority landowners located in the black-belt counties of Georgia Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has co-sponsored in-service training for FVSU county agents on forest management and estate planning. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results have been disseminated to communities through local news releases and FVSU Extension publications. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This project will continue to provide educational workshops and trainingsto local landowners in the black-belt region of Georgia.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The project currently partnered with organizations to coordinate workshops. The partnering organizations consist of the following: • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service • USDA Farm Service Agency • Georgia Heir Property Law Center • UGA Warnell School of Forestry • Georgia Forestry Commission • Golden Triangle RCD Co-sponsored an educational workshop series entitled "Landowner Academy" on the following dates: February 27; March 13; March 27; April 10; April 24; May 8, 2018. The workshop series was held in Fitzgerald, GA. The workshop included sessions on the following: Forest Management/Understanding Taxes, Essentials of Recordkeeping, Water Management, Estate Planning, AG Management, and Landowning 101.Co-sponsored an educational forestry workshop in Dublin, GA on May 23, 2018 entitled "Managing Your Land for Profit". Theworkshop included sessions on the following: timber management, forest health, estate planning and resources available through the U.S. Department Agriculture (USDA).

Publications

Progress 10/21/16 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:Minority landowners located in the black-belt counties of Georgia Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has co-sponsored in-service training for FVSU county agents on forest management and estate planning. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results have been disseminated to communities through local news releases and FVSU Extension publications. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This project will continue to provide educational workshops and trainingsto local landowners in the black-belt region of Georgia.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The project currently partnered with organizations to coordinate workshops. The partnering organizations consist of the following: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service USDA Farm Service Agency Georgia Heir Property Law Center UGA Warnell School of Forestry Georgia Forestry Commission Golden Triangle RCD Co-sponsored an educational workshop series entitled "Landowner Academy" on the following dates: February 28; March 14; March 28; April 11; April 25; May 9, 2017. The workshop series was held in Albany, GA. Theworkshop included sessions on the following: Forest Management/Understanding Taxes, Essentials of Recordkeeping, Water Management, Estate Planning, AG Management, and Landowning 101. Co-sponsored an educational workshop series entitled "Landowner Academy" on the following dates: September 5; September 19; October 3; October 17; October 30; November 14, 2017. The workshop series was held in Dawson, GA. Theworkshop included sessions on the following: Forest Management/Understanding Taxes, Essentials of Recordkeeping, Wildlife Management, Estate Planning, AG Management, and Landowning 101.

Publications