This next installment of our look at the Current Use program goes over actions landowners should take and considerations to keep in mind in order to keep their forests enrolled in the program. As was previously stated in earlier articles, for forestland to qualify for the program a parcel must be at least 25 acres
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One-stop resource for land managers who are looking for information on invasive species. USDA Forest Service scientists have delivered a new comprehensive assessment of the invasive species that confront America’s forests and grasslands, from new arrivals to some that invaded so long ago that people are surprised to learn they are invasive. The assessment, titled
Read More...As you know, Forest Management Activity Reports are due by February 1st , 2021 on UVA forestland parcels where activity was implemented in 2020. I want to remind folks that FMARs can now be submitted on eCuse by both landowners and consulting foresters. Submission online is an option, not a requirement. Some of the major benefits for
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On January 14th, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) ended the Federal Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) quarantine to place more emphasis on management and biological controls to combat the pest. In Vermont, while we continue to find new areas of infestation, our forests support overwhelmingly healthy populations of ash to protect
Read More...Natural Resources University is a podcast network focused on delivering science-based natural resources information to landowners and managers. This network builds off the successes of the Deer University podcast (Mississippi State) and is a result of a RREA Focus Grant. The network includes 4 podcasts lead by various extension specialists. And each podcast focuses on natural
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In this third article about Current Use, we begin to explore some of the myths about the program. As in most cases, there are too many myths to cover here so stay tuned for more myths in the months to come. Use Value Appraisal or Current Use can apply to either agricultural land or forest
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Ash is an important part of the forests in the Northeast. If you are lucky to have ash trees in your woods, they bring unique assets. Sadly, ash species are facing attack by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive wood-boring insect that feeds on ash trees. EAB has been present in the U.S. since
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There have been new detections of EAB in Vermont that have expanded the infested areas within Bennington, Caledonia, Lamoille, and Washington counties. These new detections were discovered through seasonal monitoring for the presence of EAB using purple traps and trap trees. Because the EAB flight season has ended, we have concluded our surveying efforts for this
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Once upon a time, “Pioneer” was the pathway to becoming a Tree Farmer. Today, Pioneer status can still serve as an introductory level of participation in the program, but it is not a mandatory starting point. The Pioneer category allows interested landowners who may not quite meet AFF Standards of Sustainability but do meet eligibility
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In this second article about Vermont’s Current Use program, we explore how to get started. Current Use can apply to either agricultural land or forest land. For our purposes, we will focus on forest land. As always, we endeavor to provide information that is as clear as possible; however, as with many subjects, the answers
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