Seeking Forester and hybridized timber harvest

[LongViewFarm]

My family has a large parcel of land in Grafton, VT. Approx 360 acres that is currently not in current use and is a rather large tax burden. I have been commissioned to find a forester to write a forest management plan for us. Our goals with this plan are three fold:

1) Get the land into current use tax status, ASAP.
2) Cut enough timber to pay the taxes each year. Preferably hiring local teamsters or running a hybridized harvest.
3) Establish roads and infrastructure for a potential division of the lot among 8 children.

We are willing to pay a fair rate for a management plan and to begin logging this winter if it’s practical.
I’d like to hear thoughts from anyone. Any foresters willing to write a plan in Grafton VT should send me a PM.

Thanks.

[Carl Russell]

Jay, any forester can get you enrolled in UVA. The application date is September 1st, so you have a lot of time to get that together. If the land will be subdivided then you should have that done before you apply, as the subdivision may cause additional costs for development in the future.

While any forester can write the plan, I doubt you will find many who will entertain your idea of an animal power based harvesting plan.

If you would like any help from me, while Grafton is not close, I charge $50/hour for forestry consultation, and I have a fair amount of experience in what you are asking about.

Also, if you attend the workshop in Athol http://www.draftanimalpowernetwork.org/dapnet-events we will be spending a lot of time discussing the intersection of modern conventional forestry and the realistic application of animal power….

Carl

[Rick Alger]

This sounds like a great opportunity. I wish I lived closer. I’m way too old to be logging anyway, but if Carl or somebody else gets something rolling, I would be glad to talk things over.

[LongViewFarm]

We’ll be in touch Carl. The pieces are there for some up front investment and a chance to set up a model working forest with hybridized harvests. I hear your talk last year in Athol and that’s what I have in mind. As for subdividing before forestry planning, that involves getting family members to step up and make decisions- not always an easy feat.

Thanks,
Jay

[Author]

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