Meant for this to be a reply
I'm not sure about NC. In Kentucky, I had a hay/timber land. I think the requirement was anything over 10 acres could be considered a farm. You'll want to check with the local FSA office. They have maps. I just showed them on the map book where my place was and they said, ok. It was different for me too, calling land a "farm". I've always called it property or land. Yes, definitely check around and see if it makes sense for you. The way I got into it was, I contacted my local private lands biologist with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. They give free advice and mine was a huge wealth of info. He told me exactly what to ask for at the NRCS office. They work closely together in Kentucky. He walked the property with me, just pointing out different plants and answering questions. That was one of the best things I've done.
Yes sir, thank you. Im definitely on the "mineral stump" train
Yes sir, thank you. I am definitely on the "mineral stump" train. I have a few getting attention now with cameras up on them. I had not heard of caging them for a year to keep them alive indefinitely. I might as well try a few like that of different species.
Yes, i would imagine the need for cages would also be relative to the ratio of what is provided and how many deer will be using them (i.e. graze pressure). For example, right now in this cut over im dealing with multiple stump sprouts, mostly maple, that each have a dozen plus "trees" growing out of the same stump, like a medusa. Its ugly. They are all around 3-4" thick and around 18' tall. I guess this could have been because they were less desirable at the time because of the particular tree beimg less palatable for who knows what reason, but at any rate they didnt get browsed to death. Im going back now and cutting them all off at 1-2' high, except maybe one or two of the biggest. Im hoping this makes a real salad bowl for them.
Thank you, this exactly what i have done. In fact, your description is how i would have said it. It was fascinating to me and what set me on this coarse of habitat management. There are three other areas, about 3-8 acreas each, that are dense 40-50 year old pines. His recomendation was to clear cut these. I also, ran this current cut over treatment by him and he was in favor. He did not mention the EQIP program though.
Good idea. They can be cut back a number of times to get that same result.
For USDA farm program purposes a fam is defined, loosely, as land in an agricultural enterprise ( a for profit business) eligible for program payments and/or land where NRCS considers there to be a valid natural resource concern. You will need to consult NRCS to ask for an evaluation of your land. They propose and you dispose - although a good local office will work with you. If the land is strictly forest NRCS will have your State Department of Forestry do the evaluation...or that's how it works here in Virginia. States have a lot of individual latitude to establish working relationships and lists of resource concerns. The problem with things like EQUIP is that they tend to be oversubscribed. A certain amount of funding is established each fiscal year and many times the money runs out long before all the approved projects are funded. Such things are contracts and when you accept the money you are bound by terms. Failure to comply requires repaying the funding plus interest for the entire amount.
Thank you for the response. It sounds like I need to reach out and see where the program stands in my area. Seems like the feasibility varies by location.
Be sure to ask specifically about what cost share programs are available through both state and federal programs and initiatives. I had our private land specialist over twice (2012 and 2017) and he never mentioned any cost share programs. After I read about EQIP online, I had him come out again and specifically asked enrolling in the EQIP program. I applied that year and were turned down. He came back and re-assessed the project, adding some additional projects I was interested in accomplishing such as 8 acres of cedar removal. The expanded request was approved for 2020-2023 funding. I received the final payment this year and have two more years of maintenance. Here is a link to that journey.
