RESOURCES

Nationwide Resources

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
Administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), this program provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits .

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
Administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) this is a land conservation program which provides financial support for landowners who agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality .

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
This program is administered through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It helps agricultural producers maintain and improve their existing conservation systems and adopt additional conservation activities to address priority resources concern.

Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP)
Administered by the Farm Service Agency, this program helps private landowners by authorizing payments to restore health of forests damaged by natural disasters.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) this program provides agricultural producers financial and technical assistance related to the planning and implementation of conservation practices which address natural resource concerns and for opportunities to improve soil, water, plant, animal, air and related resources on agricultural lands and non-industrial private forestland.

Forest Legacy Program (FLP)
 US Forest Service program in partnership with North Carolina complements private, Federal and State programs focused on the protection of privately owned forest lands through conservation agreements. Participants may be eligible for up to 75% of costs associated with projects as well as potential tax reductions. The property must be in a designated Forest Legacy Area to qualify.

Forest Stewardship Program (FSP)
A US Forest Service program provides technical assistance to non-industrial private forest (NIPF) owners to encourage and enable active long-term forest management. Primary focus is given to the development of comprehensive, multi-resource management plans that provide landowners information needed to manage their forests for a variety of products and services.

Healthy Forest Reserve Program (HFRP)
Administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), this program provides landowners with 10-year restoration agreements and 30-year or permanent easements for specific conservation actions. Land enrolled in HFRP easements must be privately owned or owned by Indian tribes and restore, enhance or measurably increase the recovery of threatened or endangered species, improve biological diversity or increase carbon storage.

North carolina resources

Present-Use Value Tax Program (PUV): A qualifying property can be assessed for property tax purposes based on its use as agricultural, horticultural, wildlife, or forest land. The present-use value of the land is based solely on its ability to produce income, rather than its market value. Administered by the county assessors. To qualify there is a minimum acreage requirement of ten acres for agriculture, five acres for horticulture and twenty acres for forest use and wildlife. Other requirements apply.

Wildlife Conservation Land Program (WCLP): A program that allows landowners who have owned their property for at least 5 years and want to manage for protected wildlife species or priority wildlife habitats to apply for reduced property tax assessment.

Voluntary Agricultural Districts (VAD): A program designed to encourage and protect commercial agriculture. Administered at the county level. Basic requirement is that the land be enrolled in a PUV program or meet other qualifications.

Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural Districts (EVAD): A VAD formed of one or more farms that are subject to an irrevocable ten-year agreement to limit development. In addition to VAD benefits landowners may be eligible to receive a higher percentage of cost-share under the Agricultural Cost Share Program-as high as 90 percent assistance.

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP): This program is administered by NRCS. It assists landowners in addressing high-priority conservation issues, identified by local, state, or tribal governments or nonprofit organizations. In exchange for introducing conservation practices, farmers, ranchers and agricultural landowners are paid an annual rental rate.

North Carolina Forest Development Program (FDP): This program is administered by the North Carolina Forest Service . It is designed to encourage private landowners to reforest after harvest and to place their idle and under-productive forestland into full timber production.

Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP): Administered through North Carolina’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources, this program works with willing landowners to improve and protect North Carolina’s natural resources . Land benefits include permanent protection of the property through conservation agreements or through sale or donation of their land.

Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund (ADFP): Administered by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, this program provides information and assistance to landowners regarding applications for VADs, EVADs and Farmland Protection Plans .

Conservation Trust for North Carolina (CTNC): Works with landowners to conserve land through conservation agreements . Also supports and represents 23 local land trusts in NC so they can conserve land in the communities they serve .

North Carolina Forest Association Working Lands Trust (NCFA) : Serves as a trust fund for organizations and agencies interested in funding the maintenance of working lands, and to facilitate conservation tools for landowner and protection needs for working lands.

Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD): A sub-unit of state government that can assist with implementing ADFP and provide technical assistance with EEP implementation, among other conservation activities.

The Conservation Fund: Mission is to save land for future generations. Seek to balance environmental and economic goals for a win-win.

Conservation Trust for North Carolina: Works with local land trusts, landowners, communities, and government agencies to protect North Carolina’s streams, forests, farms, scenic vistas, wildlife habitat, parks and trails.

​

My Land Plan: For woodland owners. Information on resources. List of cost-share programs available under USDA Farm Bill. Information on how to apply for financial assistance.

Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) Service Center Locator
Farm Bill ​Program Information: Provides farmers and ranchers financial and technical assistance to implement conservation methods.

North Carolina Appraisal Board: Provides information on finding a qualified appraiser as well as a Search feature which allows you verify appraiser licensure.

North Carolina Board of Registration for Foresters: Provides an alphabetical list of registered foresters in North Carolina (under Registered Foresters tab).

North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service: Provides the public meetings, workshops, personal consultations and other educational opportunities on topics related to sustainable agriculture, forestry and protecting the environment.

North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation Districts: Deliver state and federal Farm Bill conservation programs involving water quality practices, farmland protection, wetlands restoration and wildlife habitat enhancement.

North Carolina State Board of Certified Public Accountant Examiners
Provides information helpful in selecting a CPA.

NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Trust Fund
Provides services that promote and improve agriculture, agribusiness and forest; protect consumers and businesses; and conserve farmland and natural resources.

North Carolina East Alliance: Works with state, local and national economic development organizations to help existing industry expand through marketing and recruitment, building economic capacity, and location assistance.

North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office of Land and Water Stewardship http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/cpca/home
Promotes collaborative stewardship among North Carolina’s citizens, government regulators and the business community in order to maintain and enhance the environment and natural resources.

North Carolina Farm Bureau: A private, nonprofit, grassroots organization that promotes farm and rural issues through governmental relations, marketing, field representation, agricultural education, member services and more.

North Carolina State Bar: Provides a list of practicing lawyers as well as information helpful in choosing a lawyer.

North Carolina Forest Service: State agency that promotes the protection, management and development of NC’s forest resources. Offices are located in every county.

North Carolina Forestry Association: Is a private, nonprofit organization which promotes healthy, productive forests by supporting the efforts of landowners and forest related businesses and organizations who responsibly manage and use their forests.

​Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program (SPBPP): This cost-share program, administered by USDA Forest Service, aims to prevent outbreaks of the Southern pine beetle. The U.S Forest Service will reimburse private forest landowners 50 percent of actual or prevailing cost on practices that manage young pine stand for prevention of Southern pine beetle infestations.

South Carolina Resources

Center for Heirs Property Preservation
Protects heirs’ property and promotes its sustainable use to provide increased economic benefit to family owners through education and legal services. 
 
South Carolina Appraisal Board 
Provides information on finding a qualified appraiser as well as a Search feature which allows you verify appraiser licensure. 
 
South Carolina Board of Registration for Foresters 
FAQs and contact info for South Carolina foresters. 
 
South Carolina Cooperative Extension Service 
Provides the public meetings, workshops, personal consultations and other educational opportunities on topics related to sustainable agriculture, forestry and protecting the environment. 
 
South Carolina Soil and Water Conservation District 
Deliver state and federal Farm Bill conservation programs involving water quality practices, farmland protection, wetlands restoration and wildlife habitat enhancement.
 
South Carolina Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
 Provides services that promote and improve agriculture, agribusiness and forest; protect consumers and businesses; and conserve farmland and natural resources. ​

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources  
Promotes collaborative stewardship among South Carolina’s citizens, government regulators and the business community in order to maintain and enhance the environment and natural resources.

​South Carolina Farm Bureau  
A private, nonprofit, grassroots organization that promotes farm and rural issues through governmental relations, marketing, field representation, agricultural education, member services and more. 
 
South Carolina State Bar  
Provides a list of practicing lawyers as well as information helpful in choosing a lawyer. 
 
South Carolina Forestry Commission
State agency that promotes the protection, management and development of SC’s forest resources. 
 
South Carolina Forestry Association 
Is a private, nonprofit organization which promotes healthy, productive forests by supporting the efforts of landowners and forest related businesses and organizations who responsibly manage and use their forests. 
​​

Virginia resources

Conservation Fund
Mission is to save land for future generations. Seek to balance environmental and economic goals for a win-win.

My Land Plan
For woodland owners. Information on resources. List of cost-share programs available under USDA Farm Bill. Information on how to apply for financial assistance.

Virginia Appraisal Board
Provides information on finding a qualified appraiser as well as a Search feature which allows you verify appraiser licensure.

Virginia Cooperative Extension Service
Provides the public meetings, workshops, personal consultations and other educational opportunities on topics related to sustainable agriculture, forestry and protecting the environment.

Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Deliver state and federal Farm Bill conservation programs involving water quality practices, farmland protection, wetlands restoration and wildlife habitat enhancement.

Virginia Board of Accountancy
Provides information helpful in selecting a CPA.

Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Provides services that promote and improve agriculture, agribusiness and forest; protect consumers and businesses; and conserve farmland and natural resources.
​

Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation
Provides tangible and lasting improvements to the quality of Virginia's resource lands and waters; serving as a trusted steward of the outdoor recreational and natural resources placed under its care; promoting the conservation and enjoyment of Virginia's diverse and unique environment 

Virginia Farm Bureau
A private, nonprofit, grassroots organization that promotes farm and rural issues through governmental relations, marketing, field representation, agricultural education, member services and more.

Virginia State Bar
Provides a list of practicing lawyers as well as information helpful in choosing a lawyer.

Virginia Department of Forestry
State agency that promotes the protection, management and development of Virginia’s forest resources. Offices are located in every county.

Virginia Forestry Association
Is a private, nonprofit organization which promotes healthy, productive forests by supporting the efforts of landowners and forest related businesses and organizations who responsibly manage and use their forests.