Getting started on TSI

The first step before cutting anything would be to have you local private land consultant come out from the MDC. I would also have the forester come too. They will help you apply and get cost share programs to help pay the cost. They will also help identify if you should consider logging for extra money if your forest is ready for it. There is a good chance you can have a lot done with little to no cost from you. You have to do the paperwork, follow ups, and planning. But they will tell,you the options and programs available.

What he said ,, plus they can usually provide a list of contractors that are familiar with the program .

Get your PLC involved in the process. You're going to first have to have your project mapped. If memory serves me correctly, you'll have to sign up first for equp to get a forester to write a forest plan. That will have to be done before any TSI is paid for.

My suggestion is to look into seeing if you qualify for CSP (conservation stewardship program) It pays far better than MDC TSI programs. If you've got any open ground for planting polinator plots, they may also qualify for CSP.

pinwheel said:

Get your PLC involved in the process. You're going to first have to have your project mapped. If memory serves me correctly, you'll have to sign up first for equp to get a forester to write a forest plan. That will have to be done before any TSI is paid for.

My suggestion is to look into seeing if you qualify for CSP (conservation stewardship program) It pays far better than MDC TSI programs. If you've got any open ground for planting polinator plots, they may also qualify for CSP.

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This is new to me. But is CSP kinda like CRP payments? Or are you just talking about the initial cost that they pay to have the work done? Again, this is new to me too.

What they said. As for cost per acre, depends on what you have and what you need, but estimates will probably run in the $150 to $275 per acre for TSI, again, depending on what they have to do. YMMV :tup:

cy912 said:

This is new to me. But is CSP kinda like CRP payments? Or are you just talking about the initial cost that they pay to have the work done? Again, this is new to me too.

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It's a program through the NRCS office. It was kind of a pain to get qualified for, but it pays a stupid amount of money if your property does qualify.

It's a 5 year program. Heck, we even planted 1/2 acre of pollinator plots in our yard 24 acres of TSI & 4 acres of pollinator plots paid just shy of $40k spread out over 5 years. Unlike crp, no crop history required.

IF you are just wanting to do TSI, CSP is not the program. While CSP does pay well in some instances, it isn't always the best cost share program. For forested ground to be competitive in CSP, you will need a Forest Management Plan prior to application. The application period for CSP just ended. The next federal signup for EQIP will likely be in November. For any federal programs you will need to have an approved Forest Management Plan prior to signing an application. There are several avenues to get this. You can get costshare through MDC or NRCS to pay a TSP (Private consultant) to write the plan, or depending on where the land is and the workload of the MDC forester, they may be able to write one for you for free. There are some PLCs that write FMPs as well. I would agree with the others and get in touch with our local PLC. They can guide you through what costshare options are available. As an FYI, Crawford county will have some bat restrictions if using costshare.