[trapperBR549]

Thought I would start a new thread for this topic. I know several people here have worked with MDC and NRCS and would appreciate any input on your experience with the process and especially any suggestions.
So far I know it is slow with plenty of bureaucratic hoops to jump through.
Our property has been accepted into the NRCS EQIP program. As I understand the process, we will now have a Forest Management Plan prepared. There is a list of approved technical service providers that I need to choose from to create the actual plan, I pay for it and NRCS reimburses us. Then we actually start implementing the plan and there are cost shares for the various improvements outlined in the plan.
I have had a couple of MDC and NRCS people walk the place and they all said they imagine a harvest will be on the list and normally they want to do as much invasive species control as possible before the harvest. We have a little russian/autumn olive, some multiflora rose, some bush honeysuckle, but not terrible. And cedars o'plenty.
I'm sure it will be a fun and rewarding process.
If anybody has any input on Forest Management Plan providers please speak up or 2u2 me.
The list is:
Matthew Arndt with mattshealthywoods.com, Cameron, MO
Peter Carson with heritage forest, Columbia, MO
Tyler Cox, also with mattshealthywoods, Higbee MO
Douglas Enyart, Piedmont MO
John Fleming, Hermann MO
Michael Gaskins, Eminence MO
Heartland Forest Consulting, Ashland MO
Matthew Jones, Ironton MO
Lorren Leatherman, Plattsburg MO
Christopher Lohmann, Ashland MO
William Riggle, Dexter MO
Joseph Sheals, Columbia MO
Josh Shroyer, Riverton WY
Philip Sneed, Chillicothe MO
Josh Stevens, Columbia MO
Nina Wajrowski, Crystal Lake IL
Michael Young, Pocahontas AR

 

[BackyardBandit]

At least they're all close to your place...

 

[CuivreDog2]

Joe Sheals has done all my work the past few years. I've been extremely happy with his communication, work product, and actually showing up when he says he will. I've worked with a couple others on that list in the past and had "other" results.

I will say Joe is extremely busy so a year wait is not uncommon, get on his schedule NOW if you want to move the process forward.

 

[PoisonSnake]

Joe Sheals did my plan and it was excellent in terms of the document/presentation. He also did the work. He's pretty busy these days I think but is still available to do the plan if you have someone to do the boots on the ground stuff. I also met John Fleming and I can tell you he seemed like a standup guy.

 

[letemgrow]

Lorren Leatherman wrote up my plan.

Everything went well moving forward from that point on.

 

[trapperBR549]

At least they're all close to your place...

Supposedly everybody on the list is willing to work in Franklin County. I can't wait to talk to the guy from Wyoming.

 

[callaojoe]

Can't wait to hear how this all goes for you, sounds like it'll be a fun journey.

 

[trapperBR549]

Can't wait to hear how this all goes for you, sounds like it'll be a fun journey.

So far it is mostly frustrating. Hopefully after the plan is done things go smoother.

 

[PoisonSnake]

You will love the plan part of it. It's pretty cool to have a document that outlines everything you would like to know about the piece of dirt that you own.

 

[letemgrow]

You will love the plan part of it. It's pretty cool to have a document that outlines everything you would like to know about the piece of dirt that you own.

I've read mine several times.

It's neat how they break each stand down by tree species and their %/component of the stand.

The soil types of each stand are also included. There's a ton of information to glean from the forestry plan.

 

[trapperBR549]

I've read mine several times.

It's neat how they break each stand down by tree species and their %/component of the stand.

The soil types of each stand is also included. There's a ton of information to glean from the forestry plan.

So after I have the plan you can tell me what species to plant where?

 

[timberdoodle]

So far it is mostly frustrating. Hopefully after the plan is done things go smoother.

Keep us updated on this , I’m curious how it turns out for you. I know nothing about this process , are there any drawbacks to having it done ? Other than the aforementioned frustration

 

[10er]

I used Matt Arndt everything was done in a timely manner, clear and concise plan that came in a hard copy and thumb drive. It's a little overwhelming to see the amount of work needed as a whole, must be broken down into the stands he provides. I took on to much last year, luckily the NRCS was flexible to work with.

 

[rat]

I've read mine several times.

It's neat how they break each stand down by tree species and their %/component of the stand.

The soil types of each stand is also included. There's a ton of information to glean from the forestry plan.

The soil type/texture/series can all be freely accessed via the NRCS tool by anyone, just wanted to mention that for people interested that didnt know. It can be intimidating so youtubes about how to use the tool and define AOIs are very helpful.

Web Soil Survey | Natural Resources Conservation Service

Web Soil Survey (WSS) provides soil data and information produced by the National Cooperative Soil Survey.

www.nrcs.usda.gov

It is nice to have though and it does have implications on the overall forestry plan I would think. I’ve not looked at a plan like that myself…need to. I would LOVE a % breakdown of the stand on the farm I hunt.

Good thread.

 

[trapperBR549]

Keep us updated on this , I’m curious how it turns out for you. I know nothing about this process , are there any drawbacks to having it done ? Other than the aforementioned frustration

No drawbacks that I am aware of yet. I have to pay for the plan up front which they estimate to be around $3900 but I think they reimburse pretty quickly. There might be some restrictions on what you can do on the land for how long afterwards. I got cost share from MDC to clear cedars from an old field and cannot do anything but cut hay after June for 10 years for example. I can food plot, just not row crop and harvest.

 

[doepee]

Worked with John Fleming as our consultant to oversee our harvest in Franklin county. He is a good guy and knows his stuff, but overall he did not need to be that involved in the harvest. Tyler Cox did our TSI. They were responsive and out on our property within a few weeks of contacting them. They blasted through the areas quickly and overall we were pleased. We had some issues with them cutting non-target trees (dogwoods and small stem) and there was no regard to felling trees on existing paths. We had two paths in about 20 acres of harvest that were impassable upon completion. They also dropped trees all through our creek making it impossible to walk through. We should have clarified those points with them in advance, especially the creek. Good luck!

 

[kevinoller99]

I've been working with MDC Forester Sam Kosark. He took into consideration that my primary objective was to improve the deer habitat as well as improve the timber stand. Given my background and experience, he was fine with me doing the work myself, which I really enjoy doing. In '22 I did about 8 acres of tsi and I've already completed my '23 work which was 12 more acres and edge feathering. I was paid for the work very quickly. I have a few more acres to complete and I will also be paid for burning the next cycle.

 

[rat]

I've been working with MDC Forester Sam Kosark. He took into consideration that my primary objective was to improve the deer habitat as well as improve the timber stand. Given my background and experience, he was fine with me doing the work myself, which I really enjoy doing. In '22 I did about 8 acres of tsi and I've already completed my '23 work which was 12 more acres and edge feathering. I was paid for the work very quickly. I have a few more acres to complete and I will also be paid for burning the next cycle.

You did that work quick like.

 

[letemgrow]

 

[letemgrow]