2nd National Extension Nat Res Conference-Abstract 68

Jonathan S. Kays, University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, 18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, Maryland 21756; 301.432.2767; jk87@umail.umd.edu

Changes in land use and demographics in many regions of the U.S. have resulted in the fragmentation and parcelization of larger farm and forest properties. Extension educators are commonly faced with farm and forest owners, such as forest landowners, traditional farmers, small and part-time farmers, and urban returnees, requesting assistance on income enterprises related to agriculture, natural resources, and recreational access. Unfortunately, many educators and other professionals are unfamiliar with the range of opportunities and assistance tends to focus on familiar opportunities at the exclusion of others.

Economic objectives vary from paying the taxes to providing a substantial source of income. Many enterprise options focus on value-added products and/or services, which may start as hobbies and evolve into businesses after the person gains knowledge about marketing, production, and profitability. The most popular and profitable opportunities involve those related to forest farming and forest products, recreational access and tourism, and alternative agriculture. Elements of agroforestry, riparian buffer management, non-timber forest products and other specialty areas are included in these broad areas.

Since 1991 the Maryland Cooperative Extension has offered educational programs and materials on a broad range of income opportunities to educate potential entrepreneurs. While this programming is effective, there are indications the approach fails to address more basic needs in the enterprise evaluation process. Landowners need a user-friendly, self-assessment process that directs them to assess their goals and skills and those of their family or team members against a number of enterprise options. Some of these will include passive activities such as implementing a forest stewardship plan and taking advantage of property tax, timber tax, and estate planning opportunities. For others this process may include a more thorough inventory of land and natural resources, as well as the families? physical and personal resources. Once an enterprise is chosen, a marketing strategy must be developed, followed by an examination of production considerations. Central to an enterprise is helping landowners develop a simple enterprise budget to determine cost and revenues and potential profit. The landowner can then make a decision to start an enterprise based on good information and realistic expectations.

These needs have led to the draft development of a workbook and Powerpoint presentation that can be used by educators and landowners alike to assist landowners in evaluating the range of enterprise options. A multi-state project is seeking to bring together extension experts in agriculture and natural resources to develop an expert computer system that will help landowners identify enterprise options. This type of whole-land approach that focuses on process and not solely on production will provide landowners a road map for making a well-informed decision.

My presentation will solicit feedback from participants.