Cost-sharing assistance may be available for certain management practices through selected state and Federal agency offices in your county. The resource consultant needs to oversee marketing of timber, because the consultant is familiar with the type, volume, and current market value of timber on cooperative lands. The resource consultant can ensure landowners the best possible price for merchantable timber by requesting bids from several timber buyers. Fee-hunting on cooperative lands should be promoted by the cooperative members or officers, with marketing methods centered around income level and other goals. Income Along with traditional agricultural enterprises, wildlife and forestry offer cooperative landowners an opportunity for income.
Forest management can be a profitable enterprise with returns spread over a relatively long period.
For example, during a 30-year rotation cycle of a loblolly pine stand, there are two to three periods when the landowner receives income. The return from a well-managed loblolly pine stand calculated over the entire rotation age, however, can be substantial. Contact your county Extension office or forester for current annual values. Annual revenue from fee-hunting on cooperative lands can offset the waiting period of income received through forest management and may cover the majority of land cost. Three forms of fee-hunting offered by landowners include permit, lease, and commercial membership.