Let me share a quick example of what I mean...
Maybe you have your heart on your children attending the top ivy league school to become a doctor, lawyer, or CEO of a fortune 500 business. We all know how competitive these schools are, so you must start preparing your children AS SOON AS they can basically blink their eyes... because if they're not fluently tri-lingual and can play the oboe by the time they enter pre-school...there is just no way they'll get into Harvard!
But as your child starts to grow into their own mindset and learning their natural skillset - they may turn out to be much more mechanically minded than academically minded... a better fit for trade school to be a mechanic or welder. That of course is significantly different than what we had dreamed up FOR them - but that doesn't make it any LESS successful, just because it's different. Of course, the opposite could be true - maybe you had desires for them to take over the family tire business and they turn out to be better geared towards academia... again, that doesn't make this NEW path any worse or less... it's just DIFFERENT.
So let's bring it back to forestland...
Having desires for your forestland is important. Having that vision of what you want it to end up and making the plans to get there is actually a crucial step! BUT... the thing is, your forestland's capabilities may not always line up with your goals for 2024.
For example again, perhaps you wanted that fast growing, revenue generating timber and you have a sand hill much better suited for slow growing longleaf pine; or maybe you had visions of walking down to your riverfront through hardwoods and your property floods 5 feet high during the rainy season.
None of this makes your property any LESS useful or manageable - because it isn't matching your original vision in your minds eye - you may just need to reevaluate your goals for 2024 and plans so you can set yourself, AND your land, up for success.
So HOW can I ensure I'm setting the right forestland goals for 2024?
By bringing in your local resources. If you haven't already, start off by bringing in your local resources. This includes your county forester, perhaps your local state biologist, your county's NRCS agents. Then you will talk with them about your overarching goals and your goals for 2024. During this process, be sure to take them to your forestland (or allow them access). You should then get their PROFESSIONAL opinions of your desires - if they're realistic with the forestland that you own. They can help you find the BEST way to reach your goals, and especially help create more realistic goals for 2024 to act on based on your land, budget, and how active/intense you want to be.
Just like how your kids will probably throw you many curveballs that don't line up with your mental vision, your forestland will likely throw you many curveballs that won't go according to plan. Don't let that discourage you.. just sit, regroup if needed, and enjoy the journey of forestland ownership and management!
