STEUBENVILLE — Free site visits and technical assistance is being offered to landowners throughout Jefferson and Harrison counties by Rural Action, a regional community development organization.

Rural Action works with members and community leaders on a range of quality of life, environmental and economic projects across rural Appalachian Ohio, with its mission being to build a more just economy by developing the region’s assets in environmentally, socially and economically sustainable ways.

Advice will be offered regarding agroforestry and wildlife habitat practices, including reforestation, forest farming, silvopasture, wildlife habitat and water quality protection through programs such as sustainable forestry and watersheds.

The Sustainable Forestry team works with the Forest Service on a Forest Landowner Support project to provide technical assistance on forest farming, silvopasture, invasive species management and opportunities for sustainable forest management.

The Watersheds team works with landowners to develop plans to improve aquatic in-stream habitat through streambank and floodplain reforestation, invasive species control and other practices that benefit water quality and wildlife habitat.

Landowners are encouraged to work with the Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service to learn about potential cost-share opportunities, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, to implement their plan to improve wildlife habitat. The shared goal of Rural Action, the Forest Service and NRCS is to help landowners develop plans and access potential funding for the implementation of agroforestry practices, sustainable forest management and water quality protection.

“Rural Action’s visit to our farm was incredibly helpful,” stated Carroll County landowner Aaron Wilburn. “They took the time to walk our land, identify trees and plants, point out invasives to remove and help us locate the best areas for planting and future growth. As a family working to steward this small farm, the guidance they gave us was the direction forward we needed. We are very grateful for their support and knowledge. It felt like a neighbor lending a helping hand.”

Derek Brown, a landowner in Vinton County, stated, “There are only a few moments I can think of that were as impactful in my first year as a forest farmer as Rural Action’s Forestry team visiting my farm. On the spot, I was introduced to species that I had walked past for months without realizing it. I learned more about the health of my forest than in all of the months leading up to the visit, combined. It was the greatest test of my knowledge of my land up to that point. The forestry team’s visit equipped me with the tools I needed to have other experts out to assess specific aspects of my forest and be ready to ask the best questions for my specific ecosystem.”

“Finally, the NTFP and Forest Management plan they created for me, afterward, has been a constant reference for me from the day I received it,” Brown continued. “Between it and the visit, I’ve done remediation work and been inspired to develop several new products for my farm. I can’t speak highly enough about Rural Action’s Sustainable Forestry Program.”

During the site visit, landowners will have the opportunity to show their property to Rural Action staff, discuss goals and challenges and identify opportunities for sustainable forest management, wildlife habitat and invasive species removal. In addition to the site visit, landowners will receive literature outlining details from the visit, along with next steps.

According to officials, this type of planning assistance can help landowners better understand their existing forest and water assets, identify new management opportunities or expand an existing enterprise. Anyone who is interested in technical assistance from Forestry or Watersheds can complete an intake survey, providing details to help serve you.

For information regarding forestry, contact Andrea Miller at andrea@ruralaction.org.

For information about watersheds, contact Ryan Gilliom at ryan@ruralaction.org. Site visits are conducted from late April through early October. There is no minimum acreage to qualify for a visit.

To learn about Rural Action, visit ruralaction.org.