You value your forest and/or farmland for multiple reasons including wildlife, privacy, recreation, timber, hunting or the scenic qualities. Are you prepared to pass the environmental and heirloom values rooted in your forest to the next generation? Without breaking it up? While there is a price to planning an orderly transfer of land to the next generation, there is also a cost of not planning that may put your land’s future in jeopardy. If you don’t have a plan, your wishes for your land and legacy will be lost. By researching and planning ahead of time, you can ensure your wishes are met and minimize the financial costs and emotional challenges while securing your woodland legacy for generations to come.The program “Focusing on Forestland Transfer to Generation ‘Next’” is being offered August 22 and 29 from 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Radford at the SELU Conservancy. Participants should attend both dates. Dinner will be included along with reading and workshop materials. A registration fee of $70 covers up to two participants from the same family.
“Land may be your biggest asset,” said Andrew Fotinos, land conservation specialist with the Virginia Department of Forestry. “Make sure your actions support the family’s values. This award-winning and nationally recognized program will get you started on the right path. Please join us for a hands-on workshop with free legal guidance from professionals experienced in intergenerational land transfer and landowner testimonials of estate planning steps and strategies they have used.”Speakers at the workshop include legal and financial experts experienced in estate planning as well as natural resource professionals who work with landowners to conserve land and plan the future. To register online, visit http://forestupdate.frec.vt.edu and click the “Online Registration” tab at the top of the page. The deadline to register is August 8. For more information, contact Jennifer Gagnon at (540)231-6391 or jgagnon@vt.edu. Persons with disabilities who desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity may also contact Gagnon during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations, no later than August 8. *TDD number is (800) 828-1120.The workshop receives financial support from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
