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Although most of our services are designed for private landowners, we encourage and welcome all residents to help in local projects and workshops or donate what they can to create a healthy native ecosystem. Learn more

Alger Conservation District can help with all forest-related questions and assessments. Sara Kelso, our district forester, is here for you! Meet Sara, see her services, and contact her

Alger Conservation District helps farmers like you connect with programs like the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NCRS). Misa Cody, the district conservationist, will help guide farmers and landowners in Alger County to resources that will help. Meet Misa, see her services, and contact her 

 Technical assistance is always free and confidential from Produce Safety Technicians. The only time payment for service is required from the MIOFPS program is enrollment fees for Grower Trainings and Supervisor Trainings.  

Who is the Produce Safety Technician in Alger County? Meet Landen Tetil

 If you are a farm that does any: growing, harvesting, packing, or holding, of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, or mushrooms, produce safety applies to you! The Produce Safety Rule provides federal requirements for these practices, and a Produce Safety Technician can help you ensure you are meeting these standards. 

The program provides funding on a flat per-acre rate. For those looking to mow tag alder, the current rate for 2023 is $490.48 per acre. This rate changes to $558.58 if you qualify for the Historically Underserved status. For those looking for funding on timber harvesting, the funding rate is $64.32, or $77.19 for HU status. To get a full picture of the available funding, it is best to talk with American Bird Conservancy staff.

A Qualified Forester is a forester registered with MDARD who meets at least one of the following requirements: 

1) is a forester certified by the Society of American Foresters

2) is a Forest Stewardship Plan Writer

3) is a Technical Service Provider as registered by the USDA for Forest

Management Plan Development 

4) is a Registered Forester and/or 

5) is a member of the Association of Consulting Foresters. 

MDARD provides a list of Qualified Foresters by county which is available at www.michigan.gov/qfp.

Meet Alger County's Qualified Forester, Sara Kelso

• the name and address of each owner of the property.
• the legal description and parcel identification number of each tax parcel of the parcel being enrolled.
• a statement of the owner’s forest management objectives.
• a map, diagram, or aerial photograph that identifies both forested and non-forested areas of the property that includes the location of any buildings.
• a description of forest practices that will be undertaken which specifies the approximate period before each is completed.
• a description of soil conservation practices; and a description of activities undertaken for the management of forest resources other than trees. A more detailed listing of the required components of the forest management plan can be found at www.michigan.gov/qfp. Please note that a forest management plan must not exceed 20 years in length.

There are two ways the Qualified Forest Program may reduce your property taxes.

(a) When you execute a Qualified Forest School Tax Affidavit (QFSTA) it exempts you from paying certain local school operating millage. Typically, you would be exempt from 18 mills of school operation tax, although that amount may be less depending on the school districts within your community.

(b) You may also execute a Qualified Forest Taxable Value Affidavit (QFTVA) if you are purchasing forested land that is already enrolled in the program. If you are a new purchaser and execute a QFTVA, your taxable value would remain capped at the level of the previous owner.