Usually, when we think of Ag Exemptions for forested lands in Florida, we think of planted pines. Did you know that you might be able to claim an Ag Exemption for your naturally forested Florida land?
I enrolled some agricultural property in the Florida Forest Stewardship Program this year. It was easy to maintain the Ag Exemption (the State calls it Greenbelt Property Tax Guidelines for Silviculture) on my property because it is a Planted Forest.
To qualify for the Ag Exemption, your planted forest must meet the following criteria:
- The forest produces raw materials which have a monetary value
- The site was prepared for planting.
- Seeds or seedlings were planted.
- There may be additional management such as weed control, fertilizing, mowing or controlled burning, etc.
It is easy to demonstrate that property comprised of a planted forest is being used for silviculture because there will be obvious evidence of all four of those guidelines. However, if you own naturally forested land, it may not be so obvious.
The silviculture qualifications for naturally forested lands are similar to planted forests:
- The forest produces raw materials which have a monetary value.
- The forest was planted by natural seeding or coppicing.
- There may be very little or no additional management (weed control etc).
- Participation in industry related programs such as:
- The Florida Forest Stewardship Program
- The Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- American Tree Farm System
- Other factors which are unique to naturally forested properties are:
- Whether or not the property is under a "forest management plan".
- The size of the property.
- The type, size and marketability of the timber on the property.
Your County Forester can help you get enrolled in the Stewardship Program. In some cases, matching funds are available for controlled burns and/or southern pine beetle control, etc. Even if you don't take advantage of those programs, you can save yourself a few bucks by getting or maintaining your agricultural exemption.
Source: The Florida Forest Steward, Volume 15, No. 1 Summer 1008.
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