The Georgia Department of Agriculture will accept online applications for the $347 million in block grant funds beginning March 18, 2020. Georgia farmers and forest landowners in 95 eligible counties, who suffered losses to beef, dairy, fruit and vegetable, pecan, poultry, timber, and uninsured infrastructure can enroll. The federal block grants seek to help recover losses not covered under existing USDA Farm Service Agency programs. Only online applications will be accepted. All applications must be completed and submitted by April 8, 2020.

Homeowners often wonder about the value of their trees when removals appear necessary or when a tree has suffered damage at the hands of a contractor, neighbor, or storm.

These guidelines are intended to set the standards for judging whether or not landowners have accomplished sufficient stewardship management of their forest resources to warrant their designation as a “Forest Steward” and their property certified as a Stewardship Forest by Georgia’s Forest Stewardship Program.