The American Landowner

On this episode, Robert Dudley interviews Ben Miles and Rex Linville from The Land Trust Alliance. The Land Trust Alliance represents 950 member organizations across the country that work to conserve land through tools like conservation easements. Conservation easements are voluntary, legally binding agreements between landowners and land trusts that restrict the use of the land to protect its con...

This episode covers forest certification programs in Alabama, including the Treasure Forest, Stewardship, and Tree Farm programs. Greg Brewer, a stewardship forester with the  Alabama Forestry Commission , explains the benefits of these programs for private landowners, such as potential timber price premiums, faster access to loggers, and recognition for good land stewardship. The programs provide...

In this episode, Ryan Holm from Nelson Paint discusses the importance of maintaining clear boundary lines for landowners. Nelson Paint has been the industry standard for timber and boundary marking paint since 1940. Ryan shares the history of the family-owned business and the evolution of their products, including specialized paints like tracer paint to protect against timber theft. He emphasizes...

In this episode, Robert Dudley welcomes Dr. Grant Woods, a renowned wildlife biologist, to discuss the transformative power of regenerative agriculture in creating thriving ecosystems for hunters and improving land stewardship. Dr. Woods shares his extensive experience in wildlife and habitat improvement, emphasizing the importance of soil health and biodiversity in enhancing both agricultural pro...

In this episode, host Robert Dudley speaks with Will Harris of White Oak Pastures , kicking off the "Legends of Land" series. Harris shares his journey from traditional industrial farming to sustainable practices, highlighting the importance of adaptability and lifelong learning. They discuss his innovative approaches like rotational grazing, diverse crop planting, and direct sales infrastructure,...

On this episode, Robert Dudley interviews Dana Spessert. Dana is the chief inspector of the  National Hardwood Lumber Association  (NHLA). He grew up in the hardwood industry in West Virginia, working in sawmills from a young age. He discusses the unique challenges of hardwood forestry compared to softwoods, including the longer growth cycles, diverse species, and need for selective harvesting. Ha...

This episode discusses how to properly value and price land when selling. Guest Ben Maddox of  Acres.com  explains the importance of doing thorough market research, using local experts, and avoiding emotional pricing. He cautions against overpricing, which can turn off potential buyers. Maddox also highlights how  Acres.com  uses data and technology to help land professionals and owners research p...

On this episode, we discuss the rise of agricultural drones in the US economy with guests Matt Castro and Travis Biggs from  Terraplex . Terraplex started as Iowa Aerial Applicators and has evolved to provide drone sales, service, training, and compliance support for farmers. Agricultural drones have become much more capable in recent years, allowing for more efficient and precise spraying of crop...

This episode discusses the potential benefits and considerations for landowners when leasing their land for solar farm development. Guest Craig Kaiser of Landgate.com provides his expertise, having backgrounds in geology, natural resources, and energy. Landgate aims to empower landowners by providing data and insights on the energy and resource potential of their properties, including for solar, w...

This episode discusses the benefits of a 721 exchange for farmland owners. Ethan Branscum of the Sower Legacy Farmland Fund explains how a 721 exchange allows landowners to defer capital gains taxes by exchanging their farmland for units in a partnership. This provides more flexibility in managing the asset, especially for estate planning and succession purposes. The podcast covers the differences...

On this episode of The American Landowner Robert Dudley talks with Vince Barfield of  Barfield Auctions , an experienced auctioneer. Robert and Mr. Barfield discuss the benefits of the auction method for selling land and real estate. Mr. Barfield shares his background in the auction business, starting from his childhood experiences with his grandfather. He explains how the auction process works, i...

On this episode of The American Landowner Robert interviews Tom Skaggs of Outdoor Underwriters on the intricacies and options of land insurance as well as the risks and liabilities of not being properly covered. Outdoor Underwriters offers customized liability insurance for landowners, including hunting lease and timberland liability coverage. Liability insurance is crucial to protect landowners f...

Today's episode of the American Landowner podcast featured an interview with Zack Parisa , founder and CEO of NCX.com . NCX offers a platform for landowners to explore alternative revenue streams for their land while also protecting nature. Parisa discusses how landowners can be compensated through programs for carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat protection, regenerative agriculture practices,...

Today's episode features Dr. Brooks Mendell with Forisk Consulting discussing lessons that can be learned from institutional landowners. Dr. Mendell explains the different types of institutional owners like REITs, TIMOs, and pension funds. He discusses how they invest large amounts of acreage and focus on long-term wealth preservation through diversification and steady cash flows. Dr. Mendell also...

This episode of The American Landowner podcast features Dr. Paul Jeffreys from ArborGen Seedlings . Dr. Jeffreys discusses the importance of selecting the proper pine tree seedlings for reforestation projects. He talks about factors like climate, soil type, and intended use. Dr. Jeffreys also explains how improved genetics have led to faster growth while maintaining wood quality. Landowners learn...

This episode discusses tax code section 180 and how it can benefit landowners through soil nutrient deductions. Expert Bruce Eberle from  BoaSafraAg.com  explains how section 180 allows landowners to deduct the value of soil nutrients on their property, making it a tax-smart way to recover costs. Landowners can see deductions of $1,600 per acre or more by working with Boa Safra Ag to conduct soil...