Hunter Dickinson, Forester
Oscoda & Ogemaw Conservation District
989-826-8824
Oscodacd@gmail.com
In Michigan, a program called the Qualified Forest Program (QFP) can help landowners reduce taxes and local school operating millages. In most areas, this is a maximum reduction of 18 mills.
To qualify for enrollment, your property must be a minimum of 20 acres in size. Parcels that are 20-39.9 acres must be no less than 80% stocked with productive forest, while parcels 40 acres or more must be no less than 50% stocked with productive forest. The other requirement for QFP is to have a Forest Management Plan (FMP). These plans outline management activities the landowner performs on their property over the course of several years. These management activities can include things like a harvest, management of invasive species, and more. These plans are written and prepared by a qualified FMP writer. In most cases, funding is available to pay for most or all the cost of an FMP through Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS programs are also great for other activities such as fruit tree, wildlife shrub, deciduous and conifer tree planting, trail planning, invasive species management, and much more.
There is a fee to participate in QFP, which is equivalent to 2 mills of the taxable value of the land that is collected annually. This fee is put into a fund to assist program operations, and to provide more forestry-related assistance to landowners.
Buildings and structures such as cottages are allowed on QFP properties, but they are not eligible for exemption. If your property is already a homestead property, it is not eligible to participate in QFP.
Even though QFP provides a tax exemption from the School Operation Tax, it does not harm local school funding. School funding In Michigan is based on a per-pupil basis and will always ensure the per-pupil amount is met at the state level.
For more information as well as details on how to apply, please visit Michigan.gov/QFP or feel free to contact your local Conservation District Forester, Hunter Dickinson.
