what to do with 40 slopping acres

[MacLawn]

I guess slopping acres would be a good hog farm. You'd be slopping hogs on slopping acres!:laughing:

Sorry, but got a good laugh out of meself!

 

[smstonypoint]

Forestry has been mentioned.

That alternative has minimal labor and equipment requirements and offers the opportunity to obtain lower property taxes.

It looks like Colorado requires a minimum of 40 acres, 10% of land covered by forest trees, and a management plan to qualify for the tax break (Colorado Property Taxes as Financial Incentive Programs for Non-industrial Private Forest Owners).

I don't know about Colorado, but the county rangers of the NC Forest Service prepare forest management plans free of charge.

You should check with your county's tax assessment office as to whether the exclusion of your homestead acreage would allow you to meet the minimum acreage requirement.

Steve

 

[nybirdman]

How about grapes?Apple orchard?I wouldn't mess with live animals(even tho I do).

 

[clemsonfor]

is this open or timber land that will make a difference. Most areas you can "tree farm" i know the feds allow it as n IRS deduction. You wont make out on cattle after building a fence. And NO you cant let cows run wild, not on 40 acres, and you dont want them around your house. they will poop all over your yard eat your garden and flowers, bushes trees etc. They will rub themselves on your porch railings, knocking them over, rub on your house side busting up the siding etc. That would be a disaster!!!! IF you get cows you have to fence.

 

[rekees4300]

You describe the parcel as "slopping". What does that mean? Is it a marsh, swamp or in a flood plain? If it is then honestly just sell it, cut your loses, and go to Plan B. Never underestimate the power of water. If the land is wet all the time then you guys are gong to be miserable trying to adapt.

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[MacLawn]

You describe the parcel as "slopping". What does that mean? Is it a marsh, swamp or in a flood plain? If it is then honestly just sell it, cut your loses, and go to Plan B. Never underestimate the power of water. If the land is wet all the time then you guys are gong to be miserable trying to adapt.

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You know, rek, I was just jesting above, but maybe they really did mean slopping, as in wet all the time. You're right, if that's the case, if the local EPA or whatever does that would allow, a pond would be great there.

 

[clemsonfor]

If its slopping acres adn not slopeing acres then pond raising catfish. I took it as a misspelling?

 

[SPIKER]

You COULD start at the top with a BIG Bulldozer and PUSH until it is LEVEL

I also suggest trees like above alternate pines & hardwoods..
mark

 

[MacLawn]

Hopefully she'll post back and let us know. If sloping, orchards, vineyards as someone mentioned. Cattle, goats, etc. I know a retired couple who raises goats and they told me they are all sold before they are even born! Need dog, donkey or something to keep yotes off.

 

[brin]

Timber farm!
Row of pines.
Row of mixed hardwoods.
Row of pines.
Row of mixed hardwoods.
Repeat.
The pines grow fast and like a pyrimid shape. It puts stress on the mixed hardwoods, which makes them grow tall and straight, perfect for veneer timber.
Basically, you plant them, mow between the rows twice a year to keep weed competition down, and after 5 or 6 years you don't have to mow anymore because the pines will fill in and keep the weeds down.
Its low maintenance, qualifies as AG, and can qualify for state reimbusement for errosion control programs, conservation reserve, classified forest, classified wildlife habitat, etc....
You won't see any profit from it, but your kids or grandkids might.
We planted ours around 1980. The tress are topping 40-50 feet and the hardwoods are finally topping out over the pines.
Fun to watch the passage of time with the growth of trees.

I agree with Moss...plant some pines...they are inexpensive to plant they go in as tiny bare root seedlings and there are outfits that do in a day...for that many acres...then you are done...no worry and you are now agricultural and you get to watch the trees grow...and you mix in the hardwoods like Moss said...that is what I would do if you want to enjoy retirement...anything else requires work...work... Good Luck to you and your Hubby...