Sustainable Forest & Land Retention
McIntosh S.E.E.D.
Transforming Communities By Transforming Lives
McIntosh SEED’s rural community development work begins with engagement, education and empowerment of community members. When scaffolded with opportunities for economic development that is locally-owned and locally controlled, along with infrastructure improvements, communities are becoming more resilient and self-sustaining.
Sustainable Forest & Land Retention
McIntosh SEED, based in Darien, has received a grant from the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities to implement the Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention (SFLR) program. This program is an effort to promote forest health and productivity and to help stem the loss of small acreage-owned rural land.
The SFLR program was launched in 2012 as an effort to aid small acreage landowners in turning their forested properties into economic assets. The program capitalizes on innovative partnerships between local, state, and federal organizations to assist landowners in this process. SFLR provides a variety of support to these landowners, including access to legal assistance and opportunities for sustainable forestry. The program supports seven project sites across seven states and more than 1,300 landowners. The participants own a combined 8,300 acres, ensuring land assets remain held by historical landowners.
The US Forest Service and the Natural Resource Conservation Service partnered with the U.S. Endowment on this new forest management program. The SFLR program invested in McIntosh SEED to help restore and secure ownership of threatened African American-owned forest land and to improve the value and productivity of such land through sustainable forestry practices.
Goal: Create an enduring system of support for small acreage forest owners that significantly increases the profitability and value of small-acreage forests and promote forest retention.
Landowner Testimonials
Doug Deveaux
Mr. Doug Deveoux enrolled in the Sustainable Forest and African American Land Retention program in 2021. McIntosh SEED coordinated a site visit with a local Forester from the Georgia Forestry Commission to discuss Mr. Deveoux’s goals for his property and to develop a forest management plan. Mr. Deveoux has also applied for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program where he would be reimbursed for his conservation practices that he will implement on his property to maintain wildlife, have green houses and raise cattle.
Lloyd Byrd
Lloyd Byrd speaks on how McIntosh SEED was able to help him in resolving some heir’s property issues on his 3-acre property that has been in his family for generations. He accredits McIntosh SEED with introducing him to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and to resources that were provided by the National Resources Conservation Services through the EQIP Program. He was able to improve his land by using the funds provided by the program towards soil conservation, improving his water and irrigation system, setting up cross fencing and other best practices to improve the land as well as the goats he breeds on the property.
Terry Easley
Mr. Terry Easley is a retired Army Veteran who connected with McIntosh SEED in 2020 through Mrs. Gloria Lucas. He owns two tracts of land that totals to about 215 acres. He was awarded funds through the Natural Resources Conservation Services in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program for his 50-acre tract in Laurens County, Georgia. In following his management plan designed by NRCS foresters, Mr. Easley has had the 50-acre tract drum-chopped, sprayed with herbicide and will have a controlled burn next fall. This is all to prepare his land for an efficient and healthy harvest! He is now in a position to implement those best practices in his 125-acre property in Jeff Davis County as well!
Junetta O'neal
Junetta O’Neal was introduced to McIntosh SEED by fellow landowner Handy Kennedy in 2021. Ms. O’Neal has received a 2-year management plan for her property in Crawfordville, Georgia and has applied for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program through the National Resource Conservation Services.
McIntosh S.E.E.D. Landowner Handbook
This handbook contains information and resources for landowners, organizations, or individuals interested in increasing knowledge concerning land management and sustainability. It is also a workbook designed to help you organize your affairs as they relate to your family landholdings.
Matilda Riles and Herman Baker are land owners and tree farmers who have worked with McIntosh S.E.E.D. They speak on the impact that McIntosh S.E.E.D. has had in their community.
McIntosh SEED, DS Smith and the Georgia Forestry Association partnered to sponsor 4 landowners’ attendance at the 2022 Annual Georgia Forestry Association Conference, which was held on Jekyll Island. The conference included state-wide officials, organizations, and businesses in the forest industry. Educational sessions featured regional, state and national perspectives on timber, housing, and carbon markets, along with current and future implications for Georgia landowners, loggers, and mills.
Photo L to R: Landowners Lloyd Byrd, Steve Fowler (DS Smith), Janice Smith, Herman Baker, Chad Smith.
McIntosh SEED – Supply List Video
McIntosh SEED – No Trespass Video
McIntosh SEED – Marking Property Lines Video
McIntosh SEED – Learn and Burn Event Video
