Arkansas Hardwood Reforestation Program

This program cost-shares site preparation, hardwood planting and removal of standing dead pine for landowners converting struggling pine plantations to hardwood forest. Much of Southeast Arkansas pine has been hit by brown spot needle blight. Landowners in Ashley, Chicot, Desha, Drew and Lincoln counties get priority, but others can apply; payment follows completion and a Department forester's inspection.

• Property currently or recently forested with pine

• Priority: Ashley, Chicot, Desha, Drew and Lincoln counties (others eligible, ranked after the deadline)

• Develop a long-term management plan with a Registered Forester within 3 months after approval; plan approved by the Department

• Allow Department monitoring of reforestation

Reimbursement after approved practices are completed and inspected; $100,000 per landowner per state fiscal year.

Published amounts: Each landowner is limited to $100,000 in cost share payments per state fiscal year. Example rates: heavy ripping site prep $131.19/acre, bandspraying site prep $31.66/acre, plant bareroot seedlings $205.70/acre (40-acre example = $14,742). 2026 round: $2,000,000 available.

Submit the application to Alexsis.Mondragon@arkansas.gov by the deadline; target-area applications are considered immediately, others ranked after the deadline by a scoring system. The Department can help complete applications (Alexsis Mondragon, 870-331-0888).

Deadline text on the page: The 2026 deadline for applications is August 28th. (Page body also still says 'before the 2026 deadline, August 14' — superseded by the extension.)