Family Forest Carbon Program (EFFICACI)

The Family Forest Carbon Program pays private woodland owners to carry out forest management practices that lead to healthier, older forests that store more carbon. It was developed by the American Forest Foundation and The Nature Conservancy and is run by the Family Forest Impact Foundation, an American Forest Foundation affiliate. Enrolled landowners get guaranteed annual payments over a 20-year agreement, a forest management plan, and guidance from a professional forester.

A Premium Partnership option, funded by USDA's Advancing Markets for Producers grant program, offers a total contract value 35% higher than the standard offer in return for extra USDA paperwork.

• Own 30 acres or more of non-planted, naturally regenerating forest. The 30 acres must be fully forested and privately owned.

• Have the legal right to harvest on the land.

• Be able to commit to a 20-year agreement.

• Land in one of the program's 20 states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Western Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Western North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Western South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia, Western Virginia and Wisconsin.

• Forest made up mainly of hardwood species such as maple, beech and birch.

• The enrolled land cannot be in another forest carbon program.

• Premium Partnership only: set up a Farm Record with your local Farm Service Agency office for the whole enrolled forest (Forms AD-1026 and 2047) and send the program an FSA Producer Subsidiary Print each year.

Enrolled landowners receive guaranteed annual payments over the 20-year commitment, usable for any expense such as property taxes. Payment rates depend on the practice your land matches and are shown in your property report. The Premium Partnership offers a total contract value 35% higher than the standard offer.

Landowners keep ownership, privacy and recreational use of their land, and keep timber and mineral rights. The agreement follows the land if it is sold or passed on. Landowners can cancel at any time; voluntary early termination may carry financial penalties, but losses from natural disasters are not penalized.

Enrollment is ongoing. Start with the program's online mapping tool: select your property, answer a few questions, and get a property report showing the practices your land may qualify for and their payment rates. Eligible landowners then schedule a call with the program team, receive a formal offer, and sign a Landowner Participation Agreement. There is no obligation to enroll.

Questions: (844) 790-0045 or info@familyforestimpact.org.