Yanshu Li, Robert L. Izlar, and Benjamin L. Campbell
May 20, 2021

https://www.warnell.uga.edu/sites/default/files/publications/WSFNR-21-37C_Li.pdf

Thanks to a recent law change, forest landowners in Georgia now have another option to consider when it is time to conduct their property tax planning. The change was brought by House Resolution 51 and its enabling legislation (House Bill 85) passed in 2018. A new class of real property–Qualified Timberland Property (QTP)–was created for ad valorem tax purposes. Qualifying forest landowners can start an application beginning in tax year 2020. An unusual feature of this law is that it vests the appraisal of QTP properties with the state and not the county. This would improve uniformity of timberland valuation for ad valorem tax purposes in Georgia.

In September 2020, the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation Farm Monitor interviewed UGA Harley Langdale, Jr. Center for Forest Business Director Bob Izlar on the various property tax incentives for Georgia property owners. This interview is based on Langdale Center Research Note # 3, Property Tax Incentives for the Georgia Landowner, 7^th Edition, 2020.

The Langdale Center for Forest Business has released its 2020 Revision of the ever popular Langdale Center for Forest Business Research Note Number 3, Property Tax Incentives for the Georgia Landowner, which was first published in 1993.  This 192-page book is a review of all the ad valorem tax incentives offered by the State of Georgia to Georgia Landowners including Agricultural Preferential, Conservation Use Valuation (CUVA), Timber Tax calculations and payments, the Forest Land Protection Act (FLPA) and the new Qualified Timber Property (QTP) tax class. 

The book continues with the popular format of a summary of each section followed by pertinent Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) sections and major court cases.

Recently, a group of Langdale CFB students traveled to Atlanta to attend Georgia Forestry Association’s “Forestry Day at the Capitol.” Governor Kemp and industry leaders from around the state gathered to discuss property taxes, market conditions, land use, and regulatory issues.

Among many of the issues discussed were the challenges faced by logging operators. Dr. Joe Conrad, Warnell’s professor of Forest Operations, was asked to speak addressing the challenges faced by trucking and logging companies. Dr. Conrad’s address focused the inconsistencies in weight limits for trucks on interstate and state roads. This forces log trucks to avoid interstates; therefore, they predominately use state roads which are more dangerous and less efficient. These issues have become increasingly important as strained markets have limited efficiency and returns.

In addition to GFA’s speakers and luncheon, Langdale Center students were able to sit in on a subcommittee meeting, network extensively, and hear keynote speaker Governor Kemp at the legislative reception.

May 2019 Graduates:

Company, Position, Location

Georgia-Pacific, Procurement Forester, Milledgeville, GA

FORISK Consulting, Industry Analyst, Athens, GA

BTG Forestry Services, Valuation Analyst, Atlanta, GA

Carter and Carter Forest Management, LLC, Jesup, GA

Salm Schulenburg, LLC, Manager of Operation, Atlanta, GA

Returning Graduate Students:

Company, Position, Location

Rayonier Inc., Business Development Intern, Yulee, FL

Domain Capital Group, LLC., Summer Analyst, Atlanta, GA

Campbell Global, Forest Business Intern, Portland, OR

FORISK Consulting, Forest Finance Intern, Athens, GA

Georgia- Pacific, Procurement Forester Intern, Brookneal, VA

Hancock Natural Resource Group, Economic Research Intern, Boston, MA

Georgia Forestry Association, Economics and Policy Intern, Forsyth, GA

Conservation Forestry, LLC., Summer Analyst, Exeter, NH

Forisk has acquired the Wood Demand Research Program from the Harley Langdale, Jr. Center for Forest Business.  Find the full release attached below.

Forisk Acquires WDRP

Andrew Mathis, a soon-to-be MFR Forest Business graduate, recently completed a study on Wood Pellet Markets titled, “Assessment and Outlook for Global Industrial Wood Pellet Markets and the Implications of Evolving Subsidy Schemes for Commercial Southern Yellow Pine Forestry in the US South.”  Andrew has previously worked two summers as a Procurement and Sustainability Forester Intern at Georgia Biomass, LLC and recently accepted a Procurement Forester position at Georgia Pacific, LLC.  To read Andrew’s full report please see attachment below.

Pellet Market – Andrew Mathis Spring 2018

May 2018 Graduates:

Company, Position, Location

International Paper, Fiber Supply Associate, Georgetown, SC

Hancock Natural Resource Group, Natural Resource Economist, Boston, MA

Georgia-Pacific, Piedmont Region Analyst, Warm Springs, GA

Domain Capital Group, LLC, Portfolio Analyst Intern, Atlanta, GA

Returning Students (Internships):

Company, Position, Location

Georgia-Pacific, Procurement Forester Intern, Madison/Warrenton, GA

Georgia Biomass, LLC, Sustainability and Procurement Inter, Waycross, GA

Georgia-Pacific, Fiber Procurement Intern, Cedar Springs, GA

BTG Pactual, Timberland Investment Intern, Atlanta, GA

International Paper, Fiber Supply Intern, Augusta, GA

Rayonier, Land Asset Management Intern, Yulee, FL

Hubbard Family Office, Principal, Marietta, GA

Molpus Woodlands Group, Summer Analyst, Jackson, MS

Domain Capital Group, LLC, Portfolio Analyst Intern, Atlanta, GA