Landowners in North Carolina interested in the Forest Development Program (FDP) can now apply for cost share reimbursement funding. The program, managed by the N.C. Forest Service (NCFS), supports landowners in implementing forest stand improvement, site preparation, and tree-planting practices. Applications should be submitted to local NCFS county ranger offices for initial review before being sent to NCFS Headquarters.
The enrollment periods for the FDP are divided into two segments: the “Base Fund” and “Mountain Fund” applications open from March 1 to May 30, 2025, while the “Plant-Only Fund” applications are accepted from September 1 to October 31, 2025. All applications must reach NCFS Headquarters by the closing date of each period.
“The number of FDP cost share funding requests continues to be significantly greater than available funding,” noted an NCFS representative. A random-draw lottery system will determine which applications receive funding due to this high demand. The expected funding allocations include $400,000 from the “Mountain Fund,” $1.6 million from the “Base Fund,” and $800,000 statewide from the “Plant-Only” Fund.
Landowners can receive up to $10,000 per fiscal year through this program but may not always receive the full amount if projects come in under budget. Established in 1977, the FDP is funded through an assessment on primary forest products and state appropriations provided by the North Carolina Legislature. This collaboration between forest industry stakeholders and private woodland owners leads to significant improvements and planting across thousands of acres annually.
For more information or to find contact details for your local NCFS county ranger’s office, visit N.C. Forest Service – Contacts | NC Agriculture.
