Tree Planting for Farmers & Landowners in the Midwest U.S.

Working landowners and especially farmers know that time is one of the most precious resources that anyone can have. Green Future’s carbon offset projects are conducted in such a way as to minimize the need for direct landowner involvement. After determining which plots of land the landowner would like to have planted, we identify the optimal species composition, site preparation, and planting schedule. We keep the landowner in the loop; however, once the decision has been made to proceed with a project, we take care of everything else regarding the execution of the project. 

We certainly welcome landowner involvement in the project and will accommodate any concerns that you may have, but you can trust that we will ensure that your tree planting project is conducted professionally without being a burden on time or landowner resources. 

The steps of our process are as follows:

The Five Steps of a Carbon Offset Project

1) Partnership between Green Future and Businesses & Individuals on Carbon Offset

The core of our business is providing carbon offset solutions for business and for individuals and then achieving those carbon offsets through planting projects. Green Future secures funding for carbon offset projects by reaching out to those who wish to reduce or eliminate the damage that they are causing to the environment and the global climate through carbon emissions. 

2) Establishment of Relationship with Landowners & Farmers

Part of our mission is to support the rural U.S. economy by providing added value through tree planting for farmers & landowners. This value comes not only through the stand of trees on what was previously unused or marginal farmland, but also through improvements to wildlife habitat, reduction of agricultural runoff, and mitigation of erosion. We are a farmer-owned business that places a great deal of importance on good and honorable relationships with farmers & landowners, as well as with our carbon offset partners. 

We reach out to farmers & landowners and receive contact inquiries from those who would like to see a tree planting project happen on their land. We then evaluate the potential of the land in question and propose a tree-planting/carbon offset project. Once all parties are happy with the details of the proposed project, we enter into an agreement with the landowner. This agreement details the planting project and any restrictions on forest management practices.

Since carbon offset is our mission, we must ensure that the trees planted will not be mown over, burned, or prematurely cut down. This does NOT mean that you can never harvest trees, just that there are some good management practices that will need to be established to ensure the new forest remains healthy and sustainable and that carbon that has been captured is not released.  

3) Project Planning

Once the size of the planting effort has been determined, the detailed planning of the planting project can begin. Tree planting is guided by the seasons, and in the Midwest U.S., the best time to plant trees is in the fall. Since we cannot plant trees all year long, Green Future aggregates contributions from offset partners and landowner planting agreements into large seasonal carbon offset projects. For these large projects, we plan the following:

• Tree Species Selection – According to the local climate and ecosystem and landowner wishes, we choose which types of trees would be best suited for the land. We do NOT plant monocultures and emulation of a natural forest is at the forefront of our planning.
• Site Preparation Requirements – We handle all site preparation necessary for the project and plan it out during this stage, working with landowners to allow for land access as described below.
• Timing – We know you are busy. We work with landowners and other stakeholders to ensure that site preparation and planting occurs when it is good for both the trees and for the landowner. 
• Land Access – Your planting project could require that we travel through an active pasture, use private access roads, or make our way on foot through your favorite woods. Therefore, we detail any potential land access issues and work these out ahead of time. We will NOT show up on your land uninvited. Additionally, some projects require heavy machinery that could cause some minor aesthetic damage to some surfaces on the way to and from a project. We are completely transparent about this and take steps to mitigate this, as well as obtaining permission for exactly which path we should take to access a planting area. 
• Landowner Wishes – It is your land, make it your paradise. Many landowners have custom requests for their planting project. Perhaps you would like a 20-acre pasture planted in trees, but would like to leave a 3-acre meadow in the center for a potential future home site, or perhaps you would like us to leave an access road going through the middle of your new forest plot. We absolutely can accommodate these wishes, we just need to plan for it ahead of time. Edges to all planted sections will be clearly marked with flags so you can maintain the edges without damaging the trees. The landowner or a representative is always welcome to be present during site preparation and planting operations, as long as safety concerns are addressed (especially regarding proximity to heavy equipment in operation). 

4) Project Execution

After a solid plan is in place, we just need to follow the plan and get your trees in the ground. Our site preparation and planting crews will do their jobs during a prearranged time window and according to the proposal that Green Future will have developed with the landowner. Planted areas will be clearly marked to prevent accidental mowing or crushing of trees with equipment.

We highly recommend that you supplement initial markings (small stakes and flags) with more substantial painted metal stakes when necessary. Especially in the Midwest, it can take hardwood species several years to grow to a size that allows them to be clearly distinguishable from natural grasses and woody plants when viewed from the cab of a tractor. Clear marking of the forestry plot will protect your valuable trees and wildlife habitat from damage.

5) Initial Reporting & Long-term Monitoring

After the planting project is complete, Green Future generates documentation on the project and will provide a copy of the project report, all signed agreements, and any other relevant information to both the landowner and the businesses and individuals who are offsetting their carbon emissions with the project. 

Over the long-term, Green Future monitors the forestry project to judge the health of the trees, estimate effectiveness (percentage survival, growth rate, and more). For the most part, this monitoring will be done from afar using aerial and satellite imagery. Every one to two years, at the convenience and with the permission of the landowner, we would like to get our boots dirty and walk through the forestry plot to get an accurate measure of the health of your stand.

We will NEVER show up on your land without actively contacting you and receiving permission ahead of time. This monitoring will allow us to report back on successful offset projects, identify any necessary process improvements, and to determine if we need to re-plant any areas of your forest plot. 

If you are a landowner who is interested in having trees planted on your land as part of a carbon offset project, please Click Here to submit your information and a representative will be in contact with you. 

If you are a business owner or representative who would like information about carbon offset projects for businesses Click Here.

If you wish to offset your own personal carbon emissions, please Click Here. 

Global Reforestation Potential: Carbon Offset for Landowners