| PROJECT SUMMARY |
| Christmas Tree production by 2,400 growers in a 30-county Appalachian region of VA and NC has increased in acreage and importance over the last decade, out-pacing tobacco as the most important crop. One of the major limitations to profitable expansion is lack of knowledge and understanding of legal, financial, and production risk of long-term leasing agreements. Christmas tree growers require extensive and flexible lease agreements that normally extend for 10 years. The project will develop 2 extension publications supplemented with an on-line multimedia tutorial explaining 1) legal issues surrounding the methods used to develop flexible long-term leases and 2) how to develop fair rental rates based on establishment of a negotiation range using a multi-year budget to detail both landlords’ and tenants’ fixed and variable costs. A series of 10 workshops will be conducted in the region to deliver the information directly to the targeted audience of farmers and landlords. |
| NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: N/A |
| TOPICS COVERED |
| Capital and financial assets |
| Tools for managing legal liability |
| Leases, contracts and negotiation |
| Business and strategic planning |
| Interpersonal, family and business relationships |
