Jackson County hears OSU Extension update on Land Steward program

Eugene Weir, Land Steward program coordinator with the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center at OSU Extension, told the Jackson County Board of Commissioners on April 7 that the program helps private landowners develop property management plans and access agency resources.

"The land steward program at SOWREC is designed to help private landowners understand and manage their lands for a wide variety of values and outcomes," Weir said, outlining classes and mentoring that cover fire preparedness, forest management, wildlife habitat, water and soil management, and small‑farm economics.

Weir described an 11‑week field training that restarted in 2025 and said the program is expanding to a 13‑week series in 2026 with additional hands‑on lab sessions in response to participant surveys. He said the program runs frequent community education classes (recorded and posted to YouTube), publishes a newsletter reaching "over 1,500 people," and reactivated a peer mentor program that has completed 13 visits since January.

Weir gave a snapshot of program scale and support: he said sponsorships generated "about $5,000" in business contributions last year, later noting the program has since brought in about $7,000 in sponsorships and that sponsorship money is used to fund scholarships so people can attend at lower cost. On enrollment, he said this year’s graduating class had 18 participants (the program typically targets 25–30). He said that "over 500 graduates" from the program collectively manage about "45,000 acres" of land.

On costs, Weir said the class fee was "$250 per person" last year and that the fee was raised "to $304.50 per couples" for the current program; he said sponsorship funds are used to fill gaps for participants who cannot afford the fee.

Commissioners and board members pressed on practical links to other programs and services. Weir said completed Land Steward property plans make it easier for landowners to access agency funding and services — for example, he said Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will reimburse up to $5,000 toward a forest management plan when landowners engage those services. He also said having a completed land steward plan reduces the lift for agency foresters and staff because the landowner has already prioritized goals and needs.

Board members asked whether program participants are pursuing commercial uses; Weir estimated about "70%" of participants have some economic aspiration for their land, such as selling firewood or small‑farm products, while stressing the program is not aimed at industrial timber production. Members also raised concerns the county used to have a forester and that the position remains unfilled; Weir acknowledged OSU Extension has had budget pressures but said filling a locally attuned forester remains a priority for the program and extension leadership.

One commissioner suggested engaging the state insurance commissioner and insurance companies to discuss whether property assessments and stewardship actions could affect premiums. Weir and a board member offered to pursue outreach to insurers and the state insurance commissioner to explore that connection further.

The presentation generated follow‑up items for staff: clarify the funding and match arrangements tied to any previously promised forester position, and continue outreach to potential insurer partners and agency foresters. Weir offered to return with more detail on those topics if the board requests it.