Help us help our planet-planting 53 acres of trees

We have been accepted into a federal tree planting program.  It
will include planting 53+ acres of live seedlings and seed on our
farm for the following purpose:

”To establish a tree planting for the purpose of controlling soil
erosion, improving water quality, reducing carbon in the air, and
producing quality hardwood timber and wildlife habitat.”

This has been our goal ever since we bought our farm in 2005.  It
was difficult to qualify for the program but we finally succeeded.  
These programs used to pay great incentives to plant, but those
days are past.  We will be responsible for 50% of the total cost.  

Total cost to prepare the site, plant the trees, and maintain the 
planting for 2 years post planting will be $52,603.  We will be
reimbursed $26,302.   So we will be paying $26,302 out of our
pocket for this to be a success.  These funds are due in 2021.  
We feel very strongly that this will be a great benefit for the
environment and wildlife for decades to come.  This will also
greatly benefit future generations who can enjoy our state of Iowa the way it was meant to be.
Thank your for your interest and support of this project.

Plan details: drawn up by district forester
1. site prep - planted rye grass where seeds will be planted
                             Disc and spray 32 acres
2. Plant 396 bushel of oak&walnut seed& 16 lbs. cherry
                              Drag seed to 2” depth
                              2 years weed control via spray
3. plant 12,600 hardwood seedlings (oak,walnut, black cherry)
4. Tube and stake 1,000 seedlings
5. maintain seedlings by 3 years mowing