When Monica Shields inherited her 63-acre Pennsylvania property, LC Acres, from her father in 2018, she decided she did not want to follow the common pattern of leaving the land idle. “I never wanted the property to just sit there,” she explained. “I wanted it to work for me, but in a sustainable way.”  

In 2022, she joined the Family Forest Carbon Program (FFCP) with the aim of doing just that and has since used the annual payments to invest back into the forest. “We're always looking to do something to contribute back to our land,” she said. Today, her favorite part of FFCP is the knowledge that it provides, through access to a forester and community of like-minded landowners.  

“That access is fantastic for someone who is so keyed in on seeking knowledge. I'm an eternal learner and the faster I can take it in the happier I am, so I love having access to more knowledge that's going to help me be more productive,” Monica shared. “I'm not the type of person to sit still. I’ve got a hundred projects all the time and being part of this program helps to feed my need to learn.” 

Monica’s many projects include raising animals, running a small business, managing deer populations, increasing biodiversity, and operating a community-based instruction site. FFCP has made this possible by connecting Monica with a forester who helps her navigate how to use her land more sustainably. Landowners often fear that enrolling in a carbon project limits the way they can use their land, but Monica is proof that a property enrolled in FFCP can be just as versatile as any other. 

Here are some ways Monica is putting the financial and technical benefits of FFCP to use on her land. 

Profitable Sustainability  

Monica is constantly thinking of ways to use her property in productive and sustainable ways. Annual payments from FFCP give her the financial support and freedom to think bigger when it comes to how she uses and manages her land.  

After discovering the forest was covered with underbrush, preventing new growth, Monica was presented with three choices: spray the invasives, re-whack the overgrowth, or get goats.  

Monica’s not done yet. She is looking into the possibility of turning the wool into wool pellets for fertilizer and using the manure for fertilizer as well. If she is able to repurpose these byproducts of her animal business, it will make the operation even more sustainable, and possibly more profitable. 

Managing Threats 

While the animals they raise have a symbiotic relationship with their forest, there is one particular animal that is disrupting the ecosystem: deer. Overpopulation of deer is dangerous to a forest because they eat acorns and saplings, preventing new growth. Since Monica’s family doesn’t hunt, she found the Base Camp Leasing company, who brokers leases between hunters and landowners. Now, Monica’s property is producing a third stream of income while protecting the health of the forest.  Deer management practices like these are not only compatible with FFCP, but encouraged. Both Monica and the program benefit from a well-managed ecosystem. 

Giving back 

While Monica has found ways to use her land profitably, she also uses it to give back to her local community. Her son, Sage, has an intellectual disability, and was referred to a transitions program, which helps young adults transition into adulthood after high school. Through this process she learned that her property could become an Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) Community Based Instruction (CBI) site. She now runs a transitions program that teaches young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities skills like social interaction, timelines, scheduling, and budgeting. The participants work up to 3 days a week and help plant 200 trees a year on Monica’s property as well as helping operate community events.  

“it's actually pretty helpful because, you know, not only are we getting some extra hands to help us around the farm, but there's a young adult that's getting some practical knowledge and experience about working for somebody and some exposure in the community,” Monica shared. LC Acres enrollment in FFCP keeps the property protected for the length of the contract term, ensuring that beneficial programs like this can continue operating in the forest for years to come.  

Looking Forward 

Monica has found ways to make her landowner journey both a sustainable and profitable endeavor, improving the health of her woodlands while supporting the communities around her. She plans to use her access to FFCP’s forestry knowledge and community to help her as she continues discovering new opportunities for LC Acres.  

“I think I have some plans for it, you know sometimes those plans change and alter, I'm just excited to be part of that ride.” Monica said. “Whatever it is that happens, I know that being part of this carbon program will help me to be informed about how we manage our farm.”