I need to make good use of 20 acres in Oklahoma.

[HawkinsHollow]

Weed, the kind that makes you hungry!

Yeah, Yeah I got it! I have just never heard it called that.

 

[Mudfarmer]

If you are in a timber growing area and mills are nearby, planting trees for future harvest (and/or carbon credits) is rational. There is typically an initial flurry of activity to get the seedlings planted and about five years of tending them until they reach the "free to grow" size. After that how much work you put into it is dependent on interest and circumstance. The best parts are that there are no real seasonal constraints to get work done once the forest is established and most states have land-tax incentives for timber farming. Since the land is newly owned your enthusiasm is likely to be high. That may wane as the years pass, but by then you'll be growing timber - a slow but [barring disaster] relentless proposition.

Of course if you go this route take into account accelerating climate change. There are now traditional tree-growing areas in Washington State that are predicted to warm and dry too much for Douglas fir to survive to maturity. Check with your local extension agency about any prospect you are considering.

 

[JLinOK]

The fellows across the county road bought 20 acres three years ago. They seem to be making good money growing marijuana.

I made a deal with them. None of their customers come down my driveway - ever - and I won't be over on their 20 - shooting them.

There is a new grower moratorium in Oklahoma for 2 years, I think. Not really something I believe in anyway. Most growing is done in metal buildings with huge heat pumps down someone on hand 24-7. There is probably 1.5 to 2.0 times supply for the Legal demand.

 

[ericm979]

There are now traditional tree-growing areas in Washington State that are predicted to warm and dry too much for Douglas fir to survive to maturity.

This is already happening in southern Oregon. Firs are dying off at lower elevations and needing to be removed. They were at the limit of high temps and low water. Temps have gotten higher. Some argue they were invasive due to forestry practices and historically were not found that low, but they did do well for many decades.

 

[Vineroper]

okcdan has not told us enough to make worthwhile suggestions.

Does it have water, utilities, paved access, structures like a house or barn, proximity to urban areas or is it just flat prairie in the middle of nowhere.

Does okcdan want to work it himself, live there and be a subsistence farmer or be a windshield rancher. That is just lease it out to cover the property taxes and look at it through his windshield once in a while. In other words, what does he want to do with it, if anything.

MadMac is right. Those are all important factors If you are close enough to Ardmore, OK you can take advantage of a free 4 person team of researchers from the Noble Foundation (forage, wildlife, soil, etc.) who can provide you with with a wealth of data and make suggestions for doing something with your land that can make you money. We are just south of the Red River in Texas, and are within Noble's jurisdiction. Noble told us we could probably make good money growing mountain laurel trees, but we planted grapes and started a winery instead. (Probably should've listened to them.) Also, if you are close enough to a town or city, and willing to invest your own labor, you may be able to start a CSA -- google CSA feasibility study and you'll find lots of examples. 20 acres is plenty large enough for that.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

The OP has been here since 2011, and this is his 3rd post. Somehow I doubt we'll be hearing from him soon.

While true, many, many posts produce/spark ideas that may help another years down the road. Which is why you/we'd see posts being resurrected. It's a knowledge base of sorts.

I know I have done numerous searches on a topic because the title caught my eye and learned a lot from the posts.

A post is just a starting point for numerous ideas/culture/techniques we have been exposed to that we share and learn from.

 

[Dennis Mohn]

We've always hayed this property, but as a new inheriting person, I'd like to learn about other options for this property. Can anyone point me to some good info, or make suggestions?

start by contacting your county extension agent and doing soil tests .

 

[JLinOK]

Why would you shoot people on the neighbors property?

Well, in Oklahoma, there is usually a shooting or murder there at some point. You might as well be ready.

 

[Sprinkler Fitter]

Well, in Oklahoma, there is usually a shooting or murder there at some point. You might as well be ready.

Just for coming on to my property?

 

[alexpops]

Doesn't Oklahoma still have a law on the books that allows an ambush as "self-defense" when you worry the person you are ambushing is planning to ambush you?