On rural land, especially in dry climates, fire safety is a high priority. While you want to avoid destructive, unexpected wildfires at all costs, there are actually many benefits to using prescribed fires. Also known as controlled burns, these flames are highly useful in managing long-term wildfire risk as well as enhancing property value. Since […]
AuthorLorie A. Woodward
Lorie A. Woodward 
Lorie A. Woodward has worked as a writer and public relations practitioner exploring the intersection of agriculture, natural resources and public policy throughout her career. Her professional journey, which has included stints in the public and private sector, has taken her across the country and around the world, where she has been enthralled by the people of the land and their stories. Before joining LAND magazines and LAND.com as a staff writer, she served as president of Woodward Communications and co-founded the Roundtop.com family of publications, focusing on life in the rolling hills of central Texas where country meets city. Woodward, the mother of two grown children, was reared on a ranch near Lexington, Texas, but now makes her home in Brenham, Texas.
How to Protect Your Rural Land During the Fall Wildfire Season
Wildfire season ramps up quickly during the summer and fall months. But in addition to preparing for the sudden onset, year-round efforts to reduce wildfire risks on your rural property generally enhances the safety of buildings, livestock, and people. Factors affecting wildfire risks include everything from vegetation to equipment and hay storage. That’s why preparing […]
Understanding Santa Ana Winds: How to Protect Your Land from Fire Risks
As the summer season comes to a close, you may be completing your final harvest or gearing up for fall crop rotation. However, in Southern California, there should be another crucial item at the top of your to-do list: prepping for the Santa Ana winds. With gusts reaching 90 mph, the Santa Ana winds peak […]
Texas Water
Demand for water in Texas is increasing as the supply is decreasing, creating a potentially life, environmental—and economic-altering shortfall, but researchers and innovators are developing promising solutions.
10 Ways to Prepare Your Crops for the Fall Season
From changing leaves to cooler days, fall is a season of transition. For farmers, it is also the time to take stock of your land and prepare your fields for the winter ahead. Even if fall isn’t your heaviest harvest season, that doesn’t mean there is less work to do. Keeping your farm tidy, preserving […]
10 Water Saving & Management Strategies for Rural Landowners
As the summer heat approaches your region, you may be planning your next crop rotation or seasonal patio refresh. But to truly optimize your land, you should also put a detailed irrigation plan at the top of your list. As temperatures rise and days get longer, water evaporates from the soil at a faster rate. […]
5 Ways to Protect Your Land During Upcoming Heatwaves
This summer is shaping up to be one of the hottest on record, with temperatures hitting all-time highs across the country. As you crank up the air conditioner, remember that not only do you and your family need protection from the heat, but your land does, too. The scorching summer sun can be dangerous, so […]
Utilizing Mulching to Retain Soil Moisture
When you invest time and effort into irrigation systems, you want to ensure that water properly soaks into the soil and hydrates your crops. Yet one of the biggest culprits of a dry field is poor soil moisture conservation. From harsh winters to scorching summers, proper plant hydration is key to a healthy harvest. Enter […]
How to Prepare Your Summer Crops for Hot Months Ahead
Phew! As you wipe sweat from your brow and cool off your livestock, just remember—your crops suffer from the heat, too. Extremely high temperatures can impact crop health and growth so much that rising global temperatures could reduce one-third of crop yields by 2050.1 Help set your crops up for success with these tips and […]
How to Prep Your Land for Summer Crops
As longer days and warmer temperatures ring in the summer season, you’re probably looking forward to the next rotation of summer crops. But before jumping into planting, there is work that must be done to ensure a successful harvest. Preparing your field for the season begins before summer is in full swing, and this work […]
6 Ways to Use Your Recreational Land This Summer
Owning undeveloped property is a goldmine opportunity, whether you want to start a farm or invite your friends for an evening of stargazing. Take the phrase “recreational land” literally and build a campsite or dirt bike path. Or start growing a vegetable garden and raising small animals—the choice is yours. Below, we’ll cover six of […]
10 Essential Tips to Get Your Land Ready for Warmer Months
We all know the saying, April showers bring May flowers. But the truth is, without essential summer prep work, spring rain won’t be enough for your farm to bloom. A comprehensive preparatory plan sets your farm up for success. For landowners, optimizing summer crop yields and aesthetic appeal begins long before the warm weather rolls […]
5 Ways to Make Your Landscaping More Eco-Friendly This Summer
You own a beautiful piece of land, and, understandably, you want to keep it that way. But diverse landscapes are home to various flora and fauna that need biodiverse homes to thrive and fill our planet, and not all land care efforts support that. However, with eco-friendly landscaping practices, you can make your home an […]
5 Reasons to Secure a Real Estate Agent When Buying Land
You’re ready to expand; it’s time to move. But what’s the first step? Buying new land is an exciting endeavor—the possibilities are endless! However, the process can come with costs and challenges. And that’s where a real estate agent steps in as your personal expert and problem-solver. From finding the ideal properties to negotiating prices, […]
5 Benefits of Using a Real Estate Agent When Selling Your Land
Although you may know your land like the back of your hand, that familiarity doesn’t always result in effective marketing or negotiation once you’ve decided to sell it to new stewards. That’s the value an experienced land broker adds to your knowledge of every nook and cranny on the parcel. Their expertise in navigating property […]
How to Strategically Invest in Land Real Estate
Every land purchase—whether you’re looking for your first homestead or in the market for a new farm—is momentous. And you want an investment of this size to bring future prosperity, fulfillment, and dividends. Securing long-term gains through undeveloped property investments comes down to strategy. Real estate transactions (especially land purchases) require both buyers and sellers […]
Navigate the Terrain: Key Considerations for Choosing a Land Real Estate Agent
Regardless of whether you’re planning on selling or buying property, most people partner with a real estate agent for the expertise and assistance they provide from prep to close. Those on both sides of the market value professional input enough that over 90% of 2022’s sales involved an agent.1 So, whether you’ve decided to sell […]
Private Lands Summit 2024: Water Resilience For The 21st Century
Demand for water is quickly outstripping supply in Texas—and the predicted shortages will have big environmental and economic impacts for the state.
10 Tips for Establishing Your New Farm
So, you’ve bought the land and decided to start a farming business. Crops grow just fine on their own, making your work as easy as harvesting produce and waiting for the profits to roll in, right? Wrong! It is safe that it takes a village to let a farm flourish, with many behind-the-scenes preparations in […]
How to Buy Land: A Checklist for First Time Buyers
There’s a lot to consider when purchasing a plot of land. And for first-time buyers, budgets, property features, offers, and other aspects of real estate deals can seem confusing. With the right guidance, however, you can expedite the timeline, get a better deal, and enjoy your new property sooner. While partnering with a knowledgeable agent […]
