161: Land is More than Finances; It's Your Culture and Heritage

Annie Ruth Jones is a three-generation landowner and has successfully used her land to plant and sell trees. Her grandparents bought the land she is currently standing on in 1935 and she is very proud that she has kept the family legacy alive all these years later. She also credits the Center of Heirs Property for helping guide her to find the right resources to make a living out of her land. Find out more about Annie and her property in this week's episode!   Key Takeaways: [2:15] Annie shares a little bit about her land and her family. [4:25] Annie shares her family tree and how she came to inherit her property. [9:25] Annie's father stressed the importance that everyone in his family finish high school. [11:00] Annie talks about her father and what kind of man he is. [12:00] Hold on to the land because they're not making any more of it. [13:40] A quick introduction to Kenneth Dunn and what he does for the Center of Heirs Property. [17:45] Annie cannot stand the tree frogs! [24:00] Annie does a tour of her property and talks about why she loves a particular tree. [27:45] As a black family, trying to hold onto property is very expensive. This is why Annie loves resources provided by Kenneth Dunn and others. [31:05] Annie made a promise to herself that she would not sell her land. [32:55] Annie feels so blessed to have been able to keep the property in her family name thus far. [34:15] It's up to the younger generation now to see if they want to keep up tree farming. [34:40] Kenneth explains some of the challenges African-American landowners have when it comes to keeping their land. [38:20] Without Heirs Property help, landowners really can get taken advantage of. [41:25] Annie shares how the family makes a decision together when it comes to their property. [42:50] What do you need to do to become a certified tree farmer?   Mentioned in This Episode: Sctreefarm.org State.sc.us Scforestry.org Heirsproperty.org Kenneth on LinkedIn