Can I finance timberland or land I plan to convert from timber to farming?
Yes. Timberland is financed on appraised value, which combines bare land value and merchantable timber value from a timber cruise. Conversion plays — clearing timber to plant crops or pasture — underwrite as bridge loans, since the property changes character mid-loan.
A credible timberland appraisal needs a recent cruise: species, age classes, volume, and stumpage values. Lenders then decide how much timber value to count — many haircut it, because the borrower can harvest the collateral. Expect a lower effective LTV on heavily-timbered ground than the headline number suggests.
Conversion projects need the sequence spelled out: harvest income first, then clearing and site prep costs, then the planted end-state value. A well-structured deal uses timber proceeds to fund conversion, with the loan bridging the gap. Bring logging quotes and a site-prep budget, not just intentions.
Check the regulatory layer before pricing anything: state forest practice rules, harvest permits, wetland delineations, and any conservation easements. A recorded easement restricting harvest can cut usable value dramatically and does not always surface until title work.
The Turnrow angle
Turnrow's 12–36 month terms fit conversion timelines: close on the timbered parcel, harvest and clear, then exit to long-term farm credit once the ground is producing.
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