The developers of a successful Oregon State University program to help family forest landowners and farmers sort through estate planning are now marketing the concept across the United States.

The goal, experts say, is to help address a growing national crisis -- aging landowners who become overwhelmed by family disputes and the complex issues of land transitions.

Such disputes can lead to forest and farm land being lost to traditional uses and ending up as subdivisions or shopping malls.

"About 50 percent of forest landowners are 65 years old or more, and 25 percent are 75 or older," said Brad Withrow-Robinson, an extension forester with the OSU College of Forestry, in a statement. "But only about 30 percent of family forest landowners have any kind of management plan, let alone a succession plan. These issues are simply not being addressed with the urgency they deserve."

A range of functional, "family friendly" materials have been produced through a collaborative project led by OSU Forestry Extension, along with the OSU Austin Family Business Program, Oregon Forest Resources Institute, members of local woodland organizations and others.

Materials include a workshop, a Web site and a workbook to help guide families through the steps discussed in the workshop.

The workshop has just been released on DVD, so groups around the state or country can bring the program to their community. "Ties to the Land: A Facilitated Workshop on Succession Planning," includes instruction for facilitators, an instructor's copy of the workbook, and costs $195. Individual copies of the "Ties to the Land: Your Family Forest Heritage" workbook cost $25. Both products can be purchased at familybusinessonline.org/resources/workbooks.htm.