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Exploring Life & Business with Jaden Bjorklund of Northland Habitat

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaden Bjorklund.

Hi Jaden, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My Name is Jaden Bjorklund and I grew up in South Saint Paul MN. My interest in land & wildlife management started on a family farm in northwest Minnesota. From a childhood in the outdoors, witnessing the benefits of expert wildlife management and forestry, I pursued a degree in environmental science and biology at Saint John’s University. Growing up I was able to hunt and manage our family farm, which led me to develop a passion for deer hunting and land management. I know from my previous work experiences there aren’t many foresters in Minnesota that are passionate about deer management. Most of them are typical foresters who rarely see eye to eye with the landowners who are trying to manage their property for deer hunting and will only focus on timber production. There is nothing wrong with that mindset, but I wanted to bring a little different approach for private landowners.

My career in forestry and private consulting began under the head forester at Saint John’s University, where I was able to gain hands-on experience. Also, during college, I worked for the DNR under the private forestry management coordinator and worked in SE MN as a DNR forester. I knew I wanted to work in the private sector, so then I accepted a position with a wildlife management company out of Alexandria MN after college. While working there, I was lucky enough to work for the National Deer Association to gain great knowledge on deer management specifically. Most recently, I worked for a forestry company out of Onamia MN, for two years writing forest management plans and administering timber sales. Almost a year ago I started my own consulting business, Northland Habitat.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think any entrepreneur’s journey can truly be “smooth”. I think the main struggle to start was just figuring out how to start a business and the logistics that come with it. Another struggle is just getting the word out about my business and the benefits I can provide. I am a one-man business so it can sometimes be difficult to make time for the marketing that I need to put on, especially when that is not my background. I also still work with my previous boss who has a similar business so trying to maintain that working relationship can have its ups and downs. But overall I think the biggest struggle is having to be the technician, accountant, HR department, marketing manager, and CEO. Then trying to decide where to focus my time to continue to get more business but also complete the work that is in front of me.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Northland Habitat?
Northland Habitat is a forestry & wildlife consulting business for private landowners throughout Minnesota. We conduct one-on-one walkthroughs to educate private landowners on their property’s forestry, ecology, deer, and wildlife management.

Following the walkthrough, we develop Woodland Stewardship Plans that give landowners a goal-oriented 10-year plan for managing their property. Our mission is to help clients maximize their land’s potential while qualifying for tax breaks when possible.

Wanting the best for your woods, wildlife, and water is part of being a private landowner. The only way to help your property thrive is by establishing a plan for your land. The Woodland Stewardship Plans address goals such as:

-Increasing habitat for deer and other wildlife
-Supporting ecological diversity
-Maintaining open land or food plots for high-quality forage
-Increasing the forest cover
-Maintaining ponds, wetlands, & lowlands for water quality
-Increasing overall forest health

Once you have a Woodland Stewardship Plan, you will qualify for upgraded tax classification. Private landowners can apply for either 2c Managed Forestland for roughly a 35% property tax reduction or the Sustainable Forest Incentive Act (SFIA), where you receive payment up to $17 per acre of qualified forestland.

Private landowners must choose one of the programs and cannot enroll in both. Northland Habitat helps determine which program is the most beneficial to our clients by walking the land and getting to know your unique goals for your property. If a landowner wants more work to be completed, I will also write specific deer management plans and help mitigate timber sales.

What sets me apart from my competitors is I truly develop a relationship with my landowners and will stay connected with them long after the stewardship plan is completed. I am always a resource for them and answer emails, calls, texts, etc. at all hours of the day. Then many of my competitors have a more old-school approach and there is nothing wrong with that, but I believe my outlook on land management addresses a wide range of goals and landowners.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was very active in sports. In high school, I was a three-sport captain in basketball, football, and track. Then I spent a large amount of my free time hunting or fishing. I was a solid student growing up and still love to compete.  I have an outgoing personality and always enjoy making people laugh or smile. I don’t think I always knew I would go down an entrepreneur path, but I am happy with it so far. You must take a risk at some point in your life to be successful!

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