** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** A 'CLOUDED TITLE' IS CREATED WHEN A PROPERTY OWNER DIES OWNING REAL PROPERTY AND HAS FAILED TO ESTABLISH A WILL OR ESTATE PLAN THAT TRANSFERS OWNERSHIP TO THEIR HEIRS. THIS ISSUE POSES A SUBSTANTIAL MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR CHALLENGE THAT IMPACTS THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES IN EACH SOUTHERN STATE. THIS DYNAMIC EFFECTIVELY TRAPS PRODUCTIVE LAND AND INTERGENERATIONAL WEALTH-BUILDING CAPACITY BY HALTING ANY MEANINGFUL LAND UTILIZATION AND BENEFICIAL FOOD PRODUCTION DERIVED FROM HAVING A CLEAN PROPERTY TITLE.THIS RESEARCH PROJECT EXPANDS ON THE UNDERSTANDING HEIRS' PROPERTY AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL TRAIN-THE-TRAINER PROGRAM. TO DO SO, WE WILL DEVELOP A REGIONAL COLLABORATION WITH THE SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND RANCHERS POLICY RESEARCH CENTER HOUSED AT ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY, THE GULLAH/GEECHEE NATION, AND THE ALABAMA HEIRS' PROPERTY INITIATIVE. THE PROJECT HAS THREE OBJECTIVES: (1) RESEARCH THE VARIETY OF CONSTRAINTS PROPERTY HEIRS FACE WHEN INHERITED AGRICULTURAL LAND IS ENCUMBERED IN CLOUDED TITLES; (2) RESEARCH THE SUCCESSES AND BARRIERS FACING EXTENSION PROFESSIONALS AND LEGAL PRACTITIONERS IN ADDRESSING HEIRS' PROPERTY TITLING ISSUES; (3) DEVELOP STATE-LEVEL WORKBOOKS, A CORRESPONDING FACILITATORS GUIDE, AND BUSINESS PLANNING TOOLKIT.THESE MATERIALS WILL BE ORGANIZED INTO AN IN-DEPTH TWO-DAY PROGRAM TRAINING FOR EXTENSION AGENTS FOCUSED ON STRATEGIES TO ASSIST HEIRS' PROPERTY FAMILIES DIRECTLY WITH MATERIALS, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND BUSINESS, AND ESTATE PLANNING RESOURCES. THROUGH APPLIED RESEARCH, ACCESSIBLE MATERIALS, AND EXTENSION TRAINING, THIS PROJECT SEEKS TO BUILD CAPACITY WITHIN THE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SYSTEM TO ADDRESS HEIRS' PROPERTY AND FACILITATE LAND TRANSITION AND ACCESS ACROSS THE REGION.