WV Farm Bureau Magazine April 2013 | Page 17

Stallman, continued outbreaks, it makes running a farm or ranch challenging under the best of circumstances. Add a complex and burdensome tax code, and the challenge becomes even greater. To provide a fairer tax system, Farm Bureau supports lowering tax rates for individuals and providing additional relief from the capital gains tax for farmers since they are hit especially hard by the tax. We also advocate repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. This tax no longer serves its original purpose of preventing tax avoidance by higher income Americans, but instead creates a burden on the middle class. While these measures would significantly help farmers and ranchers, it would benefit many other Americans and small family businesses. Other tax provisions, like the Health Insurance Tax and the Medicare Contribution Tax, also need repealed. The HIT tax will raise insurance costs for farmers and ranchers, making it harder to purchase coverage for themselves, their families and their employees. The Medicare Contribution Tax, which is a tax on unearned income, will especially burden farmers and ranchers since theirs is such a capital-intensive business. Benjamin Franklin once said that nothing in this world is more certain than death and taxes. While both are inevitable, the federal tax code should be the lesser of the two evils. Making our tax system fair, simple, understandable and non-burdensome is imperative for all Americans. Michael, continued Organic Fertilizer and Lime Doubled my hay crop in 1995 67% increase of cattle herd on same acreage Dry summer 2012, produced 4100 lbs per acre “18 years field proven” Only costs $14.00 per acre for both Will not burn! 19-19-19 & pellet lime costs $300+ per acre and they burn! Reduce your dependence on “foreign oil” Help the environment with less oil use Improve miles per gallon Cut overall costs American made synthetic oil. Amsoil www.lubedealer.com/rwbenson [email protected] 304-745-4710 after 6 p.m. Get your Kioti Mechron at Johnston Equipment LLC 1617 Berlin Rd • Weston, WV 26452 (304) 269-5155 ATTENTION MINERAL OWNERS! Receiving Offers to Lease or Currently Receiving Oil & Gas Royalty from Wells On Your Property? Become a NARO member and start learning how to manage your oil & gas minerals and royalty. Call 1-877-341-3244 for information NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of ROYALTY OWNERS APPALACHIAN CHAPTER the Farm to School Community Development Group which is composed of Mollie Wood, Bekki Leigh, and Andrew Pense of the Department of Education in the Office of Child Nutrition: Jason Hughes of the Department of Education in the Office of Career and Technical Instruction/ Agriculture; Allen Arnold of the Collaborative for a 21st Century Appalachia; Tom McConnell of WVU Extension and the Small Farm Center; Jeanie Smith and Cindy Martel of the WV Department of Agriculture and Dale Hawkins of the New Appalachian Farm and Research Center. Keep on the lookout for a “Farm to School” program coming to your town soon. Delegate Larry Williams, Preston County, is promoting a pilot project that could have major implications for “Farm to School” and beyond. His plan utilizes the Preston County Agricultural Education animal technology program, which has a federally inspected slaughter and processing plant, to spur economic development in the region through the production, processing and marketing of livestock – stay tuned. Until next time, take care FRIENDS, God bless and KEEP SMILING . . . and if you desire to get rich quick, count your blessings! West Virginia Farm Bureau News 17