Farmer and Rancher Tax Resource

USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) has introduced a new website - Rural Tax Education - that provides farmers and ranchers, other agricultural producers and Extension educators with a source for agriculturally related income and self-employment tax information.

Tax issues are important for agricultural operations because income and self-employment taxes are a major cost, and also because more and more USDA programs are being linked to a producer’s federal income tax return.

Also on the website is a Tax Guide For Owners and Operators of Small and Medium Size Farms, produced by Land Grant University Tax Education Foundation, INC. through a grant from the USDA Risk Management Agency.

Check out their website at http://www.ruraltax.org/for a FREE resource.

A Free Webinar: Why Eat Organic

Join eOrganic for Why Eat Organic by Jim Riddle, University of Minnesota. This is a live broadcast from the 2012 Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism, and Organic Conference. The broadcast is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required.

Date: Thursday, January 12, 2012

Time: 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM EST (10:45 Central, 9:45 Mountain, 8:45 Pacific Time)

Register now at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/309956440

About the Webinar

As research into organic food and farming expands, trends are beginning to emerge validating the multiple benefits of organic systems. In this session, the author will present concise, understandable summaries of recently conducted research regarding nutrition, pesticide residues, biodiversity, natural resource conservation, soil and water quality, and food safety related to organic production and handling.

To find out more about this conference, see http://www.specialtygrowers.org/iscaoc-conference.html

To view all other upcoming and archived eOrganic webinar and broadcast recordings, go to http://www.extension.org/pages/25242

About Jim Riddle

Jim Riddle has worked for over 26 years as an organic farmer, inspector, author, policy analyst and educator. He was founding chair of the International Organic Inspectors Association, (IOIA), and co-author of the IFOAM/IOIA International Organic Inspection Manual. He has trained hundreds of organic inspectors throughout the world. Jim served on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Organic Advisory Task Force from 1991-2009, and was instrumental in passage of Minnesota’s landmark organic certification cost-share program. Since January 2006, Jim has worked as the University of Minnesota’s Organic Outreach Coordinator. Jim is former chair of the USDA’s National Organic Standards Board, and is a leading voice for organic agriculture.

About eOrganic

eOrganic is the Organic Agriculture Community of Practice at eXtension.org. Our website at http:www.extension.org/organic_production contains articles, videos, and webinars for farmers, ranchers, agricultural professionals, certifiers, researchers and educators seeking reliable information on organic agriculture, published research results, farmer experiences, and certification. The content is collaboratively authored and reviewed by our community of University researchers and Extension personnel, agricultural professionals, farmers, and certifiers with experience and expertise in organic agriculture.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer

Chaffee County Building Farmers Program

Applications are currently being accepted for the inaugural Chaffee County Building Farmer’s Program to be offered in Salida.

The Colorado Building Farmers program builds farm community and farmer capacity through classroom and experiential learning for beginning farmers (0 – 10 yrs exp). The course is a series of 8 evening classes designed to help New Farmers/Ranchers explore farming as a business and provide Intermediate and Experienced Farmers/Ranchers with tools and ideas to refine and enhance their business management, production, and marketing skills.

Classes include Strategic Business Planning, Introduction to holistic management, agriculture modalities, market analysis, land acquisition/leasing, marketing/distribution, financial planning/business organization, budgeting, food safety and other risk management, production Q & A, and presentations of student-created business plans. A variety of local growers and academic specialists make up the cadre of speakers for this eight-week course.

When: Tuesday Evenings, January 31 - March 20, 5:30 pm - 8:30

Where: Chaffee County Fairgrounds, 10165 County Road 120, Salida

Cost: Costs for the course are $200 for new farmers/ranchers, $140 for intermediate farmers/ranchers, and $100 for experienced farmers/ranchers. Course fees include all tuition, expenses, and evening meals each week.

Application Process: Applicants will complete a short questionnaire about their experience and desires for the course, and a local advisory committee will screen applications to determine eligibility.

This course is open to new, intermediate and experienced farmers. Intermediate and Experienced farmers fuel the learning environment. Dinner provides time for socializing and networking. Sessions explore content useful to all levels of experience. New farmers learn in this community of farmer students and teachers.

For more information or an application, contact Kurt Jones at 719-539-6447.

The Colorado Building Farmers program is based upon work supported by NIFA under Award Number 2009-49400-05877 from the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. CSU Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.

Free and Easy Ways to Support Guidestone Every Day

We’ve just made it easier for you to support Guidestone!

We registered Guidestone (Salida - CO) with GoodSearch.com, a company that helps non-profits like ours raise funds through the everyday actions of our supporters.

Here is how you can help:

• Use GoodSearch when you search the interent – they will donate a penny to us every time you do.
• Use GoodShop.com when you shop online – they work with more than 2,500 major brands, have over 100,000 coupons and donate a percentage of every purchase you make to us.
• Enroll in the GoodDining.com they will donate up to 6% of every dollar you spend when you eat at one of 10,000 participating restaurants.

Please join our community on GoodSearch.com and help us raise money for our mission. Get started by clicking the “Become a Supporter” button on our profile page here!

Check out this video to learn more about how GoodSearch works.

Pumpkin Patch Thank You

On behalf of Guidestone’s Board of Trustees and staff, I would like to extend a resounding thank you to everyone in the community that participated in our 5^th Annual Pumpkin Patch at Cottonwood Meadows. Thanks to gorgeous fall weather and such a supportive community, this was our most successful event yet. We are delighted at this year’s turnout, with more than 1700 people in attendance over the two weekends’ festivities!

All of the proceeds from the Pumpkin Patch go to support Guidestone’s Farmhands Education Program, which provides hands-on, experiential farm & nature-based education programs to school groups, children and families. Guidestone is a Chaffee County-based non-profit dedicated to strengthening the local food economy through preserving agricultural resources and educating

We would like to specifically thank the following individuals, organizations and animals for helping make the Pumpkin Patch such a great event: Weathervane Farm & Cottonwood Creek Dairy staff and family of farm animals, John Cogswell, Colorado Grown Distribution Center, Ralph Ogden and his team of wranglers, draft horses and ponies from Arkansas Valley Trail Rides, Dennis Fischer and his mule team, the Chaffee County Fire Protection District, and all of our hard-working and positive volunteers: Angie Jensen, Ashley Blazer, Ben Walker, Bev Palm, Bill Earley, Chrissy Supples, Danielle Riggio, Jane Lambard, Jessica Adamson, Jessica Pettee, Joan & Randy Roberts, Josh Visitacion, Karen & Will Berry, Katrina Clark, Kira Cunningham, Kristine Smock, Maude Perschbacher, Naomi Allen, Paul Hauser, Rebecca Owens, Sarah Mudge and Travis Colbert. for ecological literacy.

We also would like to thank the following businesses for their sponsorships or in-kind donations:

LiveWell Chaffee County, The Boathouse Cantina, Landmark Surveying and Mapping, Arlie Dale’s Jug Liquors, Arrowpoint Cattle Company, Brady’s West, Buena Vista Roastery, The Eddyline Restaurant and Brewery, Erin’s Organics Geothermal Greenhouse, The Evergreen Café, GOTO Guide, Headwaters Outdoor Equipment, Heart of Colorado Vacations, Kaleidoscope Toys, The Maverick Potter, The Mixing Bowl, Moonstone Ventures, Mother’s Bistro, Natural Habitats, Nature’s Pantry, Susan Dempsey Hughes (Pinon Realty), Rebound Physical Therapy, Rise and Shine Bakery, Salida Bread Company, Salida Mountain Sports, Simple Foods and Southwest Conservation Corps.

Community support is invaluable to the success of these programs, and we are grateful to be part of such an enthusiastic community that supports local food and local agriculture. Thanks again, and best wishes for a cozy winter. We hope to see you on the farm again soon!

Best regards,

Andrea Earley Coen

Guidestone Education Director

Check Out This Weekend's Pumpkin Patch & Community Events!

Guidestone's Fifth Annual Pumpkin Patch

Saturday, October 22, 10 to 4 and Sunday, October 23, 12 to 4
Location: The Meadows, 15264 Crossman Ave. (CR 350), Buena Vista (Look for the pumpkin signs!)

Join us for hayrides, petting zoo, face painting, pumpkin picking, pony rides, and hot apple cider and lunch, and more!

Admission for adults and children three and over is $5; children two and under are free. All proceeds support Farmhands, Guidestone's Educational Program.

Special thanks to our hosts and sponsors!

Colorado Grown, Cottonwood Creek Dairy, Arkansas Valley Trail Rides, and Cottonwood Creek Dairy

Articipate's 3rd Annual "FUN-Raiser!"

Salida Steamplant Event Center, 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Workshops from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.; Silent Auction 11:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.; Live Entertainment 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Visit the website for more information

Living Green 2011 Home Event

Visit 10 environmental homes throughout Chaffee County

Saturday, October 22, 2011
9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Tickets and information at GARNA.org or call 719-539-5106

Creating Miracles for Sustainable Living

Publish Post

Join us for a Fundraiser

for

Guidestone and partners Weathervane Farm, Cottonwood Creek Dairy,

and Colorado Grown Co-Op Market!

Hosted by Karen Lacy of Alternative Choices Wellness Center and Eddie Sandoval of Asian Palate.

When: Saturday, September 10, 2011 from 5:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Where: The State Hwy. Theater, Buena Vista

Cost: Entrance Fee (Donation) $5 Adults (13 and up); $3 Kids (5-12)

What: Come for dancing and live entertainment, silent auction, raffle drawing for prizes, and healthy food to eat! All money spent is tax deductible.

Guidestone is dedicated to strengthening the local food economy through preserving agricultural resources and educating for ecological literacy. Guidestone serves farmers, landowners, educators, youth, and community members in the Upper Arkansas River Valley by providing farm based education programs and by supporting and growing the capacity of agricultural resources to help ensure a secure agricultural future for the region. Two Buena Vista farms, Weathervane Farm and Cottonwood Creek Dairy, and Colorado Grown Co-op Market currently work with Guidestone and benefit from their work in the community.