Upcoming Events - Farm Tax Management Webinar

Farmers preparing for income tax season will have an additional resource to help them sort through tax codes and changes when Purdue Extension offers a free webinar Dec. 6.

Income Tax Management for Farmers in 2011 will run 8:00-10:00 AM CST and is open to interested farmers. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with presenters and ask questions.

"Farmers need to determine year-to-date receipts and expenses for 2011 while there is still time to make adjustments for the calendar year," said George Patrick, Purdue Extension agricultural economist. "The webinar also will address after-the-end-of-the-year tax alternatives."

Those who derive at least two-thirds of their gross income from farming can file their income taxes by March 1 without having to worry about making estimated tax payments, Patrick said.

He and David Frette, a certified public accountant who works largely with farmers, will lead the webinar.

Some topics include deferred income from sales, prepaid expenses, farm income averaging, crop insurance, casualty losses, self-employment tax updates and tax management.

To participate, go to https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/tax/ approximately 10-15 minutes prior to the start time and log in as "Guest".  A high-speed internet connection is required. 

**Note: For those unable to view the program live, it will be recorded for later viewing.  The link to the recorded version will be posted on the Gazette as soon as it is available** 

Tips on Selection and Care of Real Christmas Trees

Coke vs. Pepsi, Leno vs. Letterman, Mac vs. PC, Purdue vs. IU.......real vs. artificial Christmas trees; No matter where you stand on these issues, debate over each usually stirs up controversy and can bring forth strong, unwavering, and sometimes hostile responses from otherwise rational individuals.  With the holiday season upon us, the real vs. artificial debate will likely liven up once again. 

Fans of real trees cite the fragrance, the tradition, and the environmental benefits of a real Christmas tree and the petroleum-consuming blandness of artificial trees.  Artificial tree fans cite the easy, no mess set-up and take-down of an artificial Christmas tree and the dirty, dried-up needles stuck in the carpet that you get with a real tree. 

Regardless of which side of the fence you find yourself with this issue, the fact is many families will head out over the next week in search of the perfect real Christmas tree and those real trees require a little extra effort and a little more attention. Below are links to two Purdue Extension publications that offer tips on selection and care of real Christmas trees to help ensure a happy and safe experience.  And, in the spirit of the holiday season, may we all agree to disagree in the great Christmas tree debate.               

Selecting an Indiana Grown Christmas Tree, FNR-422

Tips for First-Time Buyers of Real Christmas Trees, FNR 423

Conservation Easements Offer Way to Keep Land for Farming

Landowners who want to ensure that their farmland will be farmed for generations to come can consider a conservation easement to limit its future development even if they later sell the land.

A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement between a landowner and a land trust, a private, nonprofit organization that works to conserve the land. In this type of agreement, the landowner "gifts" the conservation easement to the land trust. The landowner, in turn, benefits from federal income tax deductions.

"Granting a conservation easement means the development rights for the land have been transferred, by a deed, to an organization qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, such as a land trust," said Gerry Harrison, Purdue Extension agricultural economist. "The organization holding the easement has the responsibility to see that the land is not developed for other than the landowner's retained purposes, such as agricultural production or perhaps some limited structures such as a homestead." <Read More>

December Yard and Garden Calendar

HOME (Indoor plants and activities)

• Check houseplant leaves for brown, dry edges, which indicate too little relative humidity in the house. Increase humidity by running a humidifier, grouping plants or using pebble trays.
• Extend the lives of holiday plants, such as poinsettias and Christmas cactus, by placing them in a cool, brightly lit area that is free from warm or cold drafts.

YARD (Lawns, woody ornamentals and fruits)

• Prevent bark-splitting of young and thin-barked trees, such as fruit and maple trees. Wrap trunks with tree wrap, or paint trunks with white latex (not oil-based) paint, particularly on the south- and southwest-facing sides.
• Protect shrubs, such as junipers and arborvitae, from extensive snow loads by tying their stems together with twine. Carefully remove heavy snow loads with a broom to prevent limb breakage.

GARDEN (Flowers, vegetables and small fruits)

• To protect newly planted or tender perennials and bulbs, mulch with straw, chopped leaves or other organic material after plants become dormant.
• Store leftover garden chemicals where they will stay dry, unfrozen and out of the reach of children, pets and unsuspecting adults. <Read More>