Agriculture in West Virginia - WVATS Newsletters

WVATS Newsletter Articles - 2005

Funding Resources for Farmers and Agricultural Educators

A number of competitive grants and cost-share programs are available to help farmers. If you don't have access to the Internet, please call 304-293-4692 ext. 1185 for additional information.

Sustainable Agriculture

Farm couple reading near a tractor

Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) Farmer-Grower Grant Program
www.uvm.edu/%7Enesare/FGinfo.html
The goal of the Farmer-Grower grant program is to develop, refine and demonstrate new sustainable techniques and to explore innovative ideas developed by farmers across the region. You do not need to be farming full time, but your operation should have an established crop or animal product that you sell on a regular basis.
Due date: December 6, 2005

Our West Virginia AgrAbility office now has 2006 Farmer-Grower Grant applications as well as a helpful 34-page guide titled, "How to Write a SARE Farmer-Grower Grant Application." If you'd like a copy, please call 304-293-4692 x1185.

Northeast SARE Partnership Grant Program
www.uvm.edu/%7Enesare/PARTinfo.html
The Partnership Grant is for agricultural professionals who work directly with farmers - specifically Cooperative Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) personnel, non-governmental organizations and others operating in the farm community who are interested in developing on-farm demonstration, research or marketing projects related to sustainable agriculture.
Due date: November 29, 2005

Agricultural Management Assistance
http://www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ama/05_AMA/ama.html
The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) offers a cost-share program to help cover the costs of fencing, wind-breaks, reclamation plantings and sustainable 'truck-farming' produce operations.

Organic Certification Cost-share Program
http://www.wvagriculture.org/images/Marketing/Application%20for%20Reimbursement.pdf
Note: this is a PDF file.
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture and USDA have teamed to offer cost-share reimbursement of the fees associated with organic certification-a great incentive for anyone 'riding the fence' on transitioning to organic farming.

graphic of a farm
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2006 Youth Garden Grants Program

www.kidsgardening.com/grants.asp

The National Gardening Association and Home Depot award Youth Garden Grants to schools and community organizations with child-centered, outdoor garden programs.

In 2006, 150 programs will receive Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of gardening materials and supplies particular to the needs of their program, and an activity package from the National Gardening Association.
Schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, treatment facilities and intergenerational groups throughout the United States are eligible. Applicants must plan to garden in 2006 with at least 15 children between the ages of 3-18 years.
Due date: November 30, 2005

packages of seeds

Scotts' Give Back to Grow Program

www.scotts.com
The Scotts Miracle Gro Company celebrates and honors individuals who take pride in giving back to their communities through gardening. The sixth annual Scotts' Give Back to Grow Awards provide support for, and promote participation in, gardening that grows community pride. Each winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize and public recognition for their work.
Due date: December 2, 2005

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Raking Made Easy

pictures of hand grips being used on rakes

Aside from being a seasonal imperative for those in wooded areas, raking leaves can be a therapeutic source of exercise and fresh autumn air, not to mention a great source of mulch for cold-sensitive perennials. Chronic back or wrist pain due to injury, arthritis, or other conditions can make the experience less than fun, however. There are several simple, inexpensive rakes and handle adaptations that are readily available, including the Earth Bud-Eze Shrub rake which is ideal for small jobs and hard to reach places. Available from www.gardenscapetools.com, Earth Bud-Eze upright non-slip ribbed hand grip and flexible arm cuff offer additional stability to the tool and strength to gardeners with chronic joint and muscle syndromes like carpal tunnel or arthritis, as well as motion reducing injuries. Length is 29 inches and weight is just over 1.5 pounds. To increase your leverage with a wide variety of tools, Gardenscape also has straight and D-Grip Handle grips, which transfer easily between tools and adjust to any position. Other long handled and lightweight wide-comb rakes are available at www.handhelpers.com

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WV AgrAbility Announces New Employee

Stacy Miller

WV AgrAbility would like to announce that Stacy Miller is the new Information Specialist for the West Virginia AgrAbility program, which was recently awarded a new four-year grant. Among the grant's goals are developing new promotional materials (including Spanish versions), developing public awareness activities for West Virginia's agricultural communities and expanding the program's web-based resources.

Stacy received her bachelor's degree in English and Environmental Studies at St. Mary's College of Maryland, where she conducted oral history research on Southern Maryland's transitioning tobacco farmers. She served as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer in Maryland before managing a cut flower program at the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship in Purcellville, Virginia. Stacy received her M.S. in Agricultural and Environmental Education from West Virginia University; her thesis was titled "Characteristics of Farmers' Market Vendors in West Virginia." Stacy also currently serves as the co-manager of the Spruce Street Farmers' Market in Morgantown.

You can reach Stacy by calling 304-293-4692 ext. 1185 or e-mail agrability@hsc.wvu.edu

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AgrAbility Brochure Now in Spanish

Spanish brochure

Between 1997 and 2002, the number of West Virginia farms operated by Spanish, Hispanic or Latino farmers increased by more than 75% (USDA 2004). For this growing group of farmers and the educators and agencies with whom they work, the WV AgrAbility brochure is now available in Spanish. To order copies of the Spanish version, please call 304-293-4692, ext. 1185 or e-mail agrability@hsc.wvu.edu

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Arthritis Guide Available

arthritis guide

According to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, our state has the highest incidence of arthritis in the United States. Thirty-seven percent of West Virginia's adults have been diagnosed with arthritis or other joint problems, and 32% have said that arthritis limits their work activities. If you are a farmer or market gardener with arthritis, please call 304-293-4692 ext. 1185 or email agrability@hsc.wvu.edu to request a free copy of Arthritis and Agriculture, a 23-page guide to understanding and living with arthritis. The guide offers tips on simplifying work tasks and protecting your joints while working on the farm.

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Agriculture Tax Tips

West Virginia AgrAbility Project logo

There are a variety of forms and publications available to assist farmers with filing taxes. They include:

Form 943, Employer's Annual Federal Tax Return for Agricultural Employees - This form is used to report income tax withheld and employer and employee social security and Medicare taxes on farmworkers. It's also used to report taxes on wages of household employees in a private home on a farm operated for profit.

Form 990C, Farmers' Cooperative Association Income Tax Return - This is the income tax return required of a Farmer's Cooperative Association.

Schedule F (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From Farming - This form is for the computation of profit (or loss) from the operation of a farm.

Schedule J (Form 1040), Farm Income Averaging - This form is used to calculate Farm Income Averaging.

Form 2210F, Underpayment of Estimated Tax By Farmers and Fishermen - This form is filed as an explanation to avoid penalty for underpayment of estimated tax made by qualified farmers and fishermen.

Form 4835, Farm Rental Income and Expenses - This form is used by a land owner (or sublessor) to report gross farm rental income based on crops or livestock shares where he/she does not materially participate in the operation or management of the farm.

Form T (Timber), Forest Industries Schedule - This form must be attached to your income tax return if you operate, buy, lease, or sell standing timber or forest land.

Publication 51, Circular A, Agricultural Employer's Tax Guide - Publication 51 is for employers of agricultural workers (farmworkers). It contains information you may need to comply with the laws for agricultural labor relating to social security and Medicare taxes, Federal unemployment (FUTA) tax, and withheld income.

Publication 225, Farmer's Tax Guide - Publication 225 explains how the federal tax laws apply to farming. It contains chapters on the importance of good records, filing requirements and return forms, accounting periods and methods, farm income and expenses, and much more.

Publication 378, Fuel Tax Credits and Refunds - This publication discusses the purpose for which gas and special motor fuels must be used to qualify for the credit or refund of Federal excise tax. See Chapter 2 for farming purposes.

Publication 533, Self-Employment Tax - The purpose of this publication is to help you understand self-employment tax. It explains:
     - What self-employment tax is
     - Why you pay it
     - How you pay it
     - Who must pay it, and
     - How to report it on your tax return.

Publication 946, How To Depreciate Property - This publication explains how you can recover the cost of business or income-producing property through depreciation.

These forms can be found at www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=118249,00.html or call 800-829-3676 or 800-829-4059 (TTY).

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Guide To Selecting Non-Powered Hand Tools Provides Resource For Avoiding Musculoskeletal Injuries

A new publication by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Cal/OSHA Consultation Service provides easy-to-use guidance for evaluating and selecting non-powered hand tools to reduce risks of job-related disorders from repetitive movements.

"Easy Ergonomics: A Guide to Selecting Non-Powered Hand Tools," includes user-friendly, illustrated discussions of factors to assess in choosing tools and a checklist for comparing tools and making a selection.

The document is designed to help workers, including farmers and farm workers, evaluate different non-powered hand tools to identify those that can be used effectively with less force, less repeated movement and less awkward positioning of the body for a given task. By selecting a hammer, screwdriver, wrench, or other type of hand tool that meets such design and performance criteria, the risk of musculoskeletal injury can be reduced.

"A wise investment in the right tool can repay itself many times over through savings in medical costs, lost work time and lost productivity, but selecting the right tool can be complicated and time-consuming without assistance," said NIOSH Director, John Howard, MD.

To the untrained eye, it may be difficult to evaluate tools from an ergonomic perspective, the new document notes. The guide offers simple tips for making such evaluations, following a step by step approach:

"Easy Ergonomics: A Guide to Selecting Non-Powered Hand Tools," DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-164, is available on the NIOSH web page at www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-164/default.html or by calling the NIOSH toll free information number, 800-356-4674.

For additional NIOSH findings and recommendations for preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders, visit the NIOSH web page at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ergonomics/

Ergonomic Tools
Some tools are advertised as "ergonomic" or are designed with ergonomic features. A tool becomes "ergonomic" only when it fits the task you are performing, and it fits your hand without causing awkward postures, harmful contact pressures or other safety and health risks.
If you use a tool that does not fit your hand or use the tool in a way it was not intended, you might develop an injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis or muscle strain. These injuries do not happen because of a single event, such as a fall. Instead, they result from repetitive movements that are performed over time or for a long period of time, which may result in damage to muscles, tendons, nerves, ligaments, joints, cartilage, spinal discs or blood vessels.

Cutting, pinching, gripping tools. Examples: pliers, snips, cutters           Striking tools. Example: hammers


Driving tools. Examples: screwdrivers, hand wrenches, nut drivers, T-handle wrenches           Struck or hammered tools. Examples: punches, chisels, nail sets
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Gardening Made Easier for Seniors

Gardening is truly one of America's favorite leisure outdoor activities, enjoyed by more than 22 million seniors. But for those who suffer from arthritis or other medical conditions, gardening can become difficult and frustrating. Accessible gardening is a term that offers practical tips and ideas to help seniors manage their physical limitations so they can continue to garden. Here are some things to consider.

sample lawn and garden plants and tools

Tools of the trade

If you have limited strength or mobility, here are some tips to help make your gardening a little easier:

Bring the garden to you

If your mobility keeps you from getting into the garden, bring the garden to you. Here are some ideas to consider:

Resources:

The National Gardening Association: A nonprofit organization that offers gardening tips and sells many of the accessible gardening tools and containers listed above. Visit www.garden.org or 590 call 800-538-7476.

Gardener's Supply Company sells many accessible gardening tools and containers. Visit www.gardeners.com or call 888-833-1412.

Check with your local county extension agent for advice on accessible gardening.
Content derived from Savvy Senior by Jim Miller.

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West Virginia AgrAbility Project Renewed

barn

The National AgrAbility Project is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funded program established to help people with disabilities remain active in agriculture. West Virginia was among the states that applied for and received the AgrAbility grant for the years 2005-2009.

West Virginia will continue to serve farmers and farm families in many ways including:

For more information on the West Virginia AgrAbility Project call 800-841-8436 or e-mail assist@sunnyelkins.com.

Visit www.cedwvu.org/programs/agrability/ for more information including articles from past WVATS newsletters and the West Virginia Farmers' Connection Guide, which contains information about both state and national resources related to agriculture.

For more information on the National AgrAbility Project visit www.agrabilityproject.org/ or call 866-259-6280.

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Web Resources

For individuals interested in adapting their lawn tractors, many manufacturers are including adaptations in their newer models. Both John Deere and Simplicity (which owns Snapper) offer a hand control kit for many models in their respective lawn tractor lines. For more information visit the following web sites:
      www.ridgewaymower.com/lxlawn.htm
      www.simplicitymfg.com/news_room_7.php

Note: the following two links open PDF files. You may need to download Acrobat Reader
     www.stonehams.com/pdf/gx255.pdf
     www.stonehams.com/pdf/gt200trac.pdf

West Virginia Farmers' Connections Guide

The WV Farmers' Connections Guide published by the West Virginia AgrAbility Project is available online. This guide is a resource for farmers and farm families in West Virginia; it contains contact information about both state and national resources related to agriculture. An online version can be accessed at: www.cedwvu.org/programs/agrability/connections/

sample farm equipment

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