[near horse]

While I’m not an accountant nor do I play one on TV, I think I could make a pretty good argument for the value of my team. As I mentioned before, draft teams appreciate in value (to a point) unlike equipment. So it’s hard for the tax guys to say that you need to reduce the value you’re deducting because you’ve had the team for 2 years or whatever.

OOPS – here comes the IRS.

[near horse]

Welcome Riverbound,

Glad to have you onboard. This site truly is a resource!

[near horse]

@J-L 25109 wrote:

As much as I admire anyone who stands up for what they believe in, when you start advertising yourselves as the radical, civil disobedient, advocacy group from the backwoods of whatever state, you are going to turn off a fair amount of people in my oppinion. Not everyone is a hippy worshipper.
I agree with the root of your cause, and I suspect most people would, if they hear it put forward in a manner that’s more palatable.
Chaining your naked body to your milk barn doors might not be the best way.;)
Just an oppinion from someone who’s a little more on the conservative side.

J-L

I understand your point but I think that you like many others have associated the term “radical” with the term “hippie”. Back in the 30’s or so, the current dairymen were “radicals” and boycotted low milk prices by dumping their milk – not hippies though. Radicals have existed for centuries – heck, Jesus was a radical in his time.

The point is the average Joe doesn’t pay much attention to anything unless it’s hammered to them in the media AND the media isn’t going to come report what it considers to be a story of limited “saleable” interest – so they need a naked guy chained to the milk house door (or worse yet, the dairyman the killed himself mentioned on this site a year or so ago). Civil disobedience is the about the only tool in the shed you have to bring in the forces of public opinion – they can’t respond to what they don’t know about. The working history of this country is built around working class folks demanding better for themselves and only getting it through acts of civil disobedience – ask coal miners, textile workers etc How didi those folks bring about change in Egypt, Tunisia etc – not by following the law and dispersing and they sure aren’t hippies. So, sure, sometimes it’s unpalatable but you tell me, what’s your farm livelihood worth to you?

Kristan,

Those arguments you put forth about what bad press will do to the industry are the very scare tactics being put forth against raw milk, home slaughter of beef, pork, lamb, poultry etc. Yet the facts tell a very different story in which the worst press for industrial ag has come because of its own shortcomings – how many meat recalls (in the millions of pounds) do we have to have to recognize that the folks clamoring against the small producer claiming concerns about safety and sanitation ARE the very groups that are responsible for the recalled product. Those practices are convincing folks that other smaller producers are the way to go. But industry is unwilling to accept the results of their production model (reduced sales) AND is unwilling to change. So, take away the alternative market and gain the market share back. I’d just be careful about who I threw in with, if you know what I mean. I doubt they’re concerned about your best interest. PS – I hope this isn’t about cheese market saturation in VT where small producers start fighting with each other. Then we’re done for – get ready for more Velveeta processed cheese food.

[near horse]

I think the main concern is the wind – just like at home. Absolute temps aren’t bad as long as air movement isn’t removing body heat. I’ve had folks tell me they use a light sheet – I’m assuming they’re talking about horse sheets not bed sheets – just to cut the wind.

I haul newborn calves at highway speeds (60+) when it’s 10 or lower outside. They are in a box so the wind is blocked and they do just fine.

[near horse]

Any thoughts about trying to involve similar orgs in other states? Not sure if there are many places like VT in terms of small organized farmers but I do know there are the same issues RE: raw milk, on farm slaughter etc

I’m pretty green when it comes to raising cain w/ a purpose. Most of my experience was doing it for no good reason:eek: But, with the recent megaload fight here, I’ve learned and seen some things.

1) try to keep the issue in the news to keep public exposed – get interested folks to write letters to the editor of various newspapers. And keep at it.

2) have some type of public informational meeting perhaps a “your right to choose” theme (as much to call attention – “local TV news “is looking for stuff like this).

3) you can stage some sort of “symbolic protest” – make sure you let the media know ahead of time. EX – the head of ID transportation was quoted saying those in opposition to the megaloads were a bunch of “nuts”. Over the course of the week his office received boxes and boxes of peanuts from the so called “nuts”. Not much but makes a point and keeps your cause at the top of the list.

I probably haven’t said anything you all haven’t thought of already – you are in the VT where all dissent originates! What about your neighbors next door – “Live free or die!” We’re just trying to live free and regulations are killing us.

Best of luck and expand the fight!!

[near horse]

How ’bout a slogan “Vermont Agriculture Agency – Making Education a Crime!”

Sad that you might have to conduct “underground” courses using secret codes. milk = white rain.

Man am I getting tired of this regulatory BS – get the pitchforks and torches AGAIN!

I don’t see how they can keep you from teaching people something that they’re allowed to practice at home – or are you guys really teaching how to cook meth?

[near horse]

In the west, “rigs” are pickup trucks. As in, “Which rig is yours, the Dodge or the Ford?”

[near horse]

I forwarded the link to an online class here in Idaho for beginning farmers “Sustainable Farming and Ranching” thru an extension program called “Cultivating Success”.

Although some of the stuff is more suited to the NE, those trying to hash out their plans etc could still benefit from seeing the startups and budgets etc. Nice site.

Also, better hurry and enjoy while you can – the GOP is cutting anything that doesn’t blow up:rolleyes:

[near horse]

I forwarded the link to an online class here in Idaho for beginning farmers “Sustainable Farming and Ranching” thru an extension program called “Cultivating Success”.

Although some of the stuff is more suited to the NE, those trying to hash out their plans etc could still benefit from seeing the startups and budgets etc. Nice site.

[near horse]

Hi Andy,

See if you can get hold of Erik Andrus. Erik has hand planted and weeded wheat using the old Chinese method you mention. Conventional practice is to plant at higher densities so as to shade out weeds earlier in the growing season but then the cultvation option is out. Erik would have good info for you.

BTW- he’s also working with some old varieties of wheat.

[near horse]

Haven’t used a rod weeder but there are plenty of old ones scattered around here. I thought one of the issues with No-Till (in a conventional sense) is the weight of the drill to get decent seed/soil contact in untilled ground. Those things are beasts as well as pricey – so we try and adapt something.

An interesting crop that’s getting some attention here is camelina. It’s an oil seed that is as tough as weed. Tolerates dry ground, no or few pests etc. Only the seed is about the smallest I’ve ever seen – like 6 or 8 would be equal to one mustard seed. Sorry to diverge – carry on.

[near horse]

@goodcompanion 24974 wrote:

I usually use a deferred collateralized security tranche of each horse in an amortized hay annuity-based debt retained revenue expenditure obligation, plus a 15% accrued capital income dividend allowance for each hoof I haven’t trimmed since I’m busy filing taxes.

Plus if the barnyard is wet in April I consider the assets to be offshore.

That’s exactly what I was thinking of doing – I think?:confused:

[near horse]

The concern is “that look” the tax folks or accountant gives me when I bring up using horses. They don’t seem to see it much at all I guess.

Sorry if I’m a little slow but where/how do you claim your team? Do you treat them similar to say a tractor or skidder? You know, claim some 179 deduction and depreciate some of the value. The reason I ask is a team tends to “appreciate” in value up to a point. So how does one estimate the “value”?

Most of the other stuff (vet costs, tack, feed) makes sense but the horses, mules or oxen are the part I can’t get straight.

BTW – I file Sched F not C but I don’t have a forestry biz.

Thanks for sharing.

[near horse]

Hi Patrick,

Welcome and glad you’re here.

[near horse]

Hey Carl,

I was trying to put together a draft of the grant proposal due Mar1 (see what I’ve got below – tell me if I’m off base) and there was a segment requesting our mission. I lifted (and modified) one that Lisa sent me in a previous grant.

Anyway – see how “off” the mission statement seems – and the rest of the text as well.

tell us who you are, what your mission is, what your
goals are, how you plan to achieve them, what you’ve accomplished, and how
you’d use the grant.
Who Are We?
The current Draft Animal Power Network (DAPNet) evolved from an informal and effective network of small family farmers and loggers using draft animal power to grow and harvest food and other resources in a sustainable and ecofriendly manner. In 2005, these individuals organized and came together as part of the first Northeast Animal Power Field Days which has become an annual event. Since that time DAPNet has grown significantly in its membership and includes a very active online discussion forum (http://www.draftanimalpower.com) with members dedicated to teaching, learning and discussing

Our Mission
Mission Statement: DAPNet is dedicated to using horses, mules and oxen, as a practical power source to maintain the viability of small farms and communities while celebrating renewable land-use practices that advance the cultural web of local communities.

Our Goals*****

How to Achieve The Goals*****

What Have We Accomplished
From its initial inception in 2005, DAPNet has grown to over 300 members, including some in Europe and Canada, but all dedicated to the principle of small family farms and businesses based on animal power making up a local community. DAPNet has recently elected a board of directors, will be publishing its first newsletter and is in the process of applying for 501c3 status.

How We’d Use the GrantIn furthering the goal of promoting and supporting animal powered small scale family farming, the Draft Animal Power Network needs to raise funds to support a Coordinator who could develop an effective database, write grants, coordinate annual community outreach events like NEAPFD and turn the Draft Animal Power Network (DAPNet) into a Non-Profit Organization. This resource base will cater to the needs of teamsters (young, old, green, seasoned), create opportunities where experience in the use of animal power can be shared, provide opportunities for peer group validation, and provide access to equipment, and support resources.

[Author]

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