For more information click the link below:

Registration and Information – IN Livestock, Forage & Grain Forum

At this meeting, the Board will take nominations for the Board.  Dean Scott and George Mears’ terms will expire at the Annual Meeting.

Come to the meeting to meet and talk with Morgan Thornburg, the Executive Director for the Carroll County Farm Services Agency Office.  Morgan will speak about the current Farm Program and will answer questions you might have.

The Conservation Stewardship Program is available once again in 2012.  Applications are taken on a continuous basis and are considered for approval during certain funding periods.  The deadline for applications to be considered for funding this year is January 27, 2012.

More detailed information about the Conservation Stewardship Program can be found on the Indiana NRCS web site

NRCS – USDA Conservation Reserve Program

Or, from the attached brochure:  CSP Brochure

Or – Call the Delphi office:  765-564-2849, Extension 3

The 2012 Central Indiana Pork Conference is scheduled for Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at Rossville High School.  This annual event sponsored by Purdue Extension and the Purdue School of Agriculture provides valuable information and updates to producers.

What options exist to modify facilities to improve biosecurity, particularly against PRRS? What were the results of the recent EPA Air Quality Study and how might these impact producers? What is the current regulatory Climate and how will it impact producers?

Sponsored by the Clinton County Pork Producers and the Clinton County Extension Service

More information and registration materials available on the attached brochure:

2012 Central Indiana Pork Conference Brochure

- On farm energy initiative: This initiative provides payments to reimburse participants for conducting on farm energy audits. If a participant already has had an audit completed, and the audit reveals the need for energy saving practices, EQIP may be able to assist with paying for the energy saving practices. The attachment provides more information about payment rates and eligible practices.

- Seasonal high tunnel initiative. This initiative provides financial assistance for a practice called a seasonal high tunnel. An attachment is provided that explains the practice in more detail. This initiative has been available in other states for a couple of years, but it is new to Indiana this year.

More detailed information about the Environmental Quality Incentives Program can be found on the Indiana NRCS web site: NRCS – USDA – EQIP Home Page

Guidelines can be downloaded for more information –

2012 EQIP On Farm Energy Initiative Practices

2012 EQIP General Signup Practice Guidelines

SeasonalHighTunnel_JobSheet_Pages 1 and 2

Of course, folks can also call the Delphi office for more information – 765-564-2849, Extension 3.

We recently learned that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management seeking the size and locations of all permitted swine facilities in Indiana. This request was signed by Hannah Conner, a former attorney with the Waterkeeper Alliance now employed by HSUS. It is possible that this information will be used to target a farm on the list with either environmental litigation or undercover video.

In order to safeguard against these potential threats, remain vigilant for infiltration by undercover activists and maintain the highest level of environmental stewardship and compliance with IDEM regulations.

Attached is information provided by the Animal Agriculture Alliance (AAA) for your review in order to guard against possible intrusion by unfriendly forces. This information outlines critical areas of facility security and hiring practices and includes simple steps to strengthen the security on your farm. If you have additional questions please contact Greg Slipher, Livestcok Development Specialist at Indiana Farm Bureau:  317-432-3816

Farm Security Brochure FULL

For more information, check out the attached flyer:  Carroll Co Training Flyer

Certified Livestock Producers receive discounts and benefits.  See the attached Flyer for a description of benefits to CLPs:  CLPP Incentives

2012 Farming Together Workshop – Brochure

You can view the agenda and pre-workshop worksheets at this URL: Farming Together – Agenda and Materials

The course will emphasize an introduction to forestry and management principles that landowners can apply on their properties.  If you own woodland, sell timber occasionally, manage a tree plantation or wildlife, or are considering some woodland investment, this class may be of great benefit to you.  Beginning with the basics of tree identification and how a tree grows, the class will explore the biology and management of forest resources that supports the diverse environmental and economic benefits our forests provide, including thousands of jobs in the Indiana’s forest-based businesses.

More information and an event brochure is available at the website:

Purdue Education Events – Woodland Management

Or download this brochure:  Woodland Owners Clinic Wkshp 2012

From the IRS Information Center – July 18, 2011:  Because the highway use tax is currently scheduled to expire on Sept. 30, 2011, this extension is designed to alleviate any confusion and possible multiple filings that could result if Congress reinstates or modifies the tax after that date. Under temporary and proposed regulations filed today in the Federal Register, the Nov. 30 filing deadline for Form 2290, Heavy Vehicle Highway Use Tax Return, for the tax period that begins on July 1, 2011, applies to vehicles used during July, as well as those first used during August or September. Returns should not be filed and payments should not be made prior to Nov. 1.

For more information, see the two links below, to the IRS announcements:

IRS Trucking Tax Center

IRS Gives Truckers Three-Month Extension

UPDATE – DECEMBER 5,

The Heavy Use tax return has been updated, and was due November 30.  If you haven’t filed yours, you can download the IRS form here:  Heavy Vehicle Use f2290

For more information, visit the IFB web site: IFB CAFO Info

• $20/person for First Responders
• $40/person for CCAA members
• $60/person for Non-Members

This is an all-day workshop, including a working lunch.

For more information and to register, contact Andrea Brown at the Carroll County Extension Office.  Details and contact information in the attached flyer:  Grain Bin Training Carroll

Pre-registration is required. Lunch is provided.

More information – including registration forms – attached:

2011Category14Letter

2011DecPARPLetter

For more information, call Andrea Brown at the CC Extension Office:  795-564-3169

Free Webinar! “ Income Tax Management for Farmers in 2011,”; held on Tuesday, December 6 from 9-11 a.m. (ET).  George Patrick, Purdue University Extension Economist, and David Frette. CPA from Washington, IN will lead the discussion.  There is no charge for the webinar, and it is available at this link:

Webinar – Income Tax Management for Farmers in 2011

The webinar will be a practical, management-oriented discussion of recent tax changes and the implications for farmers, farm families and farm businesses. Topics include a review and discussion of depreciation alternatives involving additional first year depreciation, Sec. 179 expensing and regular depreciation for 2011 and 2012.  Other topics include deductibility of prepaid expenses, deferral of income, farm income averaging, reporting crop insurance indemnities and distress sales of livestock. Tax planning in a high income year will be emphasized.

Webinar Materials – available After December 2

Other Tax Planning Resources:

Tax Guidance for Owners and Operators of Small and Medium Sized Farms

Farmers Tax Guide – IRS Publication 225

Register TODAY for the Midwest Pork Conference – a gathering of more than 300 pork producers and allied industry leaders at the Hendricks County Conference Complex in Danville, IN on December 6.

Check out the invitation:  Midwest Pork Conference Information

Event agenda:  Midwest Pork Conference Agenda

This program recognizes people who work behind the scenes – those in the barn, service managers, production managers or anyone else who ensures every little thing is done right – to raise healthy, productive pigs. “Through the Fostera PCV recognition of excellence program, we want to celebrate those individuals who go above and beyond to exemplify higher standards,” says Benjamin Church, senior marketing communications manager, Pfizer Animal Health.

Winners will be selected by an independent panel and each will receive $1,000 cash, plus an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the Pfizer Animal Health headquarters and New York City on April 18-21, 2012.

Deadline for submitting nominations is November 30.

More information: Pfizer Animal Health – Salute to Producers

Submit a Nomination

Through this program $4.2 million has been donated to rural communities across the country! Apply today and the Monsanto Fund will donate $1 to your local United Way to help food banks and other charitable organizations dealing with hunger in your community.

Last year, David Minich was a winner for Carroll County, and $2,500 went to the Flora Youth Baseball program.

Deadline is November 30, so apply today!

America’s Farmers Grow Communities

The Area Plan Commission will consider a DRAFT Zoning Ordinance for Carroll County at its next meeting on Tuesday, October 25, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. in the Carroll County Courthouse Commissioner’s Room.  The public is invited to hear discussion about the results of this two-year project to completely review and update Carroll County Zoning Ordinances.

Of interest to Farmers are the changes in the Agriculture District and the new Rural Residential Zoning District, which are excerpted, below.

Agriculture District Zoning

Residential District

A full “mark up” version (this is DRAFT #2 and the “mark up” compares with DRAFT #1) is available on the Carroll County Zoning website.  You can also review the notes and information posted by the Steering Committee.

Carroll County Zoning Website:  Carroll County Zoning Information

The Steering Committee encourages questions and comments, which may be submitted by email here: Carroll County Zoning Steering Committee

Update – October 26, 2011

The Area Plan Commissioners recommended the proposed Zoning Ordinance to the Carroll County Commissioners for adoption.  The next step is a public hearing and comment, and adoption by the County Commissioners, in mid-November or early December.  You can obtain a copy of the proposed Zoning Ordinance (Adoption Draft) from the Zoning Project website, or you can purchase a hard copy for less than $20 from Q Graphics in Delphi. 

WHEN: Wednesday October 19th 5:00-7:00 pm Dinner will be provided between 5-5:30 pm, catered by All-B-Q’s. There will be activities for children from 5:30-7:00 pm.

WHERE: 4-H Community Building (within Flora Community Park at the intersection of Fourth St. and Main St.)

WHY: You are an important part of this community. Your ideas matter.

NOTE: This process is voluntary and it will not lead to an increase of taxes or regulations. RSVP to Rhonda Hicks (Rhonda Hicks SWCDCC Email or 765-564-4480 x3) is suggested, but not required.

More information from the flyer: DeerSugarCreeks

(NOTE – the flyer includes a map showing the area served by Deer Creek and Sugar Creek)