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What's your definition of a farm?In a recent Root Zone column, Ken Root challenged readers to write their own definition of a farm that should receive government payments. You can contribute by contacting Ken at kenroot@clearchannel.com or Ken Root, 2141 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312, or leave a recorded message at 1-800-227-1821. You may also go to www.hpj.com/farmemail.cfm Maximum and minimum There needs to be a maximum and reasonable minimum income limit along with a maximum benefit limit and possibly a minimum benefit limit. It would be easy to spend more in processing than the "farmer" received. Use common-sense related to the purpose of the program. --Calvin Ruby Tax returns In our business, which is equipment financing and leasing, Leasing Resources Inc., looks at two things in order to define a customer as a farm operation. The first thing we look for is if the customer is filing a Schedule F on their tax return. The second possibility would be that they are filing a Schedule E which is Supplemental Income and Loss from rental real estate, royalties, partnerships, S Corporations, estates, trusts, etc. In one of these, entities could be including a Schedule F in their tax return. --Bill Mapes Not a true farmer Technically, I'm NOT a farmer. I do have five acres, four horses, two llamas, two peacocks, two turkeys, and sixty chickens (the goats, geese and ducks are gone, the steer is in the freezer and the rabbits died). But talk to my local co-op feed mill and they love my feed, equipment and alfalfa purchases. What am I? Certainly there's a government program somewhere for me . . . --Bob Wetmore Supporting a family farm can support the operator and/or crew--not a tax dodge for someone. That could be one acre of high dollar crop or 30,000 acres in Nevada. A farm provides enough income to keep you fed, housed, clothed, and the taxes paid. I'd say minimum sales of $10,000 a year would be the bottom for someone who is very frugal. --John Regions matter Perhaps the idea of a "farm" should be based on more regional or common production practices in geographic areas. The reason for this thought is Collin Peterson's comment that farms below 10 acres are not farms. That is certainly true when you think about "farms" in the arid newly subdivided west. In many areas of the country a small farm can be a viable and productive unit depending on production practices. Where the farm bill gets into trouble is in the concept of "commodity" production. No small farm anywhere can compete large scale farms for those program commodities. They can however be viable farming operations that contribute to the local economies and provide significant income for the owners/operators. These folks are mostly left out of the mix in the farm programs. Make the definition of a farm more realistic with the realities of the region that it is located in. For example, using the 10 acre definition. Ten acres in southern Colorado of native range will not feed even one cow, whereas 10 acres of native range in Florida might feed several cows. The same thing would apply to fruit or vegetable production irrigated or non-irrigated. To quote an often used phrase in the restaurant business, "Location, Location, Location." Defining a farm should be based on, "Location, Location, Location." One size will not fit all and the USDA needs to wake up and recognize that fact. --Robert Mathis Percentage of income To me personally, it has nothing to do with where the farm is located, how large or small it is, whether it is rented or owned, or what it produces. To me if it doesn't provide you and your family with at least 60 percent of your yearly income it isn't a farm but a hobby. Just think if this was the rule how much money and paperwork the USDA would save? Unfortunately our farm bills have to suffer though what is called a political process which really has nothing to do with people who really farm. With the writing of the new farm bill just over the horizon, the one thing I feel confident about is our Congress can figure out a way to make an easy thing hard and a hard thing harder. That is something history has proven. --Ron and LaVerne Flatt Date: 7/3/07
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