SAUK R RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPT. 21, 2019 | Page 1B
Serving rural Benton, Morrison, Mille Lacs and Kanabec counties
BENTON AG BE Plus
Sauk Rapids Herald
| SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2019
Apply for Beginning Farmer Tax Credit by Oct. 1 Incentives available for rent or sale of farm land, some assets ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Rural Finance Authority reminds beginning farmers and asset owners to apply by Oct. 1 for the tax credit for the sale or lease of land, equipment, machinery and livestock. To qualify, the applicant must be a Minnesota resident with the desire to start farming or who began farming within the past 10 years, provide projected earnings statements, have a net worth less than $836,000 and enroll in or have completed an approved financial management program. The farmer cannot be directly related to the person from whom he or she is buying or renting assets. The tax credit for the sale or lease of assets can then be applied to the Minnesota income taxes of the owner of the farm land or agricultural assets. Three levels of credits are available: - Five percent of the lesser of the sale price or fair market value of the agricultural asset up to a maximum of $32,000 - Ten percent of the gross
Rubes Sponsored by Fluegge’s Ag
Tax Credit page 3B
Fitch Ranch endeavors raising Scottish breed BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
FOLEY – What started as an infatuation with photos of fluffy cattle has become a reality and dream come true for a family who moved to the Foley area two years ago. Nick and Amy Fitch, owners of Fitch Ranch, purchased their first pair of Scottish Highland heifers June 1, 2018. The Fitches and their children – Ava, 16, Sophia, 14, Franklin, 5, and Walter, 2 – welcomed the first Highland offspring born on the farmstead Aug. 21. “It was so exciting,” Amy said. “I went out to check on the cattle because we knew June was due any day. I counted all five cows and they all looked fine. Fifteen minutes later, Nick was out back and yelled, ‘Amy, the calf is here.’ She
Fitch page 3B
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
The Fitch family – Ava (front, from left),16, and Sophia, 14; (middle) Franklin, 5; (back, from left) Nick and Amy holding Walter, 2 – stand in their yard Sept. 18 at Fitch Ranch in rural Foley. The family has six purebred or crossbred Scottish Highland cattle, about 40 goats, chickens, ducks and kittens.
FALL DISCOUNTS ON HAY EQUIPMENT
Kuhn Knight 8141 Slinger, 800 bu., newer hammers, good d augers, radial tires - $29,900
Rental manure e spreaders available ble
FLUEGGE’S AG
ROD FLUEGGE “the boss” Farm Material Handling Specialist 2040 Mahogany St., Mora, MN WWW.FLUEGGESAG.COM 320-679-2981 BA-38-1B-JW