Deep Roots

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“Look at this huge one!” my son Jordy how thrilled the kids are — even with exclaimed as he reeled in a sunfish the the tiniest fish. My friend then shared size of a half dollar. We had been spend- about a recent fishing outing she had ing a beautiful evening on Lake Minnie with her father where the sunnies were Belle fishing for sunnies as we listened practically jumping in the boat! I asked to Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline. The sun her where they went — half expecting a had started to set and we still had not response of, “a secret lake off of hushfound the “honey hole” we were looking hush avenue.” On the contrary! She for. We had caught plenty of sunfish shared that they had been at another throughout the evening, but nothing big DEEP ROOTS central Minnesota lake using canned enough to keep. The excitement was all By Whitney Nesse corn for bait! the same for the kids though. A fish on is a fish on! Low and behold, a week later, Karl and I packed up the kids and the boat and headed

A few days later I was chatting with a friend toward the lake. We motored around for a bit, checkabout our recent evening out which had left our ing out the lake, speculating where the fish might hearts full, but our bellies empty. We laughed over be. I helped our kids bait some hooks and we tossed a few lines out as Karl anchored us in. Another fisherman trolled by and asked if we were fishing for sunnies. I told him indeed we were and he shared with us exactly where to catch them — 20 feet from the weed line. I thanked him and wished him luck as he continued and Karl repositioned us to the precise place our fellow angler suggested. Within mere seconds of throwing out lines, we had rods bending. Five of us were fishing that day and we reeled in one sunnie after another. In total, we brought home 22 sunfish and threw back dozens more. That evening, my son Easton learned how to clean our catch and we ate to our hearts content.

Our fishing success was based on the fact that our fellow fishing enthusiasts were willing to share helpful information. Had it not been for those few tips, we would have come home empty handed again.

In Matthew 4:19, Jesus says, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men!” In this text, Jesus is gathering disciples — calling them from their vocation to follow him. Not only is he calling them to follow him, but Jesus is also asking them to minister to others. The word “fishers” here, according to Pulpit Commentary, suggest care, patience, skill and endurance. Those are great words to link fishing and ministering!

When we choose to follow Jesus, we are willingly becoming fishers of people. Some of the folks we have the opportunity to minister to might not be ready to bite. Other times, people may be so hungry for the things of God that they practically jump in the boat!

Friends, let’s be generous with our fishing information. I wonder, if we choose to share fishing successes and tips, might we be able to see hearts and rods bending?

Whitney Nesse is a sixth-generation livestock farmer who is deeply rooted in her faith and family. She writes from her central Minnesota farm. v

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Beginning farmers tax break still available

ST. PAUL — A tax credit for the sale or lease of land, equipment, machinery and livestock in Minnesota by beginning farmers is still available through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Rural Finance Authority.

To qualify, the applicant must be a Minnesota resident with the desire to start farming or who began farming in Minnesota within the past ten years, provide positive projected earnings statements, have a net worth less than $862,000, and enroll in, or have completed an approved financial management program.

The farmer cannot be related by blood or marriage (e.g., a parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling) to the person from whom he or she is buying or renting assets. The farmer must provide most of the labor and management of the farm.

The tax credit for the sale or lease of assets can then be applied to the Minnesota income taxes of the owner of the agricultural land or other assets.

Three levels of credits are available: 5 percent of the lesser of the sale price or fair market value of the agricultural asset up to a maximum of $32,000; 10 percent of the gross rental income of each of the first, second and third years of a rental agreement, up to a maximum of $7,000 per year; and 15 percent of the cash equivalent of the gross rental income in each of the first, second or third year of a share rent agreement, up to a maximum of $10,000 per year.

The Beginning Farmer Tax Credit is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications must be received by Oct. 1. Application forms and more information can be found at www.mda.state.mn.us/bftc.

Interested farmers should note that they can also apply for a separate tax credit to offset the cost of a financial management program up to a maximum of $1,500 per year – for up to three years.

This article was submitted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. v