2nd annual recognition highlights farmers serving as local leaders in environmental stewardship

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today were joined by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and Director Chuck Gipp from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to announce that nominations are open for the 2013 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards.

Nominations are due by June 15, 2013 and the nomination form can be found here.

"These awards are an opportunity to recognize the many farmers that are taking significant voluntary steps to protect the soil and improve water quality here in Iowa," Branstad said.  "Iowa farmers take great pride in caring for the soil and water, and we want to lift them up as examples for other farmers to follow."

"Iowa is fortunate to be at the forefront in agriculture and to keep our leadership position we must protect and conserve our state's natural resources and fertile soil for future generations," Reynolds said.  "Agriculture plays a critical role to Iowa's global competitiveness and economic status."

The award is a joint effort between the Governor, Lt. Governor, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources to recognize the efforts of Iowa's farmers as environmental leaders committed to healthy soils and improved water quality.

It seeks to recognize the exemplary voluntary actions of farmers that improve or protect the environment and natural resources of our state while also encouraging other farmers to follow in their footsteps by building success upon success.

Farmers that are nominated should have made environmental stewardship a priority on their farm and adopted best management practices throughout their farming operation.  As true stewards of the land, they recognize that improved water quality and soil sustainability reaps benefits that extend beyond their fields to citizens of Iowa and residents even further downstream.

"A critical component of the recently revealed Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy is to increase the amount of voluntary, science-based conservation practices that are on the landscape," Northey said.  "Recognizing farmers who are taking the lead in conservation is a way to encourage others to consider adopting some of the same practices on their land."

An appointed committee of representatives from both conservation and agricultural groups will review the nominations and select the winners. The recipients will be recognized at the Iowa State Fair.

The award was created in 2012 and 67 Iowa farm families were recognized during the inaugural award ceremony at the Iowa State Fair.  Winners receive a certificate as well as a yard sign donated by Monsanto.

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By Jason Alderman

The U.S. tax code grows more complicated every year and currently spans thousands of pages - even government experts can't agree exactly how long it is. So it's not surprising that millions of Americans hire professional tax preparers to complete their returns.

Relinquishing the onerous task of calculating your taxes to a professional may save you time and give peace of mind - they know more about tax law than you do, right? But remember: You're still legally responsible for all information on the return. So if the preparer makes a mistake or intentionally defrauds the government, you'll be on the hook for any additional taxes, interest and penalties - even possible prosecution.

The IRS notes that although most tax return preparers are professional, honest and serve their clients well, taxpayers should use the same standards for choosing a preparer as they would for a doctor or lawyer, and be on the lookout for incompetence and criminal activity.

There are several basic types of tax preparers: certified public accountants, IRS-designated enrolled agents, tax attorneys, storefront agents (think H&R Block) and self-employed preparers.

The first three types must meet their own licensing agency's continuing education and licensing requirements and are bound by ethical standards; they're also the only professionals authorized to represent you before the IRS on all tax matters, including audits, collection and appeals. Others may only represent you for audits of returns they actually prepared. Always ask whether they belong to any professional organizations with continuing-education requirements.

Here are tips for choosing the right tax return preparer:

• Request an initial free consultation at which you can share last year's return and discuss how your situation has changed.
• Ask how their fees are determined - some charge by the number of forms (schedules) filed, others by the hour. You might pay anywhere from $100 to many thousands of dollars, depending on the complexity of your situation, where you live, the agent's credentials, etc.
• One good way to get a sense of fees is to ask what they would have charged to complete your last year's return.
• Be wary of tax preparers who claim they can obtain larger refunds than other preparers. No one can estimate your refund without first reviewing your financial information.
• Avoid preparers who base their fee on a percentage of the refund.
• Consider whether the individual or firm will be around to answer questions about the return months or years after it's been filed.
• Check their credentials and find out if any complaints have been filed with the Better Business Bureau.
• Reputable preparers will ask to see receipts and will ask multiple questions to determine whether expenses qualify for deduction.
• Ask whether your return's preparation will be outsourced, which means your personal information could be transmitted electronically to another firm, possibly outside the U.S.
• Ask about their experience with IRS audits and what their fees would be to represent you in an audit.
• Ask their policy for reimbursing you for fines, penalties and interest if it turns out your owe back taxes on a return they prepared - many have insurance for that purpose.

And finally, don't muddy the waters by linking your tax-return fee to buying another product the preparer may be trying to sell, such as a refund-anticipation loan or check, retirement savings account or insurance policy.

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Jason Alderman directs Visa's financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney.

For the second time in two years Moline High School's Encore! acting troupe/speech team got first place in the Illinois High School Association State Finals held this weekend in Peoria for its PIR--Performance in the Round.  The name of the performace was "The Starcatcher".

Cast members include : Alejandro Raya , Christian Frieden , Clare Van Echaute , Jennie White , JJ Schrick , Josef Pautsch, Matthew Hayes, Micah SantAmor Bernas, Peter Condit, Sadie Buckles, Taylor Romeo

The award winning team will be performing this Friday at the MHS cafeteria at 7:30 pm.  The high school's "Dessert Theatre" will also showcase other acts--both sectional and state performers.

At the absolute moment of creation ex nihilo (out of nothing), excidents resulted from the ontological explosion caused by a "may-be" response made by every human person.

The primary excident, that which we, and the Earth are made of in precisely given quantities of percentage, is water.

Along with molecules to monkeys, water stands out as the primary subpersonal (partial) being, as developed by God's infinitely loving activity of compassion on us human maybe-sayers.

An original presentation by Michael Grady, who will also give a presentation on how to activate water from a passive to more active state, which harkens back to the pristine beginning and memory of creation ex aliquo (existence).

About the presenter :
Michael Grady has been an Independent Scholar at the Institute since 2004. He lives in Davenport with his wife Lina Grady, and three teenage girls. He has been an export consultant for American food products exporting American wild caught fish to Asia and Eastern Europe. Mike has spent some time in Denmark, and is a recent grandfather to Ingrid, 8 months old living in Copenhagn with his son Christian Norgaard Larsen and Stina.

Currently, Mike is in North Dakota where he has established a work residency and staffing company to supply the staffing demand for the Bracken oil fields. His wife , Lina is an expert and a consultant in Traditional Feng Shui.

Independent Scholars Evenings. 7.00 p.m.
Thursday.
1530 Fifth Avenue. Moline. Illinois 309-762-9202
Doors open at 6.30 p.m.
Free and open to the public.
Dress code: business casual.

Elevators are located through the 16th Street entrance.

The Institute for Cultural and Healing Traditions, LTD is a 501(c)3 at State and Federal level organization under US laws since 1996.

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