West Virginia Success Story

Partnerships and Community Workshops

Program: RC&D Resource Conservation and Development

Overview:
The Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Council along with WV University Cooperative Extension Service (CES) partnered on a series of workshops in the past 12 months.

Accomplishments: The first workshop focused on marketing and production of specialty crops by local entrepreneurs. Horticultural specialist Steve Bogash from Penn State University CES was the presenter. He discussed products, marketing approaches, and market locations to maximize profitability.

The second set of workshop’s topic was Taxes on Timber Sales. It was conducted by Larry Rogers, CPA with Arnett & Foster. Information was provided on the purchase and sale of timber land and timber for individual land holders. Also discussed federal and state tax laws and ways to minimize financial losses.

Program Benefits to Community:
An average of three workshop locations were provided around the RC&D area for each topic. This provided access to as many participants as possible. On average each meeting was attended by 30 interested landowners. Each attendee came away with information that they felt would have a major economic impact on their operation. During one Timber meeting an individual commented that this workshop would save him over $10,000 that he would have had to pay in taxes.

Contact:
Michael Gasper, Mountain RC&D Coordinator
304-469-9738
Mike.Gasper@wv.usda.gov

Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Office
226 Maple Avenue
Oak Hill, WV 25901
Phone (304) 469-9738 Fax (304) 469-3718
http://www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/mountain_rcd.html

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