Tax credit encourages no-till practices

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Farmers interested in purchasing no-till planting equipment may qualify for a 50 percent tax credit under the Resource Enhancement and Protection, or REAP, tax credit program, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said recently.
An educational meeting to explain the requirements and application process for the program is slated from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 18, in the V.I.P. Room at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg.
Purpose. The protection program is designed to encourage farmers to use conservation best management practices that reduce erosion and sedimentation impacting Pennsylvania’s streams and watersheds.
Eligible producers who purchase no-till planting equipment may qualify for a 50 percent tax credit. Resource Enhancement and Protection is administered by the state conservation commission and the tax credits up to $150,000 per agricultural operation will be granted by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
Up to $10 million in credits may be issued in 2007-2008 on a first-come, first-serve basis for qualifying best management practices completed after the program’s start last month. Applications will be available Dec. 3 and completed applications will be accepted beginning Jan. 2.
Meeting. Farmers, equipment dealers and manufacturers, county conservation district staff and others interested in the program are encouraged to attend the meeting Dec. 18.
Reservations are requested at 717-787-8821.
For more information, contact program administrator Mary Bender at 717-705-4032 or via e-mail at mabender@state.pa.us, or visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us and click on “REAP” under “What’s New.”