Here is the email (copied in it's ENTIRETY) that all AOBA members received on Dec 16, 2010 prior to the original segment airing. So basically, we were told to "shut up" and forward any responses to AOBA so that AOBA can send a "unified" message. What a bunch of crap. I encourage you all to send email to or call the AOBA offices and voice your concerns. Including the members of the BOD that let us down. I ask again - WHY ARE WE PAYING a media/PR consultant - what is she doing for us? The literature is outdated, the website is outdated, there is a Fiber Resource book still for sale from 2005. . . TIME for a CHANGE people!!!!
How do we do it ?? I want to know your opinins!
Here is a list of contact info at AOBA.
Media Consultants info :
Cindy Berman
Phone: 615-834-4195
Cindy@aobamail.com
******
Fox News - Alpaca Story
John Stossel of Fox News has produced a segment that will air Friday, December 17th on the Fox News Channel. The segment has a finite focus of tax breaks that Mr. Stossel feels are wasteful and frivolous in nature. One of the top ten tax breaks Mr. Stossel will feature are tax breaks available to owners of alpacas.
AOBA was contacted by John Stossel's staff and asked to provide information and contacts prior to this segment being filmed. The contacts and information that AOBA provided were not used in this segment. As Mr. Stossel is known for sensationalism and not journalism, the end result of this report will cast a somewhat negative light on the alpaca industry and the American Livestock Industry as a whole. While alpacas have been singled out for this report, it is important to note that alpaca breeders receive no special treatment with regard to business tax advantages for livestock owners and producers.
AOBA is asking that all alpaca breeders, regardless of affiliation with AOBA forward any media inquiries to Cindy Berman, Public Relations Consultant for AOBA or the AOBA office. It is important that our industry maintain a consistent and measured message with the media in light of this attack by Mr. Stossel and Fox News.
While the theme of the segment is unfortunate, the publicity will drive many people to seek more information about alpacas. This does afford alpaca breeders a rare opportunity for national exposure. Breeders are encouraged to use this opportunity to talk about the business of the alpaca industry, which does include certain tax advantages. We encourage breeders to have a business conversation with buyers and assure any prospective breeder that the alpaca is treated equally to other livestock choices within the tax code.
Please forward any media questions to Cindy Berman, cindy@aobamail.com , (216) 952- 7510 or the AOBA Office (615) 834-4195.
Thank you,
The AOBA Board of Directors
*****
Alma Park Alpacas LLC & The Yarn Shop at Alma Park™ --- Home of the "Go To Fiber Girl" ©
Showing posts with label fox news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fox news. Show all posts
Friday, January 21, 2011
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Alma Park on John Stossel re-airs Dec 26th 8 and 11pm EST
John Stossel blogged about me !! Ha Ha - I love it !!! Click here to read what he said!! If you missed the show - watch it tonight at 8pm EST and 11pm EST on Fox News.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Alma Park on Fox News with John Stossel - My Take (video link also)
John Stossel interviewed me for his piece on Fox late September of this year. I was told that the piece would include alpaca farming because it can be "a great investment with lots of tax benefits, as well as just a rewarding thing to do". A woman boarding here at the time originally had the initial contact with the producer and since she does not have a farm asked me if he could film at mine. I jumped at the chance, as long as I was interviewed I said. Our national organization, AOBA, did not want to do the interview, and I was never contacted by them for any assistance or inquiry if they could participate, which of course, I would have been happy to oblige. I have been an AOBA member since 2002 and am currently on the Fiber Committee for a 2 year term.
So we spent several hours filming a bunch of stuff. Interacting with the alpacas, teasing some females with my male, feeding and other general stuff. They also spent a good deal of time filming me in my yarn store packaging some items and skirting a fleece outside on my skirting table.
John showed up and asked questions about tax benefits, tax shelters, the potential for alpacas as meat and of course the fiber aspect of raising them. He also asked about Mike Safely's article on "Why Not Have Uncle Sam Help You Buy Your Alpacas".
The show finally ended up being "Top 10 Politicians' Promises Gone Wrong"
Click here to watch the video - lasts about 3 1/2 minutes into the video. Mixed up a little with the golf carts can be a little confusing.
The teaser piece was on Fox 12/15/10 and caused a wide variety of dissension in the alpaca world. Here is the write up on Stossel's blog and the tons of comments from disgruntled breeders calling Stossel anything from misinformed to a racist.
On the Alpaca chat sites, much more was said, and the insults hurled at me JUST from the teaser piece were erroneous, inflammatory, childish, and in some cases just plain stupid. One Suri Alpaca breeder from Pennsylvania actually called my taking the interview "amateurish" and "selfish". Selfish? Selfish in what way, that I chose to speak about something I love - alpacas? Amateurish? Amateurish in what way, like the way he hurled insults at me ? Another breeder from California called me "unintelligent" and said I should have focused on the fiber end of the industry. DUH - that is what I always do . . . I don't have control over editing. Other said I should have made my lawyer draw up a release. Oh come on people - are you serious?
Now that the actual piece has aired, the chat sites are quiet. No more insults. Some have come out and said that they thought it was a good piece! One breeder even said he was going to name his next alpaca "Stossel". I also received many emails in support of my interview and slamming the people that flamed me. People are even reporting getting phone calls from people who are interested in alpacas and are interested in "learning more about the tax breaks". Not everyone agrees with me or my philosophy and that's ok - this IS America folks!
But lets look at the interview this way. Alpacas in the public eye on a channel that targets people with money!! I say it's a good thing. No one complained when Jane Pauley, Martha Stewart, David Letterman, Stanley Steamer, Jay Leno or American Express had alpacas in the news. Even an article in the Tractor Supply Magazine. In fact people were overjoyed. This is ONE MORE opportunity to show American that Alpacas are NOT llamas, not long necked sheep etc.
Now that the actual piece has aired, the chat sites are quiet. No more insults. Some have come out and said that they thought it was a good piece! One breeder even said he was going to name his next alpaca "Stossel". I also received many emails in support of my interview and slamming the people that flamed me. People are even reporting getting phone calls from people who are interested in alpacas and are interested in "learning more about the tax breaks". Not everyone agrees with me or my philosophy and that's ok - this IS America folks!
But lets look at the interview this way. Alpacas in the public eye on a channel that targets people with money!! I say it's a good thing. No one complained when Jane Pauley, Martha Stewart, David Letterman, Stanley Steamer, Jay Leno or American Express had alpacas in the news. Even an article in the Tractor Supply Magazine. In fact people were overjoyed. This is ONE MORE opportunity to show American that Alpacas are NOT llamas, not long necked sheep etc.
I find it funny that so many folks deny taking tax benefits from the business as if it is something to be ashamed of? While tax benefits are far from enticing today in this economy to enter the industry- it was a MAJOR source of marketing years ago and a MAJOR source for many to get into the business. Today, I believe and I see that most people are getting into the industry for the business opportunity and the fiber end of the business and the love of the animals.
I lowered my prices on animals several years ago before the economy started to decline. I have many posts on this blog speaking about the economics of the industry. I was one of the first to lower prices, of course to the nasty looks and emails of others - but now MANY folks have prices which are more to the "average consumer" .
Here are a few articles I wrote over the last couple of years:
Alpaca Market and the Economy - Sept 2008
The Market for Alpacas - Jan 2010
The Market for Alpacas 6 months later - July 2010
The Economics of the Alpaca Industry Oct 2010
Buying on Value rather than Price - Dec 2010
I lowered my prices on animals several years ago before the economy started to decline. I have many posts on this blog speaking about the economics of the industry. I was one of the first to lower prices, of course to the nasty looks and emails of others - but now MANY folks have prices which are more to the "average consumer" .
Here are a few articles I wrote over the last couple of years:
Alpaca Market and the Economy - Sept 2008
The Market for Alpacas - Jan 2010
The Market for Alpacas 6 months later - July 2010
The Economics of the Alpaca Industry Oct 2010
Buying on Value rather than Price - Dec 2010
To show how alpacas were marketing in the past - here are some links to our own national breeders organization, AOBA. Literature produced by AOBA still touts tax benefits as a huge advantage and many of us advertise during the end of the year to "get your year end tax benefits and buy by 12/31".
Article 1 "can offer the rancher some very attractive tax advantages" Nothing speaks of profiting from fiber except as it relates to income from the "sale of crops".
Article 2 "Tax-deferred wealth building is another "alpaca advantage". As your herd grows, you postpone paying income tax on its increasing value until such time as you begin selling the offspring."
Article 3
While these "advantages" are for all ag businesses and/or small businesses - we TOUT it as the main reason to buy and invest.
And again let's not forget Mike's Article
Article 3
While these "advantages" are for all ag businesses and/or small businesses - we TOUT it as the main reason to buy and invest.
And again let's not forget Mike's Article
I have used these tax advantages for marketing in the past and still use them today depending on who my customer is and their economic status. Even the folks who are NOT looking for tax benefits are still plenty interested on how this will positively impact their taxes. I have read and used many of Mike Safley's tax items and even send people to his site on the tax benefits, section 179 etc etc. Anyone not taking advantage of the tax benefits should get a NEW Accountant!!
I am also a fan of Fox news and my favorite show is Bulls and Bears on Saturday morning. Being in this business over 8 years, I have seen my share of turmoil and controversy and sometimes have been right in the middle of it !! I also have been building a fiber business for about 6 years and have been very successful. A reason why many folks come to me for advice or animals or yarn designs etc. Turning this from a tax shelter to a business took years and it continues to evolve, but let me tell you that I will take advantage of any tax benefit the government has in place. That is what all small businesses do! That is what all agricultural businesses do !!
As far as subsidies - we are NOT talking subsidies. We are talking write offs. So those folks talking subsidies and hand outs have an incorrect impression of this industry, any ag industry or small business. Subsidies and grants are out there - but take grant writing application and specifics that are not as easy as a simple tax write off. See this article for some grant websites.
Many folks still work full time and have this as a secondary business. It is in most cases a labor of love or a passion for the fiber or the animals or both.
I think John did a great thing by allowing alpacas to be center stage again and if asked - would I do the interview again? I say ABSOLUTELY!!! Did I mention the film crew purchased approx $500 in alpaca products from my store before leaving?
A quote I leave you with today (I hope I do this with my writing and my actions):
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Alma Park on Fox News with John Stossel
The alpaca segment John interviewed me for will air at 9pm this Friday (December 17th) on Fox News. Here is a blog post John just posted about the segment.
Now while I do usually find John to be spot on - I don't think that tax breaks made alpacas "explode", but as I have been saying for months if not years - prices need to come down to a "reasonable" level in order to support their true purpose . . . . FIBER!!!!!
Before people comment and bash John Stossel --- I think some posters on his blog and the alpaca chat sites are missing the point of the article. He is NOT bashing the alpaca industry. He is pointing out that tax breaks may help the serious farmer or business person etc, they also invite people to use them as a tax shelter which artificially inflates prices and creates a bubble. People who simply board their animals and are completely hands off for example. When the bubble bursts, all get hurt. I lowered prices years ago - but there are still people out there on the precipice of the bubble waiting for the economy to recover and the huge prices come back. I am not waiting! I lowered prices and I am selling, and selling alot! Economics 101 - "an item is worth what others are willing to pay for it". I also have a thriving fiber business which is the commodity that MAKES alpacas viable livestock - FIBER.
A brief description of the whole show is below (Alpacas fall into #6):
Please tune in to the FOX NEWS CHANNEL this FRIDAY at 9 PM ET to see Politicians’ Top 10 Promises GONE WRONG with John Stossel
Politicians make promises, and brag about the results of their work, the “seen” benefits, but they ignore the unintended consequences—the “unseen” harm-- of their laws. Politicians PROMISED that…
10… CASH FOR CLUNKERS would save the auto industry. Instead, it increased the costs of USED cars (the ones that poor people buy), decreased charitable donations, and just moved auto sales from other months into July and August.
9… increasing the MINIMUM WAGE would guarantee everyone better pay, but it ended up killing jobs.
8…TITLE IX would end discrimination against women in sports, but instead it has taken sports away from both men AND women.
7… Big projects like STADIUMS, ARENAS, and CONFERENCE CENTERS will create jobs. Instead, they steal money from the local grocery store.
6… Politicians manipulate the TAX CODE to “save small farmers,” and “save the environment,” but instead create an explosion of ALPACAS, give rich people like Stossel free GOLF CARTS.
5…CREDIT CARD REFORM would save us from horrible bank fees, but “reform” led to higher credit card interest rates and less credit for the poor, which drove them to worse forms of credit.
4…the HEALTHCARE bill would give us cheaper more comprehensive healthcare, but instead it’s causing insurance companies to stop offering health insurance altogether.
3…ETHANOL would relieve our dependence on foreign oil AND save the environment, but instead it’s increased the cost of food, done MORE damage to the environment, and to taxpayers.
2… Politicians said more HOME OWNERSHIP was good for America, but their subsidies created a bubble that made life worse.
And tune in for the #1 PROMISE GONE WRONG.
Now while I do usually find John to be spot on - I don't think that tax breaks made alpacas "explode", but as I have been saying for months if not years - prices need to come down to a "reasonable" level in order to support their true purpose . . . . FIBER!!!!!
Before people comment and bash John Stossel --- I think some posters on his blog and the alpaca chat sites are missing the point of the article. He is NOT bashing the alpaca industry. He is pointing out that tax breaks may help the serious farmer or business person etc, they also invite people to use them as a tax shelter which artificially inflates prices and creates a bubble. People who simply board their animals and are completely hands off for example. When the bubble bursts, all get hurt. I lowered prices years ago - but there are still people out there on the precipice of the bubble waiting for the economy to recover and the huge prices come back. I am not waiting! I lowered prices and I am selling, and selling alot! Economics 101 - "an item is worth what others are willing to pay for it". I also have a thriving fiber business which is the commodity that MAKES alpacas viable livestock - FIBER.
A brief description of the whole show is below (Alpacas fall into #6):
Please tune in to the FOX NEWS CHANNEL this FRIDAY at 9 PM ET to see Politicians’ Top 10 Promises GONE WRONG with John Stossel
Politicians make promises, and brag about the results of their work, the “seen” benefits, but they ignore the unintended consequences—the “unseen” harm-- of their laws. Politicians PROMISED that…
10… CASH FOR CLUNKERS would save the auto industry. Instead, it increased the costs of USED cars (the ones that poor people buy), decreased charitable donations, and just moved auto sales from other months into July and August.
9… increasing the MINIMUM WAGE would guarantee everyone better pay, but it ended up killing jobs.
8…TITLE IX would end discrimination against women in sports, but instead it has taken sports away from both men AND women.
7… Big projects like STADIUMS, ARENAS, and CONFERENCE CENTERS will create jobs. Instead, they steal money from the local grocery store.
6… Politicians manipulate the TAX CODE to “save small farmers,” and “save the environment,” but instead create an explosion of ALPACAS, give rich people like Stossel free GOLF CARTS.
5…CREDIT CARD REFORM would save us from horrible bank fees, but “reform” led to higher credit card interest rates and less credit for the poor, which drove them to worse forms of credit.
4…the HEALTHCARE bill would give us cheaper more comprehensive healthcare, but instead it’s causing insurance companies to stop offering health insurance altogether.
3…ETHANOL would relieve our dependence on foreign oil AND save the environment, but instead it’s increased the cost of food, done MORE damage to the environment, and to taxpayers.
2… Politicians said more HOME OWNERSHIP was good for America, but their subsidies created a bubble that made life worse.
And tune in for the #1 PROMISE GONE WRONG.
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