GreenStone Country Minute - Fall 2013

Fall 2013 News and notes on living the good life...

CountryMinute

Free Application for Federal Student Aid– According to data released in August 2013 by the National Center for Education Statistics, with food, housing, books, supplies and transportation, the total cost to attend an in-state public college averaged $17,860 in 2012. If your child is heading off to college for the first time in fall 2014, now is the time to start thinking about how you are going to pay for it.

the application is for federal aid only, most states also use the data to determine eligibility for state grants.

The FAFSA is available online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.

The answer is simple: submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Although the name implies

Second, the FAFSA form cannot be submitted before Jan. 1 as the needs analysis process for financial aid uses

Here are a few things to keep in mind: First, you do not need to be admitted to a university before applying for financial aid, you can have the FAFSA data sent to up to 10 schools.

An Apple a Day— Those who experienced apple withdrawal following last year’s turbulent spring weather will be happy to know that a bumper crop of Michigan apples is expected to be harvested this fall! That means in addition to having plenty of apples for cider, pie and other treats, there will be plenty to eat the old fashioned way, too!

You know how the saying goes: “an applea-day keeps the doctor away!” But, did you know apples have many other benefits as well? Here are just a few great reasons to eat an apple-a-day!

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your family’s financial information from the most recent tax year. Though you do not need to rush to get the FAFSA completed on Jan. 1, you should submit the form as soon as possible. The state of Michigan, for instance, gives priority for state aid programs to those students whose FAFSA is received by March 1. In Wisconsin, priority is given for those students whose application is received Continued on page 2...

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• Look for other fun activities: Most corn mazes are accompanied by other attractions such as hayrides, petting zoos, apple orchards or cider mills. Adding these activities to the itinerary will ensure a day of unforgettable fun.

• Check the weather: Typically the operation of a corn maze depends on the weather. Extreme rain can cause the maze to close for a period of time; it is important to be aware of the forecast. To be on the safe side, call the corn maze ahead of time to see if it is open.

Tips for the Perfect Corn Maze Adventure When the leaves transform to various shades of orange, red and yellow, it can only mean one thing: fall is officially here.

Despite the crisp seasonal wind, there are still plenty of enjoyable outdoor activities. One adventure that will allow quality time with family and friends is traveling through the twist and turns of a corn maze. Here are a few tips to ensure everyone remembers the experience for years to come.

• Choose the right corn maze: Each maze can vary in length, design and level of difficulty. If younger children plan on participating, it is important to determine the amount of time it will take to travel through the maze.

...FAFSA continued

before April 1. Many schools will also prioritize their institutional grant and scholarship awards for students who apply by these dates.

The third thing to keep in mind is that it is acceptable to use estimates of your income and then revise your FAFSA with the actual numbers once the taxes are filed. The key here, though, is your estimates need to be close to the actual values. To ensure your estimated values are close to actual, work with your tax accountant now to make sure they can provide you with a year-end income statement that closely resembles what your actual tax return will look like.

In addition to helping you put together an accurate income statement, your tax

accountant can also work with you to identify the tax benefits of education.

From tax credits and deductions, to working with 529 savings plans, they can help you maximize your tax savings.

While there is no doubt that weaving your way through the financial aid maze is a daunting task, it is not impossible.

Working with your tax accountant now to get a head start on the process will pay huge dividends come January. If you are in need of a tax accountant, give your local branch a call at 800444-3276. With more than 20 tax accountants on staff, many with the Enrolled Agent and/or CPA designation, GreenStone would be more than happy to provide our expertise to assist you.

• Searching for something more intense? Some locations offer a frightening corn maze experience that is tailored towards older children and adults. These nighttime adventures are filled with confusion, dead ends and masked-individuals lurking throughout the maze. Most places do not offer refunds, so enter at your own risk!

Whether the plan is to spend the day with family or experience a spooky night with friends, taking these tips into consideration will help ensure a memorable experience.

TECH TIP— Keeping Your Internet Browser Current is Important Technology is constantly changing. New Internet capabilities that provide increased video, audio, special effects and interactivity are becoming available. But the browser you are using could be limiting that potential, plus causing you other issues.

Older browsers are more likely to crash, run slower, and are more vulnerable to security issues. Stay current by upgrading your browser to the latest version for free. If you have questions on what browser version you are using or how to upgrade, a good site to go to for help is http://whatbrowser.org.

...Apple-a-Day continued

Recipe Corner

Reduce risk of heart disease and stroke Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol and rich in fruits that contain fiber, particularly soluble fiber, may lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Apples are a naturally fatfree, saturated fat-free, and cholesterolfree food, and are an excellent source of fiber – both soluble and insoluble types.

Reduce high blood pressure risk Diets low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and apples are a naturally sodium-free food. The Mayo Clinic calls high blood pressure – also called hypertension – the silent killer because it stealthily attacks vital organs, including the heart. Preventing hypertension, or controlling it as much as possible, is vital to better health.

Maintain energy Apples are a smart choice for anyone who wants to maintain blood sugar levels that are already within normal limits. Highfiber foods like apples act like an energy time-release machine. While refined sugars get released into our bodies immediately, soluble fiber such as in apples acts like a glucose net – causing apples’ natural sugars to be released more slowly, preventing sudden peaks or valleys in blood sugar.

Apple Crunch

Ingredients Mix flour, oatmeal, butter, brown sugar and cinnamon to make the crust. Press half of the crust in a 9x13 greased baking pan.

Boil sugar, water and cornstarch until thick consistency, then add in vanilla and sliced apples.

Pour apple mixture over the crust and crumble remaining crust over the apples.

Bake at 350° for 30 minutes.

1 cup flour 3/4 cup oatmeal 1/2 cup melted butter 1 cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 cup sugar 1 cup water 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon vanilla 4 cups sliced apples (3-4 apples)

Aid weight loss

Breathe easier

Eat more, and weigh less! It is true – eating more high-fiber foods like apples may help you to a healthy weight. The soluble fiber found in apples slows the body’s release of glucose, preventing sudden drops in blood sugar that trigger hunger and can set off food cravings.

All that, and a tennis ball-sized apple contains only about 80 calories!

Want to breathe easier? Then consider eating more apples. Although longterm research is needed, several preliminary studies suggest apples may provide a range of health benefits, including improved lung function and protecting lung health.

Source: www.michiganapples.com

Greenstone member notes GreenStone’s Story: Customer Satisfaction Customers who receive Though there are many the Country Minute do ways to gauge our success not receive GreenStone’s at achieving our Core Four agricultural member Values, GreenStone’s annual publication, Partners. customer satisfaction survey Therefore, the following is a is one sure way to hear snippet of news and feature from you, our members, stories found in the most recent issue of Partners. More on how we are doing! So when you tell us you are information and complete an outstanding 96 percent articles can be viewed at satisfied with our service, we www.GreenStoneFCS.com are pleased to know we are by selecting “Publications” focusing in the right areas. In found under the “News fact, seven of our branches and Media” drop down. earned a perfect 100 percent satisfaction rate.

Now in Little Chute GreenStone’s commitment remains strong in northeast Wisconsin. The association has opened a new branch office in Little Chute, Wisconsin, located at 340 Patriot Drive.

Scholarships Awarded GreenStone is happy to help six college freshmen continue their agricultural education through scholarships. Award winners include: Richard Dubke, Kyle Francisco, Hunter Hrabal, Marielle Kouassi, Emily Middleton, and Kelly Wilfert.

Directors’ Perspective GreenStone recently welcomed three new members to the association’s board of directors.

As an introduction to our membership, we asked them why they decided to serve the cooperative as a board member.

They also shared what has been their biggest surprise since they joined the board earlier this year.

Let Us Know!

Have something on your mind or an acknowledgement to share? Take a minute and send your “Candid Comment” or “Pause for Applause” to: marketing@greenstonefcs.com.

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CountryMinute Inside this issue: - FAFSA - Apple-a-day - Corn maze adventure

- Apple crunch - Member notes - Survey

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