Join us for Farm Office Live on March 15

March is already upon us, and we’re busy preparing for the March edition of Farm Office Live.  Grab a cup of coffee and join us next Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. for our March webinar.  We’re excited to have a few industry professionals this month for a panel discussion on the latest WASDE report and strategies for 2024 grain marketing.  The full Farm Office Live agenda includes:

  • Second Marriages and Transition Planning — Robert Moore, Attorney, OSU Agricultural & Resource Law Program
  • The New Rule for Independent Contractors — Jeff Lewis, Attorney, OSU Income Tax Program
  • Legislative Update — Peggy Hall, Attorney, OSU Agricultural & Resource Law Program
  • 2024 Crop Input Outlook — Barry Ward, Leader, Production Business Management
  • Industry Panel — WASDE and Strategies for Grain Marketing, moderated by Bruce Clevenger, OSU Field Specialist in Farm Management
  • Hot Topics and Upcoming Programs — David Marrison, Interim Director, Farm Financial Management & Policy Institute

Register for Farm Office Live at no cost through this link.  Can’t attend?  We record every Farm Office Live webinar and post the recordings at https://farmoffice.osu.edu/farmofficelive.

Registration is Open for the 2024 Urban Food Systems Symposium 

On June 11-13, The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) hosts the Urban Food Systems Symposium in Columbus, Ohio. The event includes keynotes, a grower panel, 40 presentations, a reception with approximately 50 posters, a choice of six off-site educational tours, and dinner at The Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory, a unique 261-acre university facility for teaching, research, and community engagement.

This symposium will bring together a national and international audience of academic, non-profit, government, and research-oriented professionals to share and learn how to build coalitions to adapt to this changing world and how urban food systems contribute to these solutions.

Join 300-400 like-minded people at the Urban Food Systems Symposium. Act now to take advantage of early registration prices through April 13. Hotel reservations close May 21, and registration closes on May 24. Tour capacity is limited and is on a first-come basis. Visit UrbanFoodSystemsSymposium.org for more information.

 

Southern Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference

Please mark your calendars for the all-day event, Southern Ohio Women in Agriculture, on April 4th, 2024, at the beautiful Bell Manor in scenic Chillicothe, Ohio. A myriad of speakers will discuss various topics pertinent to the lives and professions of women in the field of agriculture. A catered lunch and Ohio wine tasting are included with registration.

Southern Ohio Women in Agriculture Flyer

Register at https://go.osu.edu/womeninagconf

We look forward to seeing you there!

Online Fruit Pruning School

Pruning 2024 The Ohio State University South Centers is hosting its popular, two-part (morning and afternoon) Online Fruit Pruning School on Thursday, March 14, 2024. This FREE online event will be conducted virtually via the Zoom communications platform.

Part 1 on March 14 will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and will focus on pruning fruit trees, including apples and peaches. Part 2 will be held later that same day from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and will cover small fruits like grapes and raspberries.

Please register by Monday, March 11, 2024. Simply visit the link below and fill out the registration form. We also plan on offering recordings afterward so you can access the event on-demand, as we know this better fits some people’s schedules.

Register here: http://go.osu.edu/pruningschool.

For even more information, consult the attached flyer.

Looking forward to seeing you (virtually) again this year!

Register for the 30th Southwest Ohio Perennial School

Ohio State University Extension Clermont County will host the 30th Southwest Ohio Perennial School on April 11 at 9 a.m. at the Clermont County Fairground’s 4-H Hall, 1000 Locust Street, Owensville, OH.

The event will feature educational presentations with a tradeshow staffed by regional vendors and gardening organizations.

Topics this year will focus on local horticulture concerns and upcoming events. “Wildlife and your Landscape” Marne Titchenell, OSU Extension Wildlife Specialist; “Boxwoods and their Issues” Joe Boggs, OSU Extension Hamilton County; “Cicadas and your landscape” Curtis Young, OSU Extension Van Wert County; “Benefits of natives and trees for pollinators” Carrie Brown, OSU Extension Fairfield County; and “Weird Things Bugs Do” Ashley Kulhanek, OSU Extension Medina County.

Registration is due on or before April 1, 2024. Registration includes the program, continental breakfast, buffet lunch, refreshments, handouts, and door prize tickets. For additional inquiries, contact Meghan at 513-732-7070.

Participant Registrartion

Vendor Registration

Agricultural Fertilizer 3 Hour Certification Training

Friday, March 29, 2024
9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

This meeting will fulfill the three-hour requirement for applicators who need the agricultural fertilizer applicator certification. You will not need to take the ODA test by taking this training.

Who should attend the training? Fertilizer certification is required if you apply fertilizer (other than manure) to more than 50 acres of agricultural production grown primarily for sale. You do not need the certification if you hire a co-op or other custom applicator to make fertilizer applications. This training is for private and commercial applicators.

What will be covered? Best management practices will be the basis of the agricultural fertilizer certification training focusing on fertilizer applications with the appropriate rate, timing, placement, and source.

Location: OSU Extension Brown County, 325 W State Street, Georgetown, Ohio 45121

Contact: Trevor Corboy, Agriculture and Natural Resources & Community Development Educator, corboy.3@osu.edu, 937-378-6716.
Cost: $30 payable to OSU Extension

Co-hosted by OSU Extension in Brown, Clermont, Highland, and Adams Counties

Characteristics of Ohio Women in Agriculture

By: PhD student Rae Ju and Professor Ani Katchova, Farm Income Enhancement Chair, in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics (AEDE), and Nanette (Gigi) L. Neal and Sarah Noggle, Extension Educators in Agriculture and Natural Resources in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Department of Extension at the Ohio State University.

Click here to access the pdf version of the report.

Using data from the 2022 Census of Agriculture, the characteristics of female farmers in Ohio are examined and compared to the overall farming population.

Profile of Ohio Women Farmers

The majority of agricultural producers in Ohio are male farmers, constituting approximately two-thirds of the total, while female farmers represent about one-third. The percentage of female farmers has remained stable, with a minor decrease from 33.6% to 33.1% between 2017 and 2022.

The geographic distribution of female farmers throughout Ohio’s counties was also examined. Counties in Northwest and Southeast Ohio have a lower number of female farmers, with the number of female farmers being less than 500. However, the counties in Southeast Ohio had a relatively high proportion of female farmers, exceeding 33% of the total farming population. In contrast, the counties in Northwest Ohio had a lower percentage of female farmers (less than 33%).

The average age of female farmers in Ohio was 55.4 years, while the average age of male farmers was slightly higher at 56.8 years in 2022. Regarding the age distribution of female farmers, the data suggest a predominant concentration of farmers in the 55-64 age range. In age groups below 55 years old, the percentage of female farmers is slightly higher than that of male farmers. On the other hand, the percentage of male farmers is slightly higher than female farmers for farmers that are 65 or older. Overall, the age distribution pattern is similar for female and male farmers.

The farming occupation and off-farm employment reveal distinct differences between male and female farmers in Ohio. Only 31% of female farmers in Ohio considered farming their primary occupation in 2022, suggesting a reliance on various income sources. Additionally, 40% of female farmers in Ohio were actively involved in off-farm work for over 200 days per year.

Characteristics of Farms Operated by Female Producers

In 2022, there were 40,269 farms operated by female farmers and 72,184 farms operated by male farmers. The average size of farms operated by female farmers was 132.9 acres, in contrast to the larger average of 185.4 acres operated by male farmers. Female farmers were more likely than male farmers to operate farms that are smaller than 50 acres, while the reverse is true for farms greater than 50 acres.

Female farmers in Ohio operate a variety of farm types, including crop production, animal production, and aquaculture. Over half of the farms operated by female producers in Ohio specialized in crop farming. Specifically, 24% of the farms operated by female producers specialized in oilseed and grain, followed by 22% in other crop farming. In addition, 15% of the farms operated by female producers specialized in beef cattle ranching and farming and 14% specialized in aquaculture and other animal production in 2022. Female and male producers are more likely to specialize in crop production than livestock production.  About 55% of farms operated by female farmers in Ohio specialized in crop production which is lower than the 63% of farms operated by male farmers.

Examining land ownership patterns, full ownership was more common among female farmers, with 80% holding full ownership of their operated acres. On the other hand, 17% of female farmers were part owners of the operated acres compared to 26% for male farmers.

Female farmers predominantly appear in the lower sales categories, specifically those with sales under $25,000. Conversely, in the higher sales brackets, the representation of female farmers decreases significantly. Only 9% of female farmers had sales between $100,000 and $499,999, and 6% had sales above $500,000.

Farms with female producers in Ohio had $146,744, while farms with male producers had $213,060 in market value of agricultural products sold and government payments in 2022. Using the USDA’s definition of economic classes, the average market value of products sold from farms operated by female farmers was $145,313 on a per-farm basis. A higher percentage of female farmers than male farmers belonged to the lower economic class, specifically in the category with less than $5,000 in market value of all products sold. In contrast, the distribution pattern for male farmers is the opposite, with a more significant percentage of male farmers than female farmers in the higher economic classes.

References:

United States. (2022). U.S. Census of Agriculture. https://www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus/

Annie’s Project Series – LAST CALL!

Women are Decision Makers – Annie’s Project Prepares Them Well

Farm women are generating a cultural tide in American agriculture that moves management, assets, and opportunities to a new wave of farmers nationwide. At Annie’s Project courses, women in agriculture become empowered to be successful through education, networks, and resources.

Annie’s Project is a six-week course that is a discussion-based workshop bringing women together to learn from experts in production, financial management, human resources, marketing, and the legal field. There’s plenty of time for questions, sharing, reacting, and connecting with presenters and fellow participants. It’s a relaxed, fun, and dynamic way to learn, grow, and meet other farmwomen. Whether new or experienced, understanding the five areas of agricultural risk, analyzing agricultural spreadsheets, and other necessary skills are vital. Learning them in a friendly environment where questions and discussion are welcomed allows the learning process to flourish.

Annie’s Project courses have reached over 15,000 farm and ranch women in 33 states. The next one in your area begins on February 29th at The Clermont County Fairgrounds.

The course costs $95 per person, including a workbook and support materials for all sessions. A light meal will be served before each class at 5:30 p.m. Course size is limited, so please register soon.

Linda, an Annie’s Project alumna says, “I took the class to gain a better understanding about agribusiness and how financial decisions impact our farm operation. I have a better understanding of balance sheets and the futures market…this class has improved communication with my spouse on concerns he works with on a daily basis.”

For more information, contact Gigi Neal at (513) 732-7070 or email neal.331@osu.edu.

To register, contact Meghan at (513) 732-7070 or in person at 1000 Locust Street, Building #324, Owensville, Ohio 45160.

AP Clermont 24

 

OSU Extension to host Eastern – Ohio Small Farm Conference– April 6, 2024

Ohio State Extension announced plans to host a Small Farm Conference in Senecaville, Ohio on April 6, 2024. The theme for this year’s Mid-Ohio Small Farm Conference is “Sowing Seeds for Success.”

Conference session topics are geared to beginning and small farm owners as well as to farms looking to diversify their operation. There will be five different conference tracks including: Horticulture and Produce Production, Business Management, Livestock, Natural Resources and new this year The Farm Kitchen.

Some conference topic highlights include: Raising Meat Rabbits, Making Goat Milk Soap, Timber Harvesting and Marketing, Basics of Growing PawPaw’s, Food Preservation Basics, Herb Vinegars, Organic Pest Management, Growing Produce with Hydroponics, Starting and Setting up a business, Solar and Wind Leasing.

Anyone interested in developing, growing or diversifying their small farm is invited to attend including market gardeners, farmers market vendors, and anyone interested in small farm living.

Attendees will have the opportunity to browse a trade show featuring the newest and most innovative ideas and services for their farming operation. The conference provides an opportunity to talk with the vendors and network with others.

The Conference will take place from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Mid – East Career Technical Center Buffalo Campus 57090 Vocational Road Senecaville, Ohio 43780

For conference and registration information call OSU Extension Morrow County 419-947-1070, or OSU Extension Knox County 740-397-0401. Please follow this link to register for the conference: https://go.osu.edu/2024osusmallfarmconference

GAPs on-line course is now available in Spanish

The OSU Extension Produce Safety Team has designed a self-paced online training for Good Agricultural Practices, which helps reduce the risk of produce contamination.

This self-paced online course provides hydroponic growers with the knowledge and tools needed to implement best management practices specific to controlled environments (greenhouses, in-door farms, high tunnels, etc.) to reduce microbial food safety hazards in hydroponic vegetable and fruit production systems.

• Participants will receive a certificate of participation after completing this course.

• The cost of the course is $150.

The quick link is: https://go.osu.edu/spanish-hydroponic-gaps

Flyer: OnlineHYDROPONICGAPs-Spanish Flyer 020524

 

Este curso en línea sobre Buenas Prácticas Agrícolas, o ‘BPA’, para la producción hidropónica ayuda a reducir el riesgo de contaminación en frutas y vegetales.

Este curso en línea de autoaprendizaje proporciona a los productores de cultivos hidropónicos el conocimiento y herramientas necesarias para implementar buenas prácticas de manejo específicas de ambientes controlados (invernaderos, agricultural vertical, túneles altos, etc.) para reducir los riesgos microbianos de sistemas de producción hidropónica en frutas y vegetales frescos.
• Los estudiantes recibirán una certificación de participación después de haber completado el curso.
• El valor del curso es de $150.

Para registrarte al curso dirígete a https://go.osu.edu/spanishhydroponic-gaps
Para preguntas, contactar a Melanie Ivey por Ivey.14@osu.edu o Sanja Ilic por Ilic.2@osu.edu.