With an estimated 2,709,128 Ohioans currently living in some sort of dry or drought conditions, times are not easy. Unfortunately, with no relief in sight, we could be sitting in this position for quite some time. The map below indicates where each county in Ohio stands in its current dry/drought condition.

Our team at OSU Extension and other professionals around the state of Ohio are working around the clock to monitor the situation and provide resources for on-the-ground support and daily observation of the weather outlook. Click here for more information and resources.

We often forget to check in on our mental health during this time of high stress and anxiety. While many people can cope with the everyday stress of farming, it is important to know it is okay not to be okay. Especially with extreme weather conditions, it can be difficult for any farmer.

There may be no way to control this drought, but we can control how we manage our stress. Here are a few simple ways:

• Recognize the signs of it, which manifest differently in everyone.
• Acknowledge and share with someone that you are feeling
• Ensure that you are getting enough sleep, eating properly, and maintaining good physical
• When you have the time to connect with loved ones, Spending quality time with others boosts your mental health.

What are some of the signs of stress:

• Poor sleeping and/or eating habits
• Feeling overwhelmed by life
• Overly anxious or stressed
• Increased use of drugs and/or alcohol
• Increase in risky behavior
• Overly tired and/or forgetful
• Thoughts of hopelessness

If you have been feeling any of these for more than a few weeks, please reach out to someone. We have your back, and you are not alone in these thoughts. Please talk with someone.

Resources that are available to you:

go.osu.edu/farmstress   go.osu/educountyresourceguide

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Call, Text, or Chat 24/7 365 Ohio Care Line 1-800-720-9616

Please reach out if you have any questions or need more information to Bridget Britton at 330-365- 8160.

Bridget Britton, MSW, LSW Behavioral Health Field Specialist

The upcoming Summer Tax School Webinar, featured by Income Tax Schools at Ohio State University, will focus on an overview of small businesses. Long-time instructor John Lawrence will be the primary instructor for this webinar.

This webinar is scheduled for July 31^st, and registration is now open. The registration page can be accessed at go.osu.edu/summertaxschool, and the flyer can be accessed here.

This Summer Tax School is designed to help tax professionals learn about tax issues related to:

• Selection and formation of a business entity
• Operation of the business entity
• Business entity transition and estate planning issues
• Relevant updates on federal tax law issues

By the end of this course, participants will have a thorough understanding of how to navigate the complex tax landscape, make informed decisions that optimize tax outcomes, and ensure the long-term success and sustainability of their businesses.

Webinar Agenda for July 31st:

9:00 Webinar room opens

9:20 Welcome and introductions

9:30 Session 1: Selection and Formation of the Business Entity: Tax Laws, Regulations, and Implications.

10:50 Break

11:00 Session 2: Business Entity Operation: Tax Planning for the Present.

Noon Lunch break

12:45 Session 3: Business Entity Transition and Estate Planning: Tax Planning for the Future.

1:45 Break

1:55 Session 4: Update on State and Federal Tax Law Rules and Regulations for Small Businesses.

2:50 Webinar concludes

Continuing Education Credit Hours: 5

Continuing Legal Education Hours: 4

Registration cost is $200 and includes 5 hours of Continuing Education (CPE) and 4 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE).  Registration information and the online registration portal can be found online at go.osu.edu/summertaxschool

For more information, participants may contact Barry Ward at 614-688-3959, ward.8@osu.edu, or Jeff Lewis at 614-292-2433, lewis.1459@osu.edu.

2024 Tax Schools Save the Date Graphic

The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) will host the 2024 Urban Food Systems Symposium in Columbus, Ohio, from June 11 to 13. The event includes keynotes, a grower panel, 40 presentations, a reception with more than 30 posters, a choice of 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. Join 250 like-minded people to share and gain knowledge on how to build coalitions to adapt to this changing world and how urban food systems contribute to these solutions.

Keynote Presentations and General Sessions Include: (see more details)

• Keynote Presentation: Let’s Get Dirty – Cultivating Collaboration, Policy, and Resiliency in Cities by Qiana Mickie, Executive Director of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Urban Agriculture
• General Session: The Intersection of Climate Change and Urban Agriculture by Trent Ford, climate scientist at the Illinois State Water Survey and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign/ Illinois State Climatologist, and Carol Davis, Sustainability Manager for the Town of Blacksburg, Virginia
• General Session: Urban Grower Panel by Jerry Hebron, co-founder of the Detroit Black Farmer Land Fund, a member of the USDA Innovative Production Committee, a member of the state Farm Service Agency committee, and the Director of the Detroit Cultivator Community Land Trust; Vincent Peterson, President and CEO of VIGEO GARDENS; and Amanda Stanfield, owner/operator of Richland County’s only urban homestead farm – GrowFourth Urban Farm
• Capstone Presentation: Urban Farmers – A Great Benefit is Coming Our Way: A Mid Tunnel Climate Smart Growing System by Reverend Dr. Carl P. Wallace, chief operating officer of Abundant Life Farm (a non-profit entity in Akron) and serves as one of the 12 federal advisors to the Secretary of Agriculture for Urban and Innovative Agriculture Committee

Register now and book your hotel room! Registration prices increase on May 25, and hotel reservations close on May 21.
UrbanFoodSystemsSymposium.org