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Ohio Military Kids (OMK) Programs

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With the end of a year comes time for reflection of gratitude and growth. The Ohio Military Kids (OMK) program has experienced both. Our gratitude extends to those who contribute time and talents to support the growing number of military-affiliated youth served by OMK.

OMK has a full schedule planned for the 2020 event season. Ohio Military Kids is a partnership with Ohio State University Extension 4-H Youth Development and Family Readiness with Ohio National Guard. With this amazing partnership, Ohio Military Kids puts on several events throughout the state of Ohio. These events range from daylong educational programs, to overnights, to weekend camps, and even weeklong residential camps. These events are open to youth of military families, and they do not have to be a member of 4-H to participate. 4-H members and adults have the opportunity to volunteer for OMK events, including as camp counselors in the summer!

The mission of Ohio Military Kids is to support the youth of military families throughout the deployment cycle. Ohio 4-H is an essential supporter of the Ohio Military Kids Program and its mission. Ohio 4-H works hand-in-hand with Ohio National Guard to deliver fun and supportive programs to military families. With military youth in every county in Ohio, the partnership of 4-H to promote OMK opportunities to your military friends and neighbors in all 88 counties is appreciated!

Visit go.osu.edu/OMK for more information as you express your gratitude for those who serve our country and help us continue to grow the reach of Ohio Military Kids by sharing this website with a military family!

Ohio Achievement Award, Trip & Scholarship Workshop

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Do you want to apply for trips or award opportunities?  Are you looking for some scholarships?

Then don’t miss this opportunity.  You need to fill out an Ohio 4-H Achievement Award for these opportunities.  We will have an opportunity to work on these forms.  We can answer any questions, provide suggestions, and offer feedback.

This is a great opportunity to finish your trip application, Ohio Achievement Record, and get a head start on scholarship applications.

The completed forms are due to our office by Friday, January 31 at the latest.

Precision University – Combating Compaction

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The fall of 2018 and spring of 2019 created some less than ideal conditions for field work leaving many farmers concerned with field compaction. This concern is justified as compaction can significantly reduce yields. Compaction has been a concern for many years as equipment size grows, increasing axle weight.

Researchers have been conducting on-farm trials comparing farming practices to uncover ways farmers can reduce compaction. Comparisons include tires and tracks, equipment size and tillage practices. At the 2020 Precision University, OSU Extension has invited in some of the leading experts from across North America on compaction research and management.

Featured Speakers include:
Dr. Scott Shearer -The Ohio State University

Dr. Ian McDonald -Ontario Ministry of Agriculture

Dr. Mark Hanna -Iowa State University

Dr. Jason Warren -Oklahoma State University

We have also moved the event to the Champion Center at the Clark County Fairgrounds outside Springfield. This facility allows us to feature equipment demonstrations in a heated environment and enables exhibitors to display the latest in technology from their companies. We’re excited to get our hands dirty with some compaction demonstrations involving different types of equipment!

Details including online registration and hotel information can be found at go.osu.edu/precisionu. The registration deadline is January 3 and the cost to attend is $50. This includes breakfast, lunch and giveaways.

Sponsors and exhibitors include Camso, Soucy, Green Field Ag, Capstan Ag, Apple Farm Service, Precision Ag Reviews, Ag Info Tech, Mosaic, and Agro Chem.

Farm Bill Update Program – Dec. 20

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The 2018 Farm Bill allows the choice to enroll in ARC or PLC for 2019-2023.  Enrollment for 2019 is currently open with the deadline set as March 15, 2020. Join OSU Extension and the Farm Service Agency for an informational meeting to learn about changes to the ARC/PLC, important dates and deadlines, crop insurance – supplemental coverage option, and using decision tools to evaluate program choices to make informed program decisions.

A program is scheduled for December 20 to learn more.

Flyer

Location: OSU Extension Greene County, 100 Fairground Road, Xenia

Cost: Free with advanced RSVP

Contact information: Trevor Corboy, corboy.3@osu.edu or 937-372-9971 ext.114

2019 Farm Yield Survey

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The 2019 Yield Survey is now available for your input. There are two ways to complete the survey: 1. a Qualtrics survey that can be accessed at go.osu.edu/yield19, or 2. contact the OSU Extension Greene County office at 937-372-9971 for a paper survey.

We would like to gather information for as many fields as possible, in as many counties as possible to maximize what we can learn from 2019 and the planting delays caused by the excessive rainfall. The results will be summarized and shared in early 2020. The survey needs to be completed by December 31, 2019 to ensure we will have the information available.

Registration is open for Farmer and Farmland Owner Income Tax Webinar

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Columbus, Ohio – Are you getting the most from your tax return? Farmers and farmland owners who wish to increase their tax knowledge should consider attending this webinar that will address tax issues specific to this industry. Content focuses on important tax issues and will offer insight into new tax legislation and further guidelines that have been released this year.

Mark your calendars for January 13th, 2020 to participate in this live webinar from 1 to 3 pm. The event is being offered by OSU Income Tax Schools which are a part of OSU Extension and the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental. If you are not able to attend the live webinar, all registered participants will receive a link to view the recorded webinar at a time of their convenience. This link will be available through the tax filing season.

The two-hour program is targeted towards owners who file their own farm taxes or simply wish to arm themselves with more tax information that will help them to better plan for tax filing.

Topics to be discussed during the webinar include:

  • Tax planning in an unusual year: prevented planting crop insurance indemnity payments, Revenue Crop Insurance Payments, Market Facilitation Payments, cost-share payments, disaster aid payments
  • Like Kind Exchanges (farm machinery and equipment no longer are eligible for this provision – this is a significant change), how this change may affect state income tax and how this change may affect your Social Security credits and eventual payments
  • Qualified Business Income Deduction
  • Qualified Business Income Deduction for sales to cooperatives (different from the QBI Deduction for sales to non-cooperatives and more complex)
  • Which farmland lease income may qualify for the QBI Deduction
  • Estate and gift tax update
  • C-Corporation to S-Corporation Conversions
  • Tax issues related to getting out of the farming business
  • Tax from income related to pipeline construction and easements
  • Other tax strategies to consider under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

The cost for the webinar is $35. To register, go to https://go.osu.edu/farmertaxwebinar.  For more information, contact Julie Strawser at strawser.35@osu.edu or call the OSU Extension Farm Office at 614-292-2433.

4-H Enrollment is Open! Be the 200th Youth Enrolled for a Prize.

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Online enrollment is open for Greene County 4-H members.  After talking with a club leader to ensure meeting club requirements, members are open to enroll for 2020.

Deadline is March 1.

The 200th approved member will win a 4-H goodie bag and a Subway gift card.

A few reminders when completing enrollment:

  1. All projects listed when you click submit are what you would be enrolled in for 2020.  If you are not taking a project that you took last year, that project needs deleted.
  2. If you are changing clubs, please delete that club prior to submitting.
  3. If you need to order books, you must contact our office.  We place orders every Friday.

Visit the website for some tips on completing enrollment.

We are looking forward to a great 4-H year!

Maybe you will be the 200th approved member!

Breeding Rabbit Dates

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Are you planning on taking a breeding rabbit for 4-H?

These are important dates to keep in mind:

  • Meat Pen and Single Fryer = 5/26/20
  • Seniors = 12/03/19 and earlier
  • 6/8 = 12/04/19 – 02/03/20
  • Juniors = 02/04/20 – 05/03/20
  • Pre-Juniors = 05/04/20 and after
  • Fancy D&L = 06/08/20 – 06/22/20
  • Commercial D&L = 05/26/20 – 06/22/20
  • Matching Breeding Pair = 02/03/20 and earlier