Tensions of Farm Succession Webinar Offered

For many farms, transferring the farm to a next generation is the ultimate legacy goal, especially when transferring within the family. But it’s not all rainbows and roses. Farmers focus on the technical details of transferring assets, much like machinery repair: if you put the right nut with the corresponding bolt … voila, you have a plan. But succession planning involves humans, with corresponding emotions. Research around farm succession has identified several “tensions” that can cause stress during the planning process. Those areas of tensions include:

  • Financial concerns
  • Control
  • Change
  • Inheritance distribution
  • Communication

If farm families/farm partners can identify their potential tensions and approach the plan with their tensions in mind, they can avoid some of the common “stalls” or pitfalls many farms face. This webinar will discuss these tensions and ideas on how to address them, including the value of a facilitator to help navigate potentially stressful but necessary conversations. Continue reading

Join us at the Small Farm Conference

Here are the details for the 2022 Small Farm Conference & Trade Show. Be sure to stop by the Farm Stress booth and say hi. We have some great resources to send home with you.

No need to feel alone in the field. Our new and small farm conferences provide connections that will last long after the event.

  • Do you own a few acres that you want to be productive but you’re not sure what to do?
  • Do you have a passion for farming and turning your piece of this wonderful earth into a food producing oasis?
  • Do you own land or forest that you’re not quite sure how to manage?
  • Do you raise or produce products that you would like to market and sell off your farm but you’re not sure how to make it successful?

Continue reading

Tensions of Farm Succession Webinar

Tensions of Farm Succession Webinar
Tuesday, February 22
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET

For many farms, transferring the farm to a next generation is the ultimate legacy goal, especially when transferring within the family. But it’s not all rainbows and roses. Farmers focus on the technical details of transferring assets, much like machinery repair: if you put the right nut with the corresponding bolt … voila, you have a plan. But succession planning involves humans, with corresponding emotions. Research around farm succession has identified several “tensions” that can cause stress during the planning process. Those areas of tensions include:

  • Financial concerns
  • Control
  • Change
  • Inheritance distribution
  • Communication

If farm families/farm partners can identify their potential tensions and approach the plan with their tensions in mind, they can avoid some of the common “stalls” or pitfalls many farms face. This webinar will discuss these tensions and ideas on how to address them, including the value of a facilitator to help navigate potentially stressful but necessary conversations. Continue reading

Zoller Receives Top OSU Extension Ag Educator Award

Chris Zoller (l) is awarded the 2021 Steve D. Ruhl Outstanding ANR County Extension Educator Award by Sam Custer (r), Interim Director, OSU Extension ANR

Chris Zoller, Tuscarawas County Agricultural and Natural Resources Educator, has been awarded the Steve D. Ruhl Outstanding Agricultural and Natural Resources County Extension Educator for 2021. This honor is presented annually to the agricultural educator who shows exemplary leadership and dedication to his work on behalf of OSU Extension.

Nominated by his peers, Chris’ work on addressing farm stressors and mental health were often cited as examples of his leadership. He has presented at numerous in-services on the topic of farm stress and worked closely with the Rural and Farm Stress task force to break down the stigma of mental health issues on the farm. Continue reading

National Poll Shows COVID-19 Taking Heavy Toll on Farmers’ Mental Health

In a recent article from the American Farm Bureau, a strong majority of farmers/farmworkers say the pandemic has impacted their mental health. The article states that more than half say they are personally experiencing more mental health challenges than they were a year ago. This is all according to an American Farm Bureau poll.

The results of the new poll clearly demonstrate that the COVID-19 pandemic is having broad-ranging impacts among rural adults and farmers/farmworkers. Key findings include: Continue reading

Do You Get the Winter Blues?

By Bridget Britton Behavioral Health Field Specialist

Those that work in the agriculture industry know that it doesn’t matter the time of year, it is always busy. The Winter season is no different it just has its own unique demands. However, there may be other things going on in our bodies right now. During this time of year, many people often begin expressing a feeling of sadness or mild depression. Did you know that feeling sad during this time of year is very typical, and many people suffer from Seasonal Affect Disorder?

What is Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD)?

  • A type of depression that typically lasts 4-5 months a year during the winter months
  • There are many different types of potential signs just to list a few:
    • Feeling sad, lonely, depressed for more than 2 weeks
    • Tired, sluggish, upset
    • Loss of appetite, having low energy, or thoughts of suicide.

Continue reading

Congratulations Jami Dellifield, ‘Y Prize’ Recipient!

Jami Dellifield, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator with OSU Extension in Hardin County, was honored and awarded at the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Annual Banquet with the first ever Yvonne Lesicko Perseverance Prize, or Y Prize for short, for her innovative work on farmer mental health initiatives that brought together so many for the “Got Your Back” campaign.

“As the 2021 Y Prize award winner, Dellifield will be given a platform to share her work and the efforts of Ohio State University Extension for farm stress and mental health. Dellifield will be a presenter at the 2022 Young Ag Professionals Winter Leadership Experience. All of this is part of the award’s goal of lessening the stigma surrounding mental health issues.” Ohio Farm Bureau

See her interview here: https://youtu.be/fuW2rc5he9s

Observing An Attitude of Gratitude

By: Christine Gelley Originally written for Farm and Dairy’s All About Grazing Column.

November is upon us. The crispness of fall is in full glory. Hay season is subsiding. Grain harvest is moving along slowly. Even if the workload on the farm slows down after harvest, we still feel rushed as daylight fades earlier and earlier each day.

 

Everyone I talk to is waiting for a time when life will slow down, they can take a deep breath, and feel that feeling of accomplishment that the hard work has been worth the effort. That they’ve made it to where they want to be. If only we could feel a little of that feeling every day…

 

Come to think of it, what’s stopping us? Maybe observing a little more of an attitude of gratitude could help us through those days when the workload is too heavy, and the world is too hard. Taking a few minutes each day to appreciate the little things that blend into the canvas of the day may be just what we need. Continue reading

A Theme with YOU in Mind

The Collegiate Farm Bureau at The Ohio State University (https://www.facebook.com/osucfb) exists to support students engaged in agriculture and to develop future industry leaders. We are excited to share with you their apparel theme “The Farmer over the Farm.” This message emphasizes that “no matter what, the farmer and their well-being come first.” Show your support and help spread this message of positive mental health and wellness by purchasing a tee shirt, hoodie or sweatshirt today at: https://www.storefrontier.com/ohiostatecollegiatefb?type=1083 Shirts are available for kids too! Always remember, “a healthy farm or ranch is nothing without a healthy you” (Ohio Farm Bureau).