If you and your family are grappling with the critical issue of how to transition the farm operation and farm assets to the next generation, OSU Extension is here to help. Attend one of our “Planning for the Future of Your Farm” workshops this winter to learn about the communication and legal strategies that provide solutions for dealing with farm transition needs and decision making. We’ve scheduled both a webinar version and several in-person options for the workshop.
The Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has given us another holiday surprise! The nationwide injunction on the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) and its beneficial ownership information (“BOI”) reporting requirements is once again in effect. Find out more below.
The Farm On Financial Management Course has been available to Ohio farmers for the last 18 months in a convenient, self-paced and continuously on-demand platform. Beginning in 2025, the course will be re-structured to a winter and summer session format. The Winter 2025 session will run from January 1 through March 31st, with a December 1, 2024-January 15, 2025 enrollment period. The Summer 2025 session will run from July 1-September 30, with a June 1-July 15, 2025 enrollment period. Each session will last approximately 90 calendar days.
The new format will allow for several improvements to the course including time to update content, a cohort-style learning environment and optional Zoom sessions with the lead instructor. Consistent with the previous format, the enrollees will navigate the course at their own pace and on their own schedule within the 90-day session. Estimated time for completion of the course remains 20-24 hours.
Completion of the Farm On Financial Management Course meets the requirements of the Ohio Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program and the Borrower Training Requirements of the USDA Farm Service Agency’s Direct Farm Loan Programs. To date, over 110 Ohio farmers have enrolled in the course.
The Farm On Financial Management Course was created by Ohio State University Extension professionals and is offered through OSU Extension’s new Farm Financial Management and Policy Institute (FFMPI). Housed within OSU Extension, the goal of FFMPI is for the integration, translation, and communication of CFAES’ farm management and ag policy presence that addresses critical farm management and policy issues affecting Ohioans.
For more information on the course and to enroll, visit https://go.osu.edu/farmon. Questions about the course can be directed to lead instructor Eric Richer, Associate Professor and Field Specialist in Farm Management at richer.5@osu.edu.
OSU Extension invites grain producers and industry personnel to save the dates for the quarterly grain market conversations with Dr. Seungki Lee, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics (AEDE). This quarterly zooms will be held on February 14, May 16, August 15, and November 14. Each zoom will be held from 7:30 – 8:00 a.m. During these Zoom webinars, Dr. Lee will provide his insights on the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) crop report. “These early morning webinars will be a great way for Ohio farmers to learn more about the factors impacting the corn, soybean, and wheat markets” said David Marrison, Interim Director for OSU Extension’s Farm Financial Management and Policy Institute. Producers are encouraged to bring their questions to this early morning conversation. There is no fee to attend any of these webinar sessions.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — As farmers plan for the upcoming growing season, many are facing hardships and financial strain caused by this year’s drought. In an effort to lessen the burdens caused by these conditions, the Ohio Treasurer’s office will be offering an enhanced Ag-LINK application window for counties most affected by the drought.
“This year’s drought has impacted farmers in many Ohio counties and placed a strain on the agricultural community,” said Treasurer Sprague. “We’re proud to offer an enhanced Ag-LINK window as a way to help farmers, agribusinesses, and co-ops in the communities most impacted by the drought.”
Through Ag-LINK, farmers, agribusinesses, and co-ops can receive an interest rate reduction on new or existing operating loans. For nearly 40 years, the program has helped Ohio’s agriculture community to finance the upfront costs for feed, seed, fertilizer, fuel, equipment, and other expenses.
Starting in January 2025, the Treasurer’s office will offer an application window with enhanced Ag-LINK loan conditions for our agricultural partners in the counties most affected by the drought conditions.
During the enhanced savings window, qualified farmers will benefit from the following program conditions:
“The recent drought impacted the operations of many of Ohio’s farmers, so I applaud Treasurer Sprague’s efforts to provide extended accommodations and support through the Ag-LINK program,” said Dr. Cathann A. Kress, Vice President of Agricultural Administration and Dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University. “Ohio State University Extension and the college, in alignment with our land-grant mission, look forward to supporting the Treasurer’s efforts to reach farmers where they’re at as they prepare for next year’s growing season.”
The standard Ag-LINK program will remain available for farmers across Ohio in counties not designated as eligible for the enhanced window. Information regarding standard program loan caps and interest rate reductions for 2025 will be available in the coming weeks.
“The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) appreciates the announcement by the Ohio Treasurer’s office of new Ag-LINK opportunities to better assist cattle families battling through this year’s historic drought,” said OCA President Mark Goecke of Allen County. “Cattle families in Southern and Eastern Ohio are continuing to struggle with managing their cow herds and preparing for winter hay shortages. These changes to the Ag-LINK program show an understanding of Ohio’s beef industry and will make the program more helpful to those cattle producers who have experienced the greatest losses.”
For more details on the Ag-LINK program and instructions on how to get started, visit www.tos.ohio.gov/ag-link/.
— Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague