Author: kreager.5

Our “Farm On” Farm Financial Management Course is Now Online!

By: Peggy Kirk Hall, Friday, April 07th, 2023

We’re excited to announce that our new farm financial management online course is now available.  Named “Farm On,” the self-paced, on-demand farm financial management course was created by our Farm Office team under the leadership of new Farm Management Field Specialist Eric Richer.  It is offered through OSU Extension’s new Farm Financial Management and Policy Institute.

We created the Farm On course to address the needs of Ohio’s new and beginning farmers who want to better prepare themselves to operate a commercial farm in Ohio and do that with a high level of economic stability while remaining profitable and responsible along the way.  What’s unique about the Farm On course is that, not only does it comply with the regulations of the new Ohio House Bill 95 Beginning Farmer Tax Credit program, it also meets the borrower training requirements for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Loan Program.

The 10-module Farm On course includes video lessons, quizzes, and opportunities to apply knowledge gained through graded course exercises. Students can engage with the lead course instructor  through virtual office hours and scheduled appointments. The course covers the following topics:

  • Farm Business Planning
  • Balance Sheets
  • Income Statements
  • Cash Flow Projections
  • Calculating Cost of Production
  • Farm Record Keeping
  • Farm Taxes
  • Farm Financing
  • Risk Management
  • Farm Business Analysis

The Farm On course allows CFAES to serve the needs of all farmers through OSU Extension and our Farm Financial Management and Policy Institute, said Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president for agricultural administration and dean of CFAES.

“We are excited to partner with ODA and USDA-FSA to address the farm financial training that is required for running a farm business,” Kress said. “Currently, we are the only educational institution in Ohio with a course like ‘Farm On’ that qualifies for ODA’s Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program and FSA’s Borrower Training Requirements.

“As part of our Land-Grant mission, CFAES educates not just college students but over two million individuals across the lifespan.”

The Ohio House Bill 95 Beginning Farmer Tax Credit program went into effect in July 2022 and grants a 3.99% tax credit to landowners who sell or lease assets to a certified Ohio beginning farmer. The new law also allows an Ohio tax credit to the certified beginning farmer equal to the cost of the financial management course completed. The Farm On course costs $300 per person.

“OSU’s Farm On course is a great way to help Ohio farmers qualify for Ohio Department of Agriculture’s (ODA) new Beginning Farmer Tax Credit program, which is an important tool to help current beginning farmers and potential future farmers do what they do best,” said ODA Director Brian Baldridge. “We are thankful for this partnership that is helping to keep Ohio’s hard-working farmers at the forefront.”

According to Darren Metzger, Ohio Farm Service Agency Loan Chief, “The course is in-depth financial management training that can assist our borrowers to obtain and/or improve their knowledge in this critical area of farm management. OSU’s Farm On course is now 1 of 5 approved vendors for our borrowers in Ohio.”

CFAES’ new Farm Financial Management and Policy Institute was created last year with the goal of sharing resource-based knowledge and best practices to help Ohio farmers manage their businesses as the agricultural industry changes and evolves. 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.

“Farm On is meeting a need of today’s modern crop farmers and it’s packaged in a way that respects the busy schedules of family farmers.  It’s this type of tangible benefit that earns the support of Ohio’s corn and small grains checkoff funds.  We are proud to partner with OSU Extension on this important new institute,” said Tadd Nicholson, executive Director of Ohio Corn and Wheat.

Farm On isn’t just for new and beginning farmers. The course provides an opportunity for any farmer in Ohio, whether you’re a new farmer, a seasoned farmer, a small farmer, or a large farmer.  For a long time, we’ve needed to have this course in Ohio because farm management is so critical to ensuring the future of our farms.

To learn more, view our video and to sign up for Farm On, go to go.osu.edu/farmon.

 

Look for Poison Hemlock now

Dean Kreager Licking County Extension

Poison hemlock is an invasive weed that continues to spread rapidly across Licking County as well as the rest of the state.  It is on the Ohio Noxious Weed List.  Ten years ago, you would find it in a few patches here and there but now you see it along almost every roadside, fence row, stream, and nature path.  The County, Townships, and Park Districts are working to control poison hemlock in their areas, but it is critical that property owners also eradicate this weed from their property.

Why is it important? 

All parts of poison hemlock are toxic to people and animals!  This is one of the deadliest plants in North America.  This plant is toxic through ingestion or absorption through sensitive areas such as the eyes or nasal passages.  Poison hemlock is not known to cause skin rashes.  Wild parsnip may grow in the same areas, has some similar appearance characteristics, and can cause severe skin irritation from contact.  It is important to be familiar with the differences between these two plants.  Wild parsnip has yellow flowers, does not have purple spotting on the stems, and has less of a lacelike appearance on the leaves.

Identification

Poison hemlock has a 2-year life cycle and will vary greatly in appearance depending on the stage in its life.  The plants will reach 6-10 ft. tall in their second year and in early summer will have white flowers that look similar to wild carrot.  The large stalks will have a characteristic purple spotted appearance. In the fall and early spring, poison hemlock will be found as a thick rosette.

March to April appearance.

Close up of leaves

purpling of mature stalk

Mature plants late May to June (many over 6 ft tall)

Control (From Purdue fact sheet FNR-437-W)

The most effective control may be mowing to prevent seed production, followed with herbicide applications to rosettes and resprouts.

  • Manual – Can be effective for single plants or very small infestations. Pull or dig up all plants, place in trash bag and dispose of with regular trash. Always wear protective clothing, including gloves and eye protection, to prevent the plant from contacting skin.
  • Mechanical – Mowing or cutting may be effective control but must be repeated often because the taproot can send up new shoots after a single mowing. Tilling or grubbing can kill hemlock and prevent seed production but is generally not recommended because of soil disturbance.
  • Chemical – Effective for large infestations and for spot spray applications to individuals and clumps. Herbicide application should be performed while the plant is actively growing and before flowering. First year basal rosettes may be sprayed from midsummer through fall. Second-year plants begin bolting flower stalks in April and begin flowering in mid-May. Follow-up treatments will be required, as seeds already present in the soil sprout. Follow label directions and use a surfactant to increase effectiveness. – Glyphosate: Use herbicides containing at least a 41 percent concentration of glyphosate and follow label directions to mix a 2 percent spray solution. Thoroughly wet all surfaces of the plant but not to the point of runoff. Use caution: Glyphosate is nonselective and will damage or kill any plant it contacts. – 2,4-D or Triclopyr: Broadleaf-specific herbicides that will not harm grasses. Most effective on first-year rosettes or very small second-year plants.

Glyphosate, 2,4-D, and Triclopyr are active ingredients in herbicides and are sold under a number of brand names.  These are commonly sold and used by homeowners.  Ask your supplier for assistance with brands they carry.

Once the plant has bloomed, chemical control is too late.  Seed is already formed and will likely be viable.  Mowing when seed has formed will likely spread the seed further. This seed typically survives about 2-3 years in the soil.

While noxious weeds in public right of ways are cared for by government organizations such as the township, county, or park district, it is very important that homeowners do their part to help prevent the spread of noxious plants.

For further information, look up articles by Joe Boggs in the Buckeye Yard & Garden online or contact your local OSU Extension office.  In Licking County, the number is 740-670-5315.

Women in Ag Wednesday Webinars – April 12

The 2023 Series will be on the 2ND WEDNESDAY of each month from 10:30 am – 11:30 am Via Zoom Platform

Register at this link one time for all the series. https://go.osu.edu/wiawednesdaywebinars2023

Join us on April 12, 2023, for the next session.

April represents Natural Resources through earth, wildlife, beatification, and gardening. So, lets chat with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources about their women centric programming and….

Ohio Women’s Outdoor Adventures which is a weekend program that introduces women to new outdoor skills such as boating, fishing, hunting, and nature programming.

  • Learn new skills from experts in a relaxed setting.
  • Discover new outdoor pursuits and meet new friends!
  • Experience a weekend getaway at an Ohio State Park Lodge

EVENT SPONSORS: Ohio State University Extension, Ohio Women in Agriculture Learning Network Team

 

 

 

Breakfast Banquet for the Licking County Agricultural Hall of Fame

The Licking County Agricultural Hall of Fame was established to recognize those individuals who have demonstrated a lifelong exemplary service to their community and the industry of agriculture.

We will celebrate our history at the Agricultural Hall of Fame with an induction breakfast and ceremony Friday, March 31, 2023 at the Reese Center on the Newark campus of The Ohio State University and Central Ohio Technical College at 7:30 a.m. and will conclude by 9:00 a.m.  This year we will be inducting two couples: Jerrold and Sue Keller, and Bill and Janet Goodman.

You are invited to attend.  The cost is $10 and reservations can be called in to the Extension Office by Monday March 20th at 740-670-5315.

Beef Quality Assurance, March 23, 7:00 PM at Muskingum Livestock

Are you selling beef animals to be harvested for meat and need to update your Beef Quality Assurance Certification?

The goal of the Ohio Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program is to increase the competitive base for marketing Ohio cattle. Beef Quality Assurance is a program to ensure that beef and dairy cattle are maintained in a manner which will result in a safe and wholesome beef product for the consumer.

The Ohio BQA program is set to meet or exceed the NCBA BQA Guidelines.

Attending this session will allow you to obtain the Ohio Beef Quality Assurance certificate or renew your existing certificate. Certificates are good for three years.

March 23, 2023 7:00 PM at Muskingum Livestock Auction

RSVP’s not required for this program