Planning for the Future of Your Farm Workshops

Each year, OSU Extension holds “Planning for the Future of Your Farm” workshops to help families with farm transition planning.  We offer both a webinar and in person workshops at several locations across Ohio.  This farm transition workshop challenges farm families to actively plan for the future of the farm business.  Learn how to have crucial conversations about the future and strategies and tools that can help you transfer your farm’s ownership, management, and assets to the next generation. Teaching faculty for the workshop are David Marrison, OSU Extension Farm Management Field Specialist and Robert Moore, Attorney with the OSU Agricultural & Resource Law Program.

Topics discussed during this series include:

• Developing Goals for Estate and Succession
• Planning for the Transition of Control
• Planning for the Unexpected
• Communication and Conflict Management during Farm Transfer
• Legal Tools and Strategies
• Developing Your Team
• Getting Your Affairs in Order
• Selecting an Attorney

We encourage parents, children, and grandchildren to attend together to develop a plan for the future of your family farm.

In-Person Programs (note the Licking County option)

The following locations are hosting an in-person Planning for the Future of Your Farm workshop. Follow these links to learn more about these programs and register for the individual locations:

• December 4, 2024 – Fulton County (9:00 to 4:00 p.m.)
• January 23, 2025- Putnam County (9:00 to 4:00 p.m.)
• February 6, 2025- Pickaway County (10:00 to 4:00 p.m.)
• February 18, 2025- Clark County (9:00 to 4:00 p.m.)
• March 11 & 13, 2025- Wayne County (6:00 to 9:00 p.m.)
• March 13 & 18, 2025 – Licking County (6:00 to 9:00 p.m.)

Webinar Version

Attend the workshop from the comfort of your home on February 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2025 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. via Zoom. Because of its virtual nature, you can invite your parents, children, and/or grandchildren (regardless of where they live in Ohio or across the United States) to join you as you develop a plan for the future of your family farm. Pre-registration is required so that one packet of program materials can be mailed in advance to participating families. Electronic copies of the course materials will also be available to all participants. The registration fee is $99 per farm family.  The registration deadline is January 22, 2025.

Click here to access the registration link.

The 2025 in-person Farm Accounting with Quicken Workshops are scheduled for five Ohio locations, late January thru late February 2025.

Learn how to Customize the chart of accounts to align with the IRS Schedule F, Utilized sub-categories to track and manage critical farm input expenses, Allocate income and expenses to a farm enterprise, barn or farm location, Build reports that describe the farm finances in real-time, Explore how farm accounting can Do More Than a Tax Return.

Quicken Wksp Series 2025

Registration: Call or visit the OSU Extension county office hosting the workshop.

Auglaize County: 419-910-6050

Jefferson County: 740-264-2212

Ross County: 740-702-3200

Fairfield County: 740-653-5419

Seneca County:419-447-9722

Deadline to register: One week prior to the start of each workshop.

For questions, please call the OSU Extension county office hosting the workshop or contact: Wm. Bruce Clevenger, OSU Extension field specialist, farm management, at clevenger.10@osu.edu.

The Licking County Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting applications for a full time Program Analyst position. The FSA is an exciting and rewarding place to start, build, and/or continue your career.  Be part of our team and help support the well-being of Ohio agriculture and the American public.

FSA is seeking candidates with farming experience and/or knowledge to perform work in support of Ohio agriculture and farmers.  This position offers benefits, including health insurance that can be carried into retirement, 401(k) plan, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, and flexible work schedules.  Basic requirements include general office clerical work, record keeping, computer skills, organizational skills and good public relations skills.

This position is responsible for:

• Carrying out office activities and functions pertaining to one or more of the program areas administered in the county.
• Interpreting and explaining procedures, program regulations and forms to producers and other agency personnel.
• Utilizing various web-based software applications to maintain producer data and processing automated forms.
• Using a high degree of initiative and judgment in planning and carrying out assigned tasks and resolving problems encountered.

Individuals who are interested in applying for these job opportunities will apply online through USAJOBS website at www.usajobs.gov.  Applicants will enter the appropriate job announcement number below into the keyword search or click on the link below to complete and submit your application.  The current Ohio County FSA vacancy is open and ready to accept applications.  Click on the link below and select the Licking County position.

County Program Analyst (PA); Multiple Locations, CO-1101-5/7/9 – Announcement Number FSACO- 12650303-25-OH-KR
Application deadline: 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET): Friday, January 3, 2025

Applicants interested in learning more about these positions should establish a user profile through www.usajobs.gov.  Profiles offer the opportunity for interested individuals to search for positions by location and/or job titles, upload searchable resumes, and receive automated vacancy announcement updates.

Contact Aaron Stockberger at 740-670-5340 if you have specific questions regarding the position.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

December 9, 2024

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 31^st, 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

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For more information contact:

Eric Richer

richer.5@osu.edu

The long term drought conditions we have been experiencing in parts of the county this summer have created a major hardship to many farms and especially those grazing and feeding hay to livestock.  The USDA has made some disaster assistance available to all farms in Licking County with grazing animals.  I can’t think of any grazing animals that are excluded.  The Farm Service Agency is implementing these programs and will help you through the process.  Many livestock producers may not have experience working with the Farm Service Agency.  That will not stop you from receiving assistance.  The workers will walk you through the process and let you know what may be available to you.  The Licking County office number is 740-670-5340.  We have not reached the deadline to apply but don’t put it off.  Let your neighbors know about this also.  To make your appointment go smoothly please see the tips below. Continue reading Drought assistance for all Licking County grazing animals →

The Licking County Agricultural Hall of Fame was established to recognize those individuals who have demonstrated a life-long exemplary service to their community and the industry of agriculture.  We are currently accepting nominations.  If you have questions about nominating someone please call Dean at 740-670-5315.

The deadline for nominations is December 31st.

Inductees and families will be honored at a breakfast ceremony on March 28, 2025.

Nominations

Nominations may be made by any individual or organization by completing a nomination form and returning it to The Ohio State University Extension, Attn: Licking County Hall of Fame Committee, 771 E. Main St., Suite 103, Newark, OH 43055. Nominations forms can also be emailed to the OSU Licking County Extension Office at kreager.5@osu.edu.

Licking County Agricultural Hall of Fame Nomination Form

Some suggest during this year Southeastern Ohio experienced what might be the worst drought in our history. Regardless where it may rank, few of this generation have the experience of managing through a time when feed resources were in such short supply for a commodity as valuable as beef cattle and other ruminant livestock.

That said, please plan to join us in the Fairfield County Ag Center on Monday, December 2 beginning at 7 p.m. when we will explore not only feed management strategies for times such as these, but also the drought disaster relief programs presently available to farmers in much of Ohio. Representatives from Ohio State University Extension, USDA/NRCS and the Farm Service Agency will discuss feed alternatives, feed management strategies, Federal and State drought “disaster” programs and funding opportunities for both feed and water.

Reservations are encouraged but not required by contacting OSU Extension in Fairfield County (740-653-5419) or simply following this link: go.osu.edu/feedmanagement