Month: March 2025

Introducing FARMS: A Comprehensive Tool for Farm Transition Planning

By: Robert Moore

Farm transition planning is an essential process for agricultural operations. However, identifying and tracking assets and resources and preparing for transition planning can present significant challenges for farm families. To assist with these tasks, Ohio State University Extension has developed the Farm Asset and Resource Management Spreadsheet (FARMS), designed to provide a structured approach to organizing farm transition information.

What is FARMS?

FARMS is an Excel-based resource designed to support farm families and agricultural professionals in collecting and systematically organizing all necessary information related to farm transition planning. Whether at the preliminary stage or already engaged in detailed succession planning, FARMS enables users to input and manage varying levels of data effectively.  See example screenshots below for further explanation. Continue reading Introducing FARMS: A Comprehensive Tool for Farm Transition Planning →

BEEF Cattle Letter: March 26

Six new articles have been posted in this week’s issue number 1440 of the Ohio BEEF Cattle letter: http://u.osu.edu/beef/

This week we offer more about managing forages and feed supplies until pastures are fully recovered. And, don’t forget to join us this evening for the third session of this winter’s virtual Beef School as we look at a slightly different approach to managing opens and culls.

Articles this week include:

  • Early spring seeded forage to fill shortfalls
  • Was the grass dead or dormant?
  • Reclaiming Pugged Up Pastures
  • Register for the upcoming Certified Livestock Management (CLM) webinar series!
  • Cattle on Feed, Livestock Slaughter, and the Welcome Return of the July Cattle Report
  • Importance of Managing Inputs with High Cattle Prices

Newsletter release by Stan Smith, OSU Extension ANR Program Assistant, Fairfield County

Updated FactSheet on How and Why to Hire an Arborist Hot Off the Press

BYGL Article by Amy Stone and Joe Boggs

Just in time for the upcoming season, Ohio State University Extension’s FactSheet, How and Why to Hire an Arborist, has been updated and is posted on the Ohioline website. The updates include information about the different types of arborists and the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). There are also links to additional references and resources on the subject.

How and Why to Hire an Arborist:

https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1032

Check it out, share with others, and know that it is available online if the need to hire an arborist arises.

Enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act: To Be or Not To Be?

By:Jeffrey K. Lewis, Esq., Program Coordinator, Income Tax Schools Friday, March 21st, 2025

Today is the day! March 21, 2025, serves as the deadline for most businesses to report their beneficial ownership information (“BOI”) under the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”). But not so fast! While the prior statement is technically accurate, the situation has been complicated by statements and assurances from the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”). Here’s why.

March 21 Deadline
Over the past few months, we have closely followed and analyzed the ongoing developments surrounding the CTA in our blog posts. This ever-evolving saga has included nationwide injunctions and stays—both imposed and lifted—as well as multiple extensions of the BOI reporting deadline. You can review our previous posts here: Continue reading Enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act: To Be or Not To Be? →

BEEF Newsletter: March 19

Five new articles have been posted in this week’s issue number 1439 of the Ohio BEEF Cattle letter: http://u.osu.edu/beef/

This week it’s a lot about that commodity that many Ohio cattlemen are nearly out of . . . hay!

Articles this week include:

  • Check for Contaminants in Hay
  • NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: Improve Hay Quality in 2025
  • Beef School Session Focuses on Open Cows and Culls
  • Weekly Livestock Comments for March 14, 2025
  • Cattle Prices Hit New Highs

Newsletter release by Stan Smith, OSU Extension ANR Program Assistant, Fairfield County

Principles of Government: Federal Agencies

Sign of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in front of its building in Washington DC

Written by Peggy Kirk Hall, Attorney and Director, Agricultural & Resource Law Program

Written by Tyler Zimpfer, Law Fellow, National Agricultural Law Center

The beginning of a new presidential administration brings heightened awareness to areas of government that Americans don’t always consider, such as federal agencies. Recently, U.S. Senators have been reviewing the President’s nominees in confirmation hearings for leadership roles in federal agencies. These confirmation hearings matter. Nominees – often called a “secretary” or “director” – will oversee federal agencies with billion-dollar budgets and a federal workforce of over three million employees.  But why is our government structured this way? Are all federal agencies created the same? What powers do these agencies have? And how might a recent Supreme Court decision impact the future of federal agencies?

These questions are relevant to agriculture, because farmers constantly engage with federal agencies.  For example, the USDA administers programs through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that provides crop insurance, conservation funding, and financial assistance. The EPA oversees pesticide use, air pollution, and water quality laws that impact chemical use. Food producers and processors comply with health and safety standards set by the Food and Drug Administration and the Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Understanding the laws that establish and guide federal agencies is important for agriculture and is the focus of our third topic in the Principles of Government series.

Continue reading Principles of Government: Federal Agencies →

C.O.R.N. Newsletter: March 18-24

 

In this edition of the C.O.R.N. Newsletter:

  • Spring Nitrogen Recommendations for Winter Wheat – Laura Lindsey and Ed Lentz
  • Wheat To Beat Project: Year 1 Results – Laura Lindsey and Matthew Hankinson

C.O.R.N. Newsletter is a summary of crop observations, related information, and appropriate recommendations for Ohio crop producers and industry. C.O.R.N. Newsletter is produced by the Ohio State University Extension Agronomy Team, state specialists at The Ohio State University and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC). C.O.R.N. Newsletter questions are directed to Extension and OARDC state specialists and associates at Ohio State.

New Publication: “The Beginner’s Guide to Farmland Ownership”

Written by Robert Moore

Nearly 39% of the 880 million acres of farmland in the United States is leased, and in Ohio, this figure approaches 50%. Many individuals who inherit or purchase farmland have limited experience in agricultural management, creating uncertainty regarding effective land stewardship. To assist these novice farmland owners, Ohio State University’s Agricultural and Resource Law Program is pleased to announce the release of our latest publication, “The Beginner’s Guide to Farmland Ownership”, authored by Robert Moore, Attorney and Research Specialist at OSU. This practical, user-friendly resource is now available for download at farmoffice.osu.edu.

Owning farmland is not only a rewarding opportunity but also a significant responsibility, particularly for new landowners with limited farming experience. Whether you’ve inherited farmland or recently purchased it, navigating complex decisions such as leasing, selling, or managing alternative land uses can be challenging. This 48-page, comprehensive guide was developed to help new landowners understand and manage their farmland effectively.

“The Beginner’s Guide to Farmland Ownership” addresses key areas that every new landowner needs to understand. Topics include understanding farmland valuation, exploring leasing arrangements (cash rent, share rent, and flex leases), considerations when selling farmland, managing tax implications, and assessing alternative land uses such as renewable energy or conservation easements. Additionally, the guide explores strategies for protecting farmland through legal instruments and minimizing risk through insurance and business entities.

Visit farmoffice.osu.edu to access this publication.

Ohio legislators introduce carbon capture and storage bills

Written by Peggy Kirk Hall, Attorney and Director, Agricultural & Resource Law Program

As expected, proposed legislation to allow for carbon capture and storage wells (CCS) was introduced this week in the Ohio General Assembly.  The legislation opens the door for CCS underground injection wells to store captured carbon dioxide in “pore space” or cavities far beneath the land’s surface. As we explained in Part 1 and Part 2 of our CCS series, CCS technology removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and can also trigger final production in an oil or gas field. If passed, the new law would affect agricultural landowners, who could be asked to lease their “pore space” for CCS projects.

The identical CCS bills introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate are H.B. 170, sponsored by Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel (R-Columbiana) and Rep. Bob Peterson (R-Sabina) and S.B. 136, sponsored by Sen. Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster) and Sen. Brian Chavez (R-Marietta). The proposal varies in several places from a bill introduced late last year, the result of “fine tuning” by interested parties over the winter, according to Rep. Blasdel.

The proposed legislation includes clarification of the pore space property interest, a regulatory framework and fees for injection wells, consolidation or “pooling” provisions, well closure procedures, and liability provisions for carbon dioxide migration. Continue reading Ohio legislators introduce carbon capture and storage bills →

BEEF Cattle Letter: March 12

Six new articles have been posted in this week’s issue number 1438 of the Ohio BEEF Cattle letter: http://u.osu.edu/beef/

The 37th edition of the Ohio Beef Expo gets underway Thursday. While you’re there be sure to stop by and visit with OSU Extension Beef Team members at their booth in the Trade Show HALLWAY in the Voinovich.

Articles this week include:

  • 2025 Off to the Races
  • The Top Ten New Years’ Resolutions for Cow/Calf Producers
  • Considerations for perennial grass species selection when reseeding pasture
  • Don’t Underestimate the Cost of Late Calving Cows
  • Adding cull cows to drought contingency plans
  • Cattle Slaughter and Beef Production Check-In

Newsletter release by Stan Smith, OSU Extension ANR Program Assistant, Fairfield County